Madurai, Nov 16: China has sought the Tamil Nadu government’s support to introduce the Activity Based Learning (ABL) methodology being implemented in government schools in the State.
A communication was received from officials in China following a recent visit of a Chinese delegation that undertook a study tour to various schools in which ABL is implemented under the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan programme and saw for themselves the classroom practices.
Resource support
M.P. Vijayakumar, Honorary Advisor, SSA (Tamil Nadu), told The-Hindu here on Sunday that resource support was sought from Tamil Nadu for launching the innovative teaching-learning methodology in China on an experimental basis.
“The team that visited schools in Chennai, Madurai and Coimbatore recently was impressed with ABL. I got a mail from them three days ago expressing their desire to introduce it for Chinese students,” he said.
A 19-member Chinese delegation comprising schoolteachers and education department officials met School Education Minister Thangam Thennarasu in Chennai on October 26 during their five-day visit to Tamil Nadu.
Mr. Vijayakumar, who was earlier the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan State Project Director, said he would discuss the matter with the Minister on how to extend support to China.
“They want material support for starting ABL and some training. The Chinese delegation was impressed with the way our students of government schools were enthusiastic in classrooms because of the interactive learning and teaching style,” he said.
According to Mr. Vijayakumar, the response from the Chinese delegation was proof of the effectiveness of ABL at the primary school level for all subjects, be it science, mathematics or any other subject.
School Education Department officials took the delegation to schools in Tiruvallur, Kancheepuram, Madurai and Coimbatore.
In Tamil Nadu, ABL is being implemented in 37,486 schools, Mr. Vijayakumar informed.
Confidence level
When contacted, Mr. Thennarasu said the Chinese delegation, which met him after visiting a few schools, had told him that they were impressed with the confidence level of students and how they were able to take questions boldly.
A 19-member delegation visited schools in the State recently
“Their response is proof of effectiveness of ABL at the primary school level for all subjects”
–Agencies