Preventing early dropouts... By Anwar
09 January, 2013
Due to use of internet, text messaging, video games and lack of interest in reading and writing, children and teenagers are having problems in academic areas such as spelling, reading, mathematicss and writing. If this trend continues, most probably there may be more students facing problems related to learning disabilities in the future. Already such students are labelled 'slow learners' and discouraged to the extent that they leave school. This may be one of the reasons of our high dropout rate, which is 50 percent. In order to overcome the problem, some thinking and planning is required today. At the initial stage, all educational institutions should organise screening tests at the primary and elementary levels. This would identify students having problems in different academic areas. Secondly, awareness campaigns need to be launched for teachers and parents, providing them with information about learning disabilities and remedies. Leaflets, posters and booklets can be prepared for this purpose. Seminars and workshops can also be organised. Thirdly, the teacher training and parents' guidance programmes and courses should be launched and remedial programmes introduced. If this initiative is taken early, it can have many positive outcomes. Such caring gestures and future planning will help to overcome future academic problems. Psychologically, negative propaganda can be countered through positive thinking and display of our patriotic concern through action. Such planning will contribute to a lower dropout rate along with the projection of quality education. It will also enhance harmony and solidarity on the national level. ANWAR PARVEEN
Islamabad
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