Special Report

Summer vacation reading for teachers

With informal surveys indicating that over 90 percent of India’s teachers seldom read books other than curriculum texts, EducationWorld asked educationists, counsellors and school principals across the country to recommend summer vacation reading for teachers. Summiya Yasmeen reports

It’s axiomatic that an education institution is as good as the sum of its teachers. Ditto the nation’s education system. Yet if a nation’s primary and secondary school teachers are tunnel vision professionals with few interests beyond their prescribed textbooks, how good can its education system be?

Depressingly, informal surveys conducted by EducationWorld correspondents countrywide among educationists, school principals and education NGOs, indicate that over 90 percent of India’s 5.5 million school teachers seldom read books other than curricular texts and related commentaries. With pedagogies moving from rote learning to developing creative thinking and problem-solving skills of children, the knowledge deficiency of the teachers community is beginning to impact classrooms across the country. Moreover given that India’s 1.20 million primaries and 152,000 secondaries with an aggregate enrollment of 200 million students are lumbered with obsolete syllabuses, it’s imperative for teachers to be well-read to stimulate creative thinking and innovation within their classrooms.

"It’s well-known that the great majority of India’s school teachers don’t read beyond prescribed school textbooks. This is because the school education system restricts teacher accountability to ensuring students get good exam grades. Beyond this role, there is little expectation. Moreover as evidenced by the dearth of public libraries, there’s hardly a reading culture in Indian society. Not just teachers, most other professionals do little extra-curricular reading. Yet for teachers it’s important to be well-read because their role as educators requires them to learn continuously so that they are equipped to encourage and motivate children to expand their horizons through reading and learning," says Usha Devi, head of the Centre for Human Resource Development at the Institute for Social and Economic Change, Bangalore.

Elementary Education in India 2005-06, published by the Delhi-based National University of Educational Planning & Administration (NUEPA), says that only 46.41 percent of government primary schools across the country have a "book-bank in school". And most often these "book-banks" are rudimentary reading rooms with a hand-ful of volumes. Moreover EEI 2005-06 has smashed the myth that teachers don’t have the time to teach and/or read because they are over-burdened with non-teaching assignments. The report says, "85 out of 100 teachers in rural areas were not involved in non-teaching assignments compared to 90 out of 100 teachers in the urban areas".

In India’s 191,000 independent schools, the reasons for teachers being ill-read are not rooted in infrastructure and funds shortages. Obsessed with examination success, parental and school management expectations of teachers revolve around syllabus completion, monitoring homework and correcting answer scripts. "In private schools as well, except perhaps for a handful of avant-garde institutions, teachers are notoriously ill-read. Even though most independent schools have reasonably well-stocked libraries, teachers don’t use them. This is because school managements assess teachers’ performance on board exam results, not on their knowledge quotient. Encouraging teachers to read and investing in in-service training is low on their agendas. Moreover I think teachers in private schools have an attitude problem — they think they know it all and don’t experience the need for reading," says a Mumbai-based school principal who preferred to remain anonymous.

Yet there’s no denying that the teachers’ profession demands its practitioners are well-read and up-to-date with trends in the literary world. And it’s never too late to start, especially with the summer vacation round the corner. EducationWorld asked an eclectic mix of educationists, teacher trainers, counsellors and school principals across the country to recommend a summer vacation reading list for teachers.

Mallika Mani is director of Srikriti — the Teacher Education Centre, Chennai. an alumnus of Madras and Sheffield (UK) universities, Mani is a master trainer (appointed by Cambridge University, UK) for heads and senior teachers of international schools in India. Her summer reading list for teachers:

A Passion for Teaching by Christopher Day (Routledge Falmer)

A celebration of teachers who believe they can make a difference to the teaching-learning process. There are times in a teacher’s working life when she gets cynical, frustrated and tired. This is the book to grab to rejuvenate yourself. Like a spa treatment it will rev you up for classroom teaching.

Advising and Supporting Teachers by Mick Randall et al (Cambridge University Press)

This most dog-eared book in my collection will prove useful for clearing doubts. A handy self-help manual, it’s an awesome resource for teacher trainers who take their mentoring and coaching role seriously.

500 Tips for Working with Children with Special Needs by Betty Vahid et al (Kogan Page Ltd)

A great reference book, it covers a wide spectrum of special needs and offers many practical suggestions for experimentation in classrooms. Besides highlighting contemporary practices such as differentiation and multiple intelligences, it also features checklists on how to identify ‘at risk’ learners in classrooms.

Introduction to Integral Education by Sraddhalu Ranade (Sri Aurobindo International Institute for Educational Research)

A collection of transcripts from workshops conducted by Sraddhalu Ranade, a respected teacher educator, it brims with high ideals and practical wisdom. From MI (multiple intellig-ences) to EQ (emotional quotient), contemporary education pedagogies are discussed in an easy-to-read narrative style. Most importantly, it isn’t a self-help book with a list of quick fixes — it touches and elevates a teacher’s spirit.

Am I Teaching Well? by Lisa Hayes et al (Teachers’ Professional Development)

As a teacher educator, I have observed hundreds of teachers in classrooms and assessed and debriefed their lessons and teaching styles. It’s a wonderful learning experience to watch a well-crafted lesson unfold, but it’s disappointing that very few teachers reflect after a teaching session. Am I Teaching Well? prompts teachers to become reflective practitioners. It helps and leads teachers through a lifelong learning loop. Available from amazon.com

Sabharwal’s summer list

An alumnus of Harvard Business School, Kavita Gupta Sabharwal is founder of Neev Schools, a chain of pre-schools in Bangalore, with a mission "to impact education across India".

Frames of Mind — The Theory of Multiple Intelligences by Howard Gardner (Basic Books)

Gardner’s original work on the multiple intelligences (MI) theory has profoundly impacted academic thought around the world. Indeed, Gardner’s path-breaking research is the starting point of modern education. In India application of the MI theory in classrooms has a long way to go, given the purely academic focus and narrow definition of achievement for children. This is one book all teachers must read.

Five Minds for the Future by Howard Gardner (Harvard Business School Publishing)

Five Minds for the Future looks straight through the windscreen, preparing readers for the world. It advises individuals to cultivate five minds — the disciplined, the synthesising, the creative, the respectful and last but not least, the ethical mind. Moving beyond how people learn, create and think, this book is about how people make an impact.

The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho (Harper Collins)

A favourite for all ages, the message of The Alchemist is that when you really want something, the world conspires with you to make it happen. Spun as a fable around a shepherd boy who has the courage to follow his dreams, this book will inspire teachers to encourage their students to dream big.

First Steps toward Teaching the Reggio Way by Joanne Hendrick (Prentice Hall)

A simple hands-on book about serious teachers and how they can put into practice the path-breaking pre-school curriculum pioneered by the parents of Reggio Emilia, a village in north Italy. It gives teachers an insight into children’s minds and how they build knowledge. A refreshing read on how to create simple but rich learning environments.

Blink by Malcolm Gladwell (Time Warner Book Group)

When one develops expertise in an area to a level that within a blink you know the answer, that’s intuition! Gladwell’s captivating book is an exciting analysis of numerous such examples in very diverse areas and how the ‘blink’ works. From Blink teachers will learn some stimulating ways of developing their students’ creative thinking and innovation skills.

Nalini Sharad is principal of the City Montessori School, Lucknow

Lives on the Boundary by Michael Rose (Penguin Books)

Mandatory for both parents and teachers to understand ‘problem children’ who can’t cope with the rigours of language, literature and writing. Rose argues that children who are unprepared for education are actually capable of much more than they are given credit for. He calls for a re-examination of evaluation techniques and curriculums applicable to ‘problem’ children.

Pedagogy of the Oppressed by Paulo Freire (Penguin Books)

A searing indictment of the unequal and unjust nature of the traditional educational system. It debunks some of the most popularly held tenets of educational systems (such as teachers know everything, the students nothing; the teacher teaches and the students are taught, etc) and calls for a process of humanisation through which the distinction between the oppressor and the oppressed is erased.

Teaching from the Heart: Reflections, Encouragement, and Inspiration by Sharon Draper (Heinemann)

This book spurs teachers to re-discover the love of teaching. A compilation of essays, conversations and poems that can be read randomly, it is recommended reading for parents, students and policy makers to better understand the pains and pleasures of the teaching profession.

Wings of Fire by APJ Abdul Kalam

The story of an ordinary boy from a remote village who reaches extraordinary heights, it appeals to the collective soul. It is about taking risks, enhancing self-esteem and infinite belief in the power of self. 

To Sir with Love by ER Braithwaite (Jove Books)

Often decried as simplistic, with facile solutions, it’s a classic novel that highlights what a dedicated teacher can accomplish. I read the book years ago and keep going back to it.

Food for the mind

An education alumna of the University of Pennsylvania, Gauri Kirtane-Vanikar is education manager of Akanksha, a Mumbai-based education NGO.

Teaching Goodness by Dr. Joan Goodman and Dr. Usha Balamore (Allyn & Bacon)

This book is a must read in these fast-paced times. Its emphasis is on the moral development of children by getting them to understand the concept of ‘goodness’ which involves sharing, kindness, compassion, empathy. It’s a wonderful and practical introduction to the teaching of values and morality — an integral aspect of education.

Totto Chan by Tetsuko Kuroyanagi (Kodanshu International)

A description of an ideal school in Tokyo during World War II which combined learning with fun, freedom, and love. This unusual school had old railroad cars for classrooms, and was run by an extraordinary individual — its founder and headmaster Sosaku Kobayashi — who was a firm believer in freedom of expression and creativity.

Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences by Howard Gardner (BasicBooks)

A good introduction to the theory of multiple intelligences developed by educationist Howard Gardner. The theory is based on the assumption that children have different types of intelligences and they constantly draw on them to learn and develop.

The Absorbent Mind by Maria Montessori (Delta)

An in-depth analysis of Montessori’s theory of learning based on years of scientific observation of children. Montessori’s theories are particularly interesting in the light of recent neurological discoveries related to critical periods and language development in children.

The Psychology of the Child by Jean Piaget (Basic Books)

A comprehensive introduction to child development based on Piaget’s intensive research and study of young children, this book is strongly recommended for early childhood and primary school teachers.

Valli Arunachalam is principal of Chennai’s highly reputed Padma Seshadri Bal Bhavan Senior Secondary School. A mathematics and education graduate and English postgrad of Madras University, she was appointed principal in 2005.

Freedom Next Time by John Pilger (Black Swan)

A journalist and filmmaker, John Pilger’s central thesis is that freedom decreed by politicians and freedoms enjoyed by the people are miles apart. A vivid depiction of politics and terrorism provoked by a ruthless political order with bombs, bullets and bloodshed. A must read for everyone.

A Long way Gone by Ishmael Beah (Farrar, Straus and Giroux)

A harrowing description of wars waged with child soldiers. The book recounts how deprived of education, children are transformed into hard-core militants and how irresponsible adult decisions result in children losing their childhood. The core message: don’t propagate war and enmity among children.

The Weather Makers by Tim Flannery (Text Publishing)

This book enumerates and indicts man for the devastation inflicted on nature and environment. Environmental degradation has to be curtailed, as it could lead to a holocaust. The book discusses solutions too.

Temptations of the West by Pankaj Mishra (Farrar, Straus and Giroux)

An autobiographical amalgam of history, philosophy and travel. Western philosophy is well interpreted and Mishra eloquently expounds on how to be modern in India, Pakistan and beyond. Several major conflicts and philosophic dilemmas of the subcontinent are highlighted.

Elizabeth Mehta is a well-known Mumbai-based educational development and training consultant and founder-director of Muktangan, a pilot school project in the city. An alumna of Leeds (UK) and Mumbai universities, mehta was former project director of the Aga Khan Educational Services and boasts rich teaching experience (Queen Mary’s and Bombay International School).

If You Want Your Child to be Rich and Happy, Don’t Send Your Child to School by Robert T. Kiyosaki (Aslan Publishing)

The unique premise of this book is that schools don’t teach children the skills required to make money and/or be happy. Teachers will love the two chapters: ‘My child is doing fine’ and ‘God doesn’t create stupid people, our educational system does’.

Prashika — Eklavya’s Innovative Experiment in Primary Education (Eklavya)

The extensive field-based research of the Eklavya team which is detailed in Prashika explains why it’s important for teachers to accord top priority to developing children’s speaking and listening skills. It also elucidates the benefits of greater student-teacher interaction.

Where the Child is without Fear — The SERVE System of Education by Brendon MacCarthaigh

In this well-written book, MacCarthaigh first identifies some dominant characteristics of Indian society — gregariousness, tactility, time inefficiency, conservativeness, secrecy, disrespect for privacy and God-centredness. He then goes on to describe the SERVE system of collaborative classroom learning which he says, is ideal for a society with the above characteristics.

Finally, I would like to recommend all the books by John Holt (eg. Why Children Fail, How Children Learn) and the numerous papers/books published by Shikshantar of Udaipur. They will challenge every teacher/reader’s opinion regarding education and schooling.

Aruna Bhardwaj’s prescription

Aruna Bhardwaj is principal, the Gurukul, a CBSE-affiliated school in Chandigarh.

Raising a Reader by Paul Kropp (Broadway)

In the contemporary age of cable television, internet and computer games when the reading habit is endangered, this book gives teachers and parents some innovative ideas to promote the reading habit among children.

Chicken Soup for Working Women by Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Patty Aubery, C&M Donnel (Westland Books)

A good companion for career women — including teachers — dispensing tips on how to maintain a judicious balance between the workplace and domestic life.

Living with Honour by Shiv Khera (Full Circle Publishing)

A self-improvement book detailing how an individual can develop self-confidence, self esteem and positivism.

How Children Learn by John Holt (Pitman)

In this enlightening volume, the renowned educator/author argues that children shouldn’t be forced to learn, told what to learn, or shown how to learn. His advice to parents and teachers is that learning is as natural as breathing and exhorts educators to encourage children to solve problems and learn by themselves in the process.

Emotional Intelligence by Daniel Goleman (Bantam)

This marvellous work explains how emotional intelligence can be nurtured and strengthened throughout life. Goleman questions the normative narrow definition of intelligence which ignores a crucial range of abilities that greatly matter in life.

Lt. Col. A. Sekhar is principal of Rashtriya Military School, Ajmer (Rajasthan)

Schools that Learn by Peter Senge (Nicholas Brealey Publishing)

Senge is one of the world’s foremost management gurus whose book The Fifth Discipline is considered a management bible by Harvard Business Review. A must read for educators, parents and most importantly, education administrators. Replete with examples, it’s a great resource book on life-long learning and community involvement in education.

How to have a Beautiful Mind and Lateral Thinking by Edward de Bono (Harper & Row)

Although not an easy read, this celebrated book will open the minds of teachers to change and encourage them to think out of the box.

Differentiated School Leaders by Jane Kise & Beth Russell (Sage Publications)

Essential reading for all school leaders, current and aspiring. It demonstrates how school leaders can motivate their faculty effectively and successfully.

The Leadership Moment by Michael Useem (Random House)

Recounts nine inspiring true stories of triumph over adversity. Certain to inspire teachers, who are natural nurturers of leaders.

Wings of Fire by APJ Abdul Kalam

This audio book, an abridged version of the life and times of Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, is inspirational and deeply moving. Narrated resonantly by Girish Karnad, it’s excellent listening material for teachers and students.

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