The class parent meeting took place from 9:30 to 11:15 on Saturday.  We
had representatives from parents of children of classes 1, 2, 3, 4, 6,
7, 10.  This time we decided to work from higher classes down to the
lower classes (as opposed to the last time), and the order in the
minutes reflect this.

Announcements:

Cheers! The school now has a permanent teacher for computers, and a new
librarian.  Principal also mentioned that (thanks to IIT administration,
Estate Office) a few serious infrastructure issues will be addressed
shortly.  The homework timetable has been given to each class -- this
means that your child NEED NOT bring the homework book to class every
single day -- but only on the days the homework is due (the homework
itself can be given any day).



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Points made by parents

1. Lot of pressure happens during the inspection time.  

   Response: There are planned and unplanned inspections. As a general
   statement, (esp in a govt organization) it helps in keeping
   staff,students on schedule. However some more planning will be put
   into this.

2. Internal marks.  Will children not taking tuition suffer?  That is,
   it may happen that performance (internal:projects, assignment,
   practical exams) of students who do not take extra guidance is below
   that of the rest, while the difference in the
   performance in final exam is not perceptible.

   Response: As a general rule, tuition by KV teachers is a serious
   disregard of the service conduct rules.  Any problem should be
   brought to the attention of the management. That said, the final exam
   theory paper comes from the board. The (internal) practical exam also
   sees most (if not all) children getting high marks.

3. (School) Extra classes during Dussehara holidays. Why?

   Response: This is only to devote more attention to children who are
   lagging behind.


4. Practice papers for Std. X.  Can it shared with all sections?

   Yes. Every year school provides extra study material & model question
   paper sets for preperation of board exams. This year also it will
   distrubuted shortely.

5. Old rotten dumped furniture might cause health hazard. 

   Response: School just got approval to get rid of the assets marked in
   the books.  These will be disposed off shortly.

6. This parent conveyed appreciation for open day and mentioned that
   several problems got sorted out.  That said, he mentioned about the
   general breeding of mosquitoes in the stagnant water in the school
   ground.  Cutting of grass is needed.

   School will work with IIT on this.  Of course, fumigation has
   happened twice already.

7. Children should not be forced to participate in extra curricular
   activities, and any activity that takes the child out of the
   classroom, said this parent.  Likewise, said another, every attempt
   should be made to involve different children for extra curricular
   activities.

8. Syllabus and portion for the exams should be given.

   Response: Split syllabus will be given shortly to the children. 


9. Projects are often done by parents. 
   
   Response: A new rule is coming from the Education Board that will
   require children to do (roughly speaking) investigatory projects, and
   that too in the school premises.  The details are awaited

10. How to get a 5 day week?

    Response: Write to the KV Board of Governors. It has to be a general
    protest/scientific suggestion from the community (Shalet Fernandes is
    coordinating this, so please contact her when the appropriate
    message comes out from her).

    Note that a child cannot study "too much" in one day said the prior
    education reforms.

11. Corporal punishment is completely unacceptable. Proper guidelines
    have been given to each and every teacher and in writing (Hindi and
    English) 

12. Textbooks.  Can something be done for the batch that has been
    suffering year after year because of change of textbook and syllabus
    (namely current 4th and 7th). 

    Response: This is a general decision from the Ed. Board.  Of course
    parents can team up (via PTA) to get some copies as soon as the
    books are ready (or print it via the Internet copy). Extra expenses
    will have to be borne by parents.

13. Furniture problems.

    School has spent the budget for this year already  -- about 80 desks
    have been purchased.  It is working with IIT. Furniture in Class I
    is sufficient.

14. Extra curricular activities such as Cyber Olympiad and Painting
    competition.

    School has been encouraging this. A group of parents could assist in
    the process whenever the event is a "private event". The Nature Club
    has been started.

15. Toilets.

    IIT is making two more toilets. Cleaning staff has started cleaning
    twice a day.

16. Electrical complaints in school classroom (e.g. insufficient light in
    IIIA or fan regulator)

    This is handled by IIT administration. Do try and talk to concerned
    office using your contacts.

17. Photocopying machine, projection system for class I. 

    This is being looked into by IIT administration


The meeting ended with the parents conveying their thanks to the
Principal and the School.