Sudheer Jalagam, an NRI from Telangana who lives in Issaquah, Washington, is going all out to improve the quality of education in government schools in India.
Jalagam has been sharing practices followed in US schools with stakeholders in the state. He hopes to improve parental participation and levels of education.
Outreach methods like ‘tea with headmaster’ and ‘coffee with the principal’ plans, practised in US schools, will help parents and teachers discuss issues pertaining to the school and resolve them.
“In the US, 90 per cent of parents send their children to government schools. Schools in Telangana too should be developed in such a way that parents will voluntarily join them in government schools,” Jalagam said.
The initiative will ensure improvement in infrastructure, new methods of learning, among other requirements.
The concept has already been introduced in two schools, the government school at Venkatrampuram, Kodad in Suryapet district, and Zilla Parishad High School, Almaspur in Sircilla district.
Tod Wood, principal of Clarks Elementary School, Seattle, wrote to K Chandrasekhar Rao, chief minister of Telangana, expressing his appreciation after hearing about the move.
In his letter on April 16, Wood, said he was excited and encouraged to learn of the amazing efforts of school staff in partnering with families and students to accomplish things. He also appreciated the conduct of digital classes and the school’s expanded library. Wood said the Clark Elementary School in Issaquah partners with the community to provide the best for its 760 students.
“I have seen photographs of the school and it looks beautiful,” he said.