Role  of a Pupil

• active participant in the learning process.

• acts as a researcher

• sharer of information

• sharer of responsibilities

• collects information

• takes leadership

• involves in group work.

• acts as a co-participant

• observes his environment

• experiments and realises ideas

• makes interpretations and draws inferences.

Rights of the pupil

A curriculum which aims at comprehensive development of the student must take into consideration international perspective.  Following are the main ideas about rights of children put forward by the UNO.

• Irrespective of sex, are children must be given opportunities to form and express their ideas and due importance should be given for their ideas.  
  

• All children must be given freedom of expression.  They should have unlimited freedom to know and search for ideas and to select writing, print or art medium to express their ideas.  
  

• Parents and elders must discharge the duty to develop the abilities of children.
  

• Education must realize the total development of physical and mental faculties of children according to individual abilities and creative skills.  
  

• The child should have the right to enjoy leisure time, involve in recreational activities and artistic and cultural life.  
  

• The rights of children should not be violated in arbitrary and undemocratic ways.  Democratic atmosphere must be ensured in class rooms.  Children should be protected from torture, cruelty and inhuman behaviour.  Insulting behaviour and punishment must be avoided.

Knowingly or unknowingly activities contrary to the spirit of the above rights take place often in our class rooms, schools and the society.  This must change.

Child friendly classroom atmosphere

Learning can be effective and enjoyable only when the class room atmosphere is according to the new conception of learning and the characteristics of the higher secondary student.  The school and the class room should be made attractive for the student. What are the features of a student friendly classroom?

• Class and seating are arranged in an attractive way.

• Democratic nature is upheld.

• Always active

• Students interact with teachers without fear.

• Opportunity for a variety of activities

• Students are allowed to involve in interesting group activities.

• Learning speed, learning style and differing levels of abilities are considered.  Help is extended whenever needed.

• Sufficient instructional materials are available.

• Learning aids and other material made from natural objects and low cost materials by teachers and children are available.

• There is freedom of expression, children share their ideas and experiences.

• Walls are decorated with pictures, photographs of scientists etc.

• Children are given acceptance and encouragement

• Healthy atmosphere

• Needs of each child is given consideration.  Happy and energetic atmosphere.

• Teachers work considering the rights of the children.

• Problems handled in a patient way.

• Teachers look at all events from the child’s viewpoint.