UP government schools get English Booster Club to improve students’ skills

LUDHIANA: The education department has decided to set up an English Booster Club (EBC), a unique initiative for qualitative development of students of Classes VI to XII, in government schools. The purpose is to eliminate hesitation and fear in the pronunciation of English among the students as well as to make them proficient in the language. The club has been formed in all government schools of the district.
“While increasing enrolment in government schools, when we talked to the parents of private schools, we used to hear that the teachers of government schools could not strengthen the children’s grasp of English and now the establishment of EBC will help in increasing enrolment in government schools as it will encourage healthy competition with private schools,” states Swaranjeet Kaur, district education officer.
“The EBC will be established in schools in two phases. In the first phase, the formation of the club at different levels, including schools, district and block and at the state level will be ensured. In this phase, which has been scheduled for one month, our objective is to make students shed their inhibitions and speak a few sentences in English on any given theme/topic without any help. Besides, guided video, sample audios and audio tapes will be shared by the state resource group to enhance listening skills, pronunciation and vocabulary of students and they will further reproduce the given content in their own way.”
In this regard, Ramneek Bala, block mentor, Mangat II and also English mistress at GSSS Kasabad said, “I have spent 10 years in private schools and the students at government schools are no way behind. Now, with EBCs being started by English teachers, it will give them a kick on an individual level. They will be encouraged and motivated to learn more skills. This will give them an environment to speak in English. The students are good in spoken English and now students will see the result.”
The activities to be carried out by the district mentors and block mentors under the EBC have also been outlined.
District mentor, English and SST, Subodh Verma and a social science master at GHS, Bhamia Kalan, said, “Some of the blocks have already started the club and they have started sharing videos. It is essential for every school where an English teacher will form the club. Three students of each class in each section will be included in the club and they will be taught. They will become motivation for other students. This is to strengthen students’ speaking competency and enabling them to overcome their language shyness and anxiety.”