Beed teacher’s innovative style wins state award

PUNE: Somnath Walke has been teaching at a Zilla Parishad school in Pargaon Jogeshwari of Beed district for three-and-a-half years now and his classroom is unlike any other. In fact, it looks more like a rehearsal space.
Besides books and stationery items, there are musical instruments, tablets, a video-recorder, projector, smart board and an excited bunch of students eagerly waiting to learn a new concept.
Walke has been spicing up language lessons by transforming them into plays. Students turn protagonists while Walke tweaks the performances with music.
In recognition of his unconventional style of teaching language, the Maharashtra Academic Authority has presented Walke with the first prize in state innovation competition for primary schoolteachers.
When Walke first came to Pargaon Jogeshwari village, he noticed that absenteeism was a major problem among students. “I had to go and get students back to the class from their homes. While I was tackling this issue, I saw some students playing makeshift drums. That’s when I realized music was the way to their hearts,” said Walke.
He managed to get some musical instruments to the school through crowd funding and his own money. During Marathi lectures, students individually envision the drama. “Students work hard for their stories. While reading them out, their vocabulary improves and dialogue writing gives their language a boost. I tape each of these performances and hold discussions while screening them,” Walke said.
“Student attendance is 97-98% now,” said a proud Walke.