Sub-collector of Tamil Nadu’s Cuddalore district (pop.2.6 million), Johny Tom Varghese is hell-bent on improving the quality of education dispensed in 559 government schools under his jurisdiction in the socio-economically backward district of Cuddalore. 

History. A mathematics and business management alumnus of Madras and Anna universities, Varghese began his career as a research associate in the Institute of Social Sciences, Delhi. Determined to become a social activist, he repeatedly wrote the civil services examination of the Union Public Service Commission, and finally passed in his third attempt in 2013. After a brief stint as assistant secretary in the Union ministry of mines, New Delhi, he was appointed sub-collector of Cuddalore in 2016.

Newspeg. Shocked and dismayed by the large number of first information reports (FIRs) registered in Cuddalore district against class XI-XII students of government schools for indulging in violent anti-social behaviour, Varghese conducted a research study of this disturbing phenomenon in early January, together with selected educationists, sociologists and academics. The study found that students in government primary-secondaries lacked aspiration because of limited exposure to the outside world and adopted boisterous unemployed youth in their community as their role models. “We believe it’s our responsibility to ensure that aggression and misbehaviour doesn’t spread to schools in other districts. Therefore, we came to the conclusion that community participation was required to succeed in our endeavour,” says Johny Tom Varghese.

As a first step towards creating conducive learning environments for teenage students, the Cuddalore district administration together with Kaani Nilamum Mupporumai Aniyum, an activists group, started a series of workshops in May to teach children personality development and team building life skills.

Direct talk. “The workshop modules are designed to encourage free and friendly interaction between senior students. The curriculum has been developed bearing in mind the socio-cultural practices prevalent in their communities. Children are taught life skills such as collaboration and teamwork through games and creative activities, and exposed to new ideas and social concepts through short films, documentaries and open discussions. We have also incorporated puppetry, story-telling, mime, music, dance and elocution to encourage self-expression and develop communication skills. Our aim and purpose is to develop self-confidence and positive personalities of delinquent children by exposing them to inspirational role models, teach them the rationale of respecting the law and warn them against becoming pawns of politicians and political parties,” says Johny Tom Varghese.

Future plans: Although since transferred to Ramathapuram district as assistant director (fisheries), Varghese has ensured that the Cuddalore district administration, local community and the activists group continue to work together to enforce a model code of conduct comprising 17 rules framed by them, in all government schools. “We are working out plans for systematically rolling out similar workshops in all government schools of the district. In the near future, we also plan to conduct workshops to address issues pertaining to menstrual health, personal hygiene, sanitation and civic duty,” says this zealous reformer. 

Shivani Chaturvedi (Chennai)