Now, extra marks for good handwriting

Shivani Bhakoo

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, January 24

To encourage the students in primary classes to improve their handwriting, the Education Department (Elementary) Punjab has decided to give five extra marks in exams to those having good handwriting.

A letter in this regard was issued to all District Education Officers (Elementary Education) on January 21 by the Director, Education Department, Punjab. According to ‘Parho Punjab, Parhao Punjab’, it is important to encourage students in Government Primary Schools to improve their handwriting.

The department stated that good handwriting can help develop the personality of children. The department wants that children should be encouraged to write beautifully from initial classes and has asked the teachers to encourage students to work on their handwriting. Students should be told about how to write words in straight line. The department has stated that child having good handwriting will be given five extra marks.

However, the letter in this regard has not reached many schools. Primary teacher Kiranjit Kaur from Government Primary School, Brahampura, said though the letter has not been received, still teachers were focusing on improving the handwriting of students. “They are asked to write in straight lines, various writing competitions are held to motivate them to improve handwriting,” she said.

Sunita, mother of a Class III student, says with such small initiatives by the government, there will be great improvement in government schools. “It is a general impression that not much attention is paid to the performance of children in government schools, but if a few measures are taken and teachers work sincerely, we can make a good difference,” said she.