Schools | Citizen Matters, Chennai

“Effective online teaching needs longer preparation, much greater effort; why should it cost less?”

July 21, 2020 Aruna Natarajan

An in-depth interview on online schooling, its pros and cons and its long term potential, with Balaji Sampath, a passionate educational activist and entrepreneur.

Teaching kids at home during the COVID-19 pandemic: A guide for parents

April 1, 2020 Mahesh V

As the pandemic forces schools and learning spaces to shut down operations, parents must learn to embrace and explore the potential of homeschooling – for the short haul or the long term.

Unethical medical practices a huge concern: Chennai nutritionist Divya Satyaraj

December 28, 2019 Swati Amar

Divya Satyaraj speaks to Citizen Matters on her work on health and nutrition among children, adolescents and pregnant women and the overall reforms needed in healthcare.

Chennai Buzz: Schools begin to feel water crisis | Electric buses soon in city | App to track traffic violators | Round-the-clock shopping… and more

June 10, 2019 News Desk

The impact of the water crisis, measures to make roads safer and new plans for environmentally cleaner commute — read about these and more in our weekly recap of news from the city.

Meet Dr Jayakumar, MP-elect from Thiruvallur

May 28, 2019 Aruna Natarajan

Dr K Jayakumar of the INC unseated the incumbent two-time MP from ADMK to win Thiruvallur. He has previously served as the Namakkal MLA.

Chennai Buzz: 50 schools wait for recognition | Hotels face severe water crisis | Metro sees record passengers…and more

May 19, 2019 News Desk

The uncertain future of more than 50 Chennai schools, the plight of the restaurant industry in times of water scarcity and some news of hope for conservancy workers — read about all of this and more in this week’s news wrap.

This is how Election Commission and public entities are sensitising citizens to vote

April 16, 2019 Laasya Shekhar

Ahead of elections to the 17th Lok Sabha, Greater Chennai Corporation and public entities conduct back-to-back awareness campaigns, emphasising the right and duty to vote.

Chennai school kids come together at hackathon to solve civic problems

February 4, 2019 Aruna Natarajan

Can a motley group of school students aged 8 to 13 suggest and devise solutions to problems such as air pollution, waste management and water scarcity? Yes, they can and the Sarvalokaa Hackathon in the city gave them a platform to showcase their innovative solutions.

Chennai Buzz: City stares at acute water crisis | Teachers’ stir | Smart cards at RTO ..and more!

January 28, 2019 News Desk

Did you miss reading up on the looming water crisis or the strike by government school teachers? Catch that and other news from around the city in our weekly roundup !

DIY science in Chennai neighbourhoods

November 29, 2018 Aruna Natarajan

A city-based start-up is bringing the excitement of a scientific laboratory to children through neighbourhood camps to pique their interest in science.

No fans, no cooking arrangement: Inside anganwadis in Chennai’s relocated slums

September 26, 2018 Laasya Shekhar

A recent study exposes the harsh realities of Anganwadi centres in resettlement colonies of Perumbakkam, Navalur and Gudapakkam and the lack of adequate schools in the vicinity.

Chennai buzz: Property tax hike relief for residential buildings, shrinking coastline, sewage tankers’ stir and more!

July 30, 2018 News Desk

Did you follow the news last week? In case you were busy and failed to do so, here are some key happenings that will affect large groups of citizens.

Human values can be induced through storytelling: Bhavna Singh

July 13, 2018 S Chandramouli

Stories can be told through sound, words and visuals. Stories expressed through sound are mostly songs and spoken tales. Novels, short-stories, ballards and poetry are stories expressed with words. Finally combining words, sound and visuals

Spreading the message with colours: Residents paint an old school wall at RA Puram

June 13, 2018 V Shivkumar

From cleaning streets to beautifying the wall of a corporation school, residents in RA Puram reiterate the importance of citizens’ participation, especially children, in maintaining our public spaces

Chennai Buzz: Namma Chennai App, promise of a new airport, lake adoption and more!

May 7, 2018 Sandhya Raju

A new app for citizens to report problems and grievances, cheer for air travellers, hope for our waterbodies and mandatory safety checks for schools – in this week’s news round up.