Teachers should encourage students to ask questions, urge speakers. PHOTO: FILE
She was in conversation with Oxford University Press managing director, Ameena Saiyid, during a session titled 'How to Promote Critical Thinking in Classrooms' at the Teacher's Literature Festival on Sunday.
"The art of asking questions and the desire to gain more knowledge is critical thinking," said Saiyid, while explaining the term.
The current system of schooling is failing to encourage children to read and develop critical thinking. "There is a dire need for children-centric learning and not teacher-centric," explained Dawood.
Teachers as facilitators
Speaking about the ways the system can be changed and improved, Dawood said teachers should function as facilitators to allow students to explore things on their own. The teachers need to realise that it is their duty to encourage students to think out-of-the-box and read, she added.
Teachers should allow their students to question them, remarked Saiyid. Let the students challenge and even ask senseless questions. "Our teachers feel offensive if a student asks many questions," she said, adding that teachers should have the confidence to answer questions raised by students.
Parents' role
Parents should become role models for their children and encourage them to develop critical thinking skills, rather than spending excessive time on their mobile phones or televisions, said Saiyid.
Parents should buy more books than spending money on designer wear or fancy food, she claimed. "Parents should subscribe at least one newspaper and magazine at home so that children develop the habit of reading from home," Saiyid added.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 29th, 2016.
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