Language and Language Teaching, Issue 2 - Azim Premji Foundation

There was a lot of resistance, but it was notagainst English alone. Several quarters launchedmassive attacks against issue-based curriculum,and the critical approach it envisaged. TheGovernment of Kerala democratically tackledthe debate and the polemics that were generatedin the state. However, since there was a highlymotivated and convinced group of peopleworking with me, I could face the criticism withease. Besides, those who criticised were notready for any intellectual debate; nor did theypropose any alternatives.PKJ: How far have your ideas beenincorporated in the current English textbooks ofthe state level schools in Kerala? Are you happywith them?KNA: I am happy with the textbooks, thoughthere are certain areas that need to be revisited.In any case, no textbook should run for morethan five years. Besides, I do not fully endorsetop-driven models; models must be evolved atthe bottom level with the ownership of theteachers, the people, and the community ingeneral.PKJ: In spite of an increasing acceptance ofsome of your ideas in the Kerala academia,there is a lot criticism of the books that havebeen produced under your guidance. You havebeen accused of idealism, and not understandingthe reality of Kerala. How do you respond tothese criticisms?KNA: I have been criticized for being adreamer and an idealist. In a democracy, anyonewho initiates a change will be criticized. As Iam a student of critical pedagogy, I think thateven my models should be critically examined.At the same time, no one can ignore the changesthat have been taking place in the field.PKJ: Your popularity has led the AndhraPradesh State Council of Educational Researchand Training (SCERT) to seek your guidance inpreparing their English textbooks. Could you tellus the extent to which the curriculumdevelopment and textbook preparation teamshave accepted your theoretical understanding?Have you experienced any contextualconstraints, or diluted your position?KNA: I have worked for the curriculum andtextbook revision of SCERT Andhra Pradesh,with experts such as Rama Kant Agnihotri andA. L. Khanna. I personally believe that therevised textbooks of Andhra Pradesh havemoved away from skill-based pedagogy todiscourse-based pedagogy.PKJ: How do you wish to carry out your agendaat the national level?KNA: There are a lot of challenges ahead ofus. I understand that similar initiatives are takingplace across the world. There are market-drivenforces that work for corporate demands ineducation. There are also forces that promotelinguistic imperialism. I join hands with all thosewho work against these forces.P. K. Jayaraj is an ELT expert at the RegionalInstitute of English, South India, Bengaluru. He hascontributed to the development of the statecurriculum, and the production of text books inEnglish for the States of Kerala and Andhra Pradesh.He has published three books in English forMathrubhoomi publications. They are: Say What YouMean, Grammar and Grammar Wars, and WhenWords Bloom.pkjayarajs@gmail.comLanguage and Language Teaching Volume 1 Number 2 July 2012 42