Aiming to shore up pass percentage in SSLC and Plus Two examinations in city schools, the Kozhikode Municipal Corporation is planning to rope in residents’ associations to help students improve their scores. The Walking with Adolescent for Victories in Education (WAVE) will be implemented with the help of residents’ associations.
Education Standing Committee Chairman of the Corporation M. Radhakrishnan pointed out that pass percentage in the city had been declining over the past few years despite efforts to help weak students. However, it was noted that results were much better after the Save a Year (SAY) examinations. This could be achieved by giving special attention to students who lagged behind in a few subjects, Mr. Radhakrishnan said addressing representatives from various residents’ associations on Wednesday.
WAVE envisages a disciplined approach to the issue under the leadership of teachers, parents, people’s representatives, officials and volunteers.
The city will be divided into 14 academic zones for the purpose. Residents’ associations will identify the students who need special attention based on not just the academic side, but also their family situation and other factors such as alcoholism or odd working hours of parents.
Each residents’ association will provide around 10 volunteers to guide the students.
The Corporation will provide all the material facilities based on the needs of each student, besides resource persons.
The volunteers and association representatives will also focus on the emotional quotient of the children who are often pressurised by families to achieve beyond their capabilities. Parents of special children will be asked to appoint scribes for their wards.
The activities will be monitored at the Corporation level by the members of the Education Standing Committee, the Deputy Director of Education, District Programme officers of Sarva Siksha Abhiyan (SSA) and Rashtriya Madhyamik Siksha Abhiyan (RMSA), the coordinators and representatives from the pool of Principals and Headmasters.
At the zonal level, the programme will be monitored by local councillors, faculty of DIET, representatives of SSA and RMSA, local residents’ associations, PTAs and representatives of teachers.
“The aim is to provide 100 hours of learning to each student between December 1 and March 1,” Mr. Radhakrishnan said. The 200 resource persons shortlisted for the programme will be trained at the Regional Science Centre on December 13. The volunteers will be provided appropriate remuneration for their services as well.
Representatives of more than 30 residents’ associations took part in the meeting on Wednesday.
