Many consider mathematics a nightmare and this class 8 student was no exception. She could hardly understand what was taught in her school, neither had she anyone to discuss her doubts.
It was then that N. Pooja, a native of Rasole village in Kangti mandal, one of the most backward areas, attended a one-month summer camp with 180 other students at Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalay (KGBV) at Osman Nagar in Sangareddy district. From her initial test score of 3 in the beginning of the camp, she went on to score 35 showing tremendous improvement.
It is here at the camp that her fear of maths vanished and she fell in love with numbers. “In a classroom, we ask the teacher about any doubts that we have in understanding a problem. He/she will clarify our doubts and whether we understand or not, we cannot ask the same doubt again as teachers have a certain target to finish the syllabus in a given period. But here at the camp, teachers take time to clarify my doubts as many number of times as possible and I also interact with other students,” says Pooja. “My interest in the subject has increased and I am one among those who solve the problems first,” she says. The KGBV teachers, who conducted a test for students in the beginning of the camp, are surprised by their performance. “The students have learnt well and their performance has improved,” say P. Madhuri, Girl Child Development Officer (GCDO), Sangareddy, and Special Officer of KGBV K. Kavitha.
Ms. Madhuri adds that the previous camp held at Jinnaram last year also saw good results. The camp is a success, thanks to the efforts of the volunteers from Vandemataram Education, Research and Training Centre (VERTC), located at Kalwakurthy in Mahabubnagar district. “We are able to improve mathematical skills among students using Minimum Numerical Skills (MNS) and Minimum Learning Ability (MLA),” Y. Madhav Reddy, Secretary, VERTC, told The Hindu .
