The Tribune, Chandigarh, India - Chandigarh Stories

EDUCATION

Public and private schools have an edge
by Kanchan Vasdev
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, June12 — The public and private schools have an edge over government schools as far as academics are concerned. Going by the average of result of plus two analysed by the regional office of the Central Board of Secondary Education, the pass percentage of Government schools , Kendriya Vidyalayas, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas and independent schools is 80.2%,. 83.7%, 82.6% and 83%, respectively.

In the matriculation results the top ten positions were snatched by nine students from independently run schools and only one went to a government model school. The topper of the city was from Bhavan Vidyalaya with 95.4% marks and the topper from government schools was from GMSS, Sector-20 with 92.6% marks.

The maximum number of students scoring 90% and above in the government schools was three from GMSS, Sector-16, against that of nine students in from Bhavan Vidyalaya. Many other independent schools were also in the news as three to eight students from these institutes aggregated 90% and above.

The heads of the independently-run schools feel that the quality education is provided by their institutions and most of the parents want to send their wards to such schools. “Even a rickshaw-puller wants his child to study in a public school because we have made a mark on peoples’ mind and are known as activity schools. We help in allround development of students, be it scholastic or non-scholastic,” asserted Mr D.S. Bedi, Principal of Shivalik School.

“The teachers in private schools are more concerned and dedicated and they leave no stone unturned to help students to show excellent results. On the other hand most of the teachers in government schools are not bothered about the results, thanks to the security of job. They have no accountability and take their work very lightly. But here in private schools we pay extra attention because we earn our bread and butter and even a single withdrawal from the school matters for us," feels Mr Bedi.

On the other hand the heads of government run institutions have their own tales to tell. Dr S.P. Shergill, Principal of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Sector-31 voices her views, "The private institutions take cream of the city with students from sound background. Here in our institutions we have a centralised admission system and we take all students irrespective of the merit and family background. Moreover the children of ‘defence other ranks’ study in our institution and cannot afford tuitions.”

“The separated family atmosphere leads to more problems. The fathers are posted in different stations and the environment is not conducive for studying as the families are already tense. Children are better controlled by their fathers and it really makes a difference,” she adds.

The city residents really want to make their children study in a good school. Mrs Pushpa Bhandari, a resident of Sector-15 sent her two children to Sacred Heart as she feels, “Like any other government organisation these schools are virtually at the mercy of the babus in the office. Owing to the security of service the teachers tend to take their job very lightly. Moreover, extra effort public schools put in to show excellent results is sadly missing in most government schools.”

Schools of excellence-IX
‘Individual attention, special coaching made the difference’
Tribune News Service

PANCHKULA, June 12 — “Individual attention coupled with special coaching throughout the year made for the success of the students of our school,” says, Mr V P Paul, Principal of Chaman Lal DAV Public school, Sector 11, reflecting on the result of the Class X CBSE examination.

“We had separate sections divided on the basis of merit in our school. The students of weak sections and the very bright ones were given separate assignments which really made a difference. The teachers had themselves prepared these and the effort was well rewarded in the final results,” he adds.

Also, the teachers put an extra effort and took pains to help the students improve upon their performance during school examinations. The graph of results was closely monitored and discrepancies and shortcomings were eliminated after each result. “The individual attention paid to the students contributed towards improving school results,” he opines.

The principal informs that as many as 12 batches have already passed out from the school and his students have a share in the merit scholarships awarded each year. “Besides, we aim towards social uplift and teach students to imbibe the right social values,” he contends.

The parents have also expressed satisfaction with the working of the school and the conducive atmosphere provided to excel in every field. Parents of a few students of the school who crossed the 90 per cent mark, claim that the good result was the outcome of the hard work of the teachers and students alike.

With over 93 per cent to her credit, Mrs Sushma Nijhawan’s daughter has done her proud. She says, “While some teachers put their heart and soul into teaching, the others were only average. However, all of them kept the students inspired throughout the year which had a very positive bearing on their mental makeup and the regular exams helped them get rid of the examination phobia.”

Another parent, Mrs Usha Mittal, says: “Though my son used to miss school often and concentrate on self-study yet the guidance provided during school hours compensated him for his decision of not taking any tuitions. He would clear any doubts he had about the assignments with his teachers though the inspiration came from his father who did not live to see his son come out on top like he desired.”

Also, the innovative idea of dividing the entire syllabi into two assignments which contained all the important questions to ensure that students were thorough stood the students in good stead, especially during revision, opines Mr Deepak Kumar, whose daughter secured above 90 per cent. “My daughter skimmed through these questions on the final day which has been the secret of her success,” he adds.

CULTURE

Future Hrithiks, Miss Indias all are here
Great escape from homework for kids
By Ambika Kumar

CHANDIGARH, June 12 —Music, dance, art, craft, yoga, aerobics, exercises, acting and improvisation. It was time to learn and freak out at the workshop for about 155 children at the Pracheen Kala Kendra. The children have been divided into age groups of five to seven, seven to nine and nine to 16 years.

"It is absolutely great to work with these children. The response is tremendous and in a span of four weeks children can grasp a lot. They get exposure as at the end of the workshop we are going to stage four plays", said Mrs Munisha Rajpal, an actor-teacher from Mumbai.

Mr Satyajit Sharma, an actor and theatre person was here for a few days to teach the participants. "New games introduce the children the basic principles, temperament and dynamics of theatre. These workshops develop a sense of concentration, observation, imagination and help us to understand ourselves and life", he explained.

The children seem to be enjoying themselves thoroughly. "I am having a lot of fun here besides learning some interesting activities. It's a good way to spend my holidays", feels Lipika Asnani, a student from Bhavan Vidalaya.

But Aneesh Punj, who is eight years old, says, "This workshop is not just time-pass and fun but also an amazing experience and chance to learn something. I want to learn to dance like Hrithik Roshan".

Four-year-old Shaasta Paul from Delhi has come here to have fun and wishes to become Miss India. Even Dabiya Bajaj, has come here to enjoy, besides learning craft and acting.

Sixteen-year Gaurav Sharma has been attending this theatre workshop for the past eight years. "This helps us to express ourselves better with improvement in clarity of speech and creation of a good scene. I have gained a lot from this workshop, having been able to work in a few serials and inspire to be a super-star", he added.

Angel Dutta thinks it is a good way to get away from the normal routine of doing holiday homework as well as something constructive. But Himanshu Kapil is here to make friends and have "khup" as he wants to join the defence services.

Even the parents of the kids are quite satisfied with this workshop. "My son is really enjoying himself and has made a lot of friends too. He is gaining a lot from this workshop so it is the third time he has joined it", expresses Mrs Mridula Bhanot, a parent.

"Since my wife and I am from this city we come back every year to conduct this workshop for the city kids. The aim is to develop the personality and confidence of the child. The exercises and yoga help them to improve level of concentration. They learn to deal with the various situations in life", asserted Mr Rajesh Rajpal, the organiser.

This workshop will see its grand finale on June 24 at Tagore Theatre. Plays will be staged and an exhibition of craft will be held, informed Mr Koser, secretary, Pracheen Kala Kendra.

Sushma at 125th show of Court Martial
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, June 12 — This has happened for the first time in the history of Indian theatre and for an objective viewer it is not easy to believe that a play can actually be staged in continuation for 125 days and that too successfully.

But the team of Court Martial has put to rest all doubts and today with the play being staged at the Tagore Theatre for the 125 time in succession, members of Theatre for Theatre bore a proud look and deservingly so. Yet another factor to rejoice over was the presence of Rajya Sabha MP Mrs Sushma Swaraj who was there to boost the morale of the 15-member strong team of actors.

The show may have been a repeat of former performances but the zeal was evident in the extra effort which showed in every scene of the play. The story was told again and the need to shun communalism was again stressed through the powerful dialogues. Jawan Ramchander won the sympathy of the crowd in the end and everyone in the gathering seemed to nod in favour of the play’s theme : that a man should be known, not by his caste, but by his credit.

Also present on the occasion was former MP Mr Satya Pal Jain. The play, which began showing here on January 21, has been written by the Ambala-based playwright Mr Swadesh Deepak and it has been directed by Mr Sudesh Sharma.