EDUCATION

Parents confused over kids’ future
By Sanjeev Singh Bariana
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, June 15 — Misplaced ambitions of parents for their children never allow their tender children to recognise their potential. Inner strength and potential of these children are never transformed into performance.

The trouble has accelerated during the modern times. The gap between parents and children assumes a different form with their exposure to new worlds through the satellite television and changed family structures.

Under a special study by Ms Surbhi Kalra, a UGC research scholar of Panjab University, it is quoted that a son of affluent parents of Ludhiana was sent to an Engineering College and given best facilities. A brilliant student till matriculation, he lost his shine in the new course. After prolonged psychological tests it was discovered that his field of interest was communication and not engineering.

The growing gap between the kids and parents has been taken up under a special programme CHISEL (Channelising Individuals to Succeed and Excel in Life) under Ms Surbhi Kalra, Director. The programme has come up in alliance with the Tuff Trak International which has Mr Asit Ghosh as the Chairman. His name finds mention in the International Directory of Who’s Who.

Ms Surbhi Kalra talked about a specific case in the recent examination. An academically brilliant student contacted her during examination because she was nervous. She dropped the examination.

Even as a part of her research, Ms Kalra studied children in the government and public schools. There was a naturally big difference. Schools generally concentrated on building good learning habits among children. The new method attempted modification of ‘study habits, improving memory, retention and decrease in level of stress.’

The study reveals that parents are generally baffled, confused and in a chaotic state of mind not knowing what was the best field for their child. Medical and non-medical were the most chosen areas where children were often forced to enter. This could lead to children going into depression or developing fragmental personalities. The director said “It was more important for the parents to uproot from their wards’ minds, a romantic confidence that they know their child very well.”

CHISEL has announced effective developmental programmes for children. (mostly 13-16 years) concentrating on awareness, self confidence, creativity, public speaking and vision. A special five-day opportunity for students and parents commences at the Commonwealth Youth Programme, Asia Centre, from June 19 to June 23.

“We always strive to produce better human beings”
Tribune News Service

PANCHKULA, June 15 — After three successive years of 100 per cent results since the first batch passed out in 1998, Bharatiya Vidya Bhawan in Sector 15 has been able to blend traditional values while inculcating a sense of competition amongst the students to bring out their best.

"In my school, I have never believed in pushing the children to the wall. Rather in consonance with the motto of my management, we have always strived to produce better human beings. In addition, the dedication of the teachers and the devotion of the students have always brought laurels to the school,'' Mrs Sashi Banerjee, Principal of the school, said.

Also, the motivation of the teachers and children by talks from the principal and the counsellor engaged by the school has contributed to the success in a big way. "By holding regular meetings with the staff, I keep the teachers pepped up. In turn, they inspire the students, prodding them to perform better and better. Again, parents of the child are involved in the periodic review exercises undertaken by the school though no decision is ever imposed upon them,'' she informs.

Moreover, though the school is attentive towards the needs of all its students, special care of students lagging behind in any field is taken. Teachers have adopted these students and regular surveillance of their performance is carried out by them. "They are at liberty to talk to the teachers anytime they want to and even go to the extent of calling on them even beyond school hours. The personal angle to imparting education has led to development of confidence among these students also,'' Mrs Banerjee adds.

The parents opine that the school has successfully helped students come out of their shells and the many co-curricular activities being run by the school have instilled confidence in the weaker lot as well, which has had a positive effect on their class performance also.

Mrs Nirmalesh Puri, whose son scored 92 per cent, contends, "There exists a healthy competition between the best in the class which keeps the students on their toes to perform better. The co-curricular activities in the school provide the much-needed break from the studies and promote all-round development of the student rather than keeping the scope limited to studies.''

Another parent, Mr Jatinder Gupta, whose son secured 92 per cent also vouches for the efforts of the school in polishing his son's talent.

"The follow-up by the school in matters pertaining to the students and their performance is excellent. Though the teachers are innovating the teaching pattern for improving the students' performance, parents are called in after the tests and the shortcomings in the papers are discussed at length,'' Mr Gupta claims.

Mrs Ramlesh Seth, whose daughter secured above 90 per cent, is appreciative of the hard work by the Principal and teachers alike.

"My daughter was very regular in school and with a very good track record in academics, the teachers encouraged her to better her performance after every test. Consequently, she has been the gainer and the hard work has paid off. The right guidance coupled by her sincerity to her work brought happiness to the school and to us,'' she says.

Workshops tapping students’ talent
From Our Correspondent

SAS NAGAR, June 15 — Summer schools have always been fun and frolic for children with various institutions here attracting kids to draw out their creative talent.

A 15-day camp organised at Cherry Angel School in Phase X concluded today with the participants in the 3-16 age group still wanting more.

The last day’s focus was on whatever the children had learnt during the duration of the camp.

Their presentations included dances, music, pot-painting, fabric painting and paper craft work.

During the camp children had learnt western and Rajasthani dances, instrumental and vocal music, sketching, paper painting and other activities. Besides, there were story telling sessions, showing of UNICEF movies and staging of “Cindrella”.

The school principal, Ms Kamaljeet Kaur, said professional artists had been called to guide the 102 children who had come from different schools to the camp sponsored by Coca-Cola.

Another institution where a summer workshop comes to an end soon (on June 17) is Saupin’s School in Phase VII. It had started on May 22.

Twenty-seven children from upper KG to class IV are attending the workshop whose motto is “Follow every rainbow”.

Creativity was encouraged at the workshop where the children were taught papier mache work, pot painting, flower making and tie and dye methods. They were also told about table manners and how to lay the table for formal dinners.

One of the teachers in charge of the workshop, Ms Pooja Madhok, said former students of the Food Craft Institute in Chandigarh helped the children learn about laying the table. She said the workshop had given an “insight into the recesses of a young one’s mind”.

A summer camp was also held at School Plus in Phase 2 where the underlying concept was to give children personal attention which they often miss out in schools because of the constantly rising teacher-student ratio.

Children had access to a library and compact disks on language, science and reading. There were also special activities, including environmental talks and gardening tips. In the art and craft room there were activities related to recycling, nature craft, mosaic pictures and puppetry. Children also learnt dances and music.

The Directors of School Plus, Mr and Mrs Sabharwal, who have visited schools in the USA and got new ideas which they wanted to implement, said the school continued throughout the year in the evenings as a follow up.

Children’s workshop at Press Club
Tribune News Service

CHANDIGARH, June 15 — A summer workshop opened at Chandigarh Press Club here today with the objective of furthering multifarious growth of children of Club members. The workshop “Besten Summer Workshop-2000” was inaugurated today by Punjab Education Minister Tota Singh.

While speaking on the occasion, Mr Singh stressed upon the need for promoting the heritage of our country and all moral values. He said that more workshops of such nature should be conducted because they help children recognise their talents and exhibit the same in various fields. Mr Singh also added that children of North India should always endeavour to match the educational calibre of those from the South.

The workshop will include activities like theatre, dance, choreography, pot making, arts and craft.

COURTS

Jain's remand extended
From Our Correspondent 

CHANDIGARH, June 15 — Mr N. K. Jain, former UT Home Secretary, was further remanded in judicial custody till June 28 by Additional District and Sessions Judge Sneh Prashar and his application for interim bail was also dismissed.

Mr Jain was booked under the Prevention of Corruption Act, 1988, along with Superintendent K. B. Goel for the alleged corrupt practices. Mr Jain was arrested by the CBI on May 9 after he surrendered before the investigating agency.

The judge observed that Mr Jain should be given extended judicial remand for the completion of investigation. Meanwhile, Mr Jain had moved an application through his defence counsel for his temporary release for two days for participating in the religious ceremonies and functions to be held at his house for his 25th marriage anniversary.

The judge observed that there were no justifiable grounds for the interim bail for the accused even for two days. Hence, his bail application was rejected.

CULTURE

Art for a noble cause

MANMEET PAL Singh is dearly known as Monu. He is deaf by birth and speaks very little. This son of an Army officer is however, known for painting. He had the urge for expression from childhood.

He began sketching and painting at an early age. Monu came in contact with some distinguished artists who encouraged him to paint. Soon his house was filled with drawings and paintings of this young artist. His parents were also surprised at his talent. The silence in the mind showed his “imaginative world”. This world was full of ideas coloured by the artist with sensitivity and concern for the humanity.

Monu’s art was seen for the first time in 1995, when Brig K.P. Singh Deo (retd), former Union Minister, inaugurated his exhibition at the Govt Museum and Art Gallery, Chandigarh. Today Monu has six individual shows to his credit. Recently the Department of Culture in the Ministry of Human Resource Development awarded him junior fellowship for creative painting.

Manmeet is at present interacting with a small group of jawans who were injured in Kargil and are undergoing treatment at the Command Military Hospital, Chandimandir. Having been brought up in an Army family, Monu can very well understand their mind and heart. Jawans of different states are seen engrossed in sketching and painting in their wheel-chairs. The grief and gloom on their faces gives way to smiles. Such an encounter with an artist who can’t speak or listen has certainly added a new dimension to their expressions. This gave the jawans an opportunity to look at life and its manifestations from a different angle.

In the past, artists and art academics have been observed raising funds for the jawans in distress. Film stars, singers, dancers have entertained our jawans to boost their morale on the borders. Manmeet (24) has opened a new vista for creative persons by interacting with the jawans through the art of drawing and painting.

The Command Military Hospital, Chandimandir, is celebrating its raising day on June 16. It will feature an exhibition of paintings by Manmeet along with some of the Kargil jawans’ artistic expressions registered in the creative presence of Monu. — Prem Singh