EDUCATION

Career awareness lacking in govt school students
From Our Correspondent

LUDHIANA, July 8 — None of the students studying in the government schools have high level of career awareness whereas 54 per cent of students studying in public schools have high level of career awareness. This study was conducted in Ludhiana by Dr Sukhdev Singh, Assistant Professor of Sociology, Mrs Maninder Kaur, Assistant Professor of Economics and Dr S.S. Gill, Professor of Forestry and Natural Resources.

It was concluded that if the trend continued to be so, the students from the government schools would no more be in competition in the next few years.

The students of higher age group, having large family size and less parental income and education were more in the government schools whereas students of lower age group with small family size and high parental income were studying in public schools. It was found that even the spatial set up affected the level of career awareness among the students.

In order to assess career awareness of students, six schools were selected, two each from rural, semi-urban and urban areas. Further from each school, one school was government and the other was public. Fifty students studying in class X of each of these schools were randomly selected. While calculating the awareness score, the knowledge about conventionally known occupations like teaching, medicine and engineering were given less weightage than the non-conventional occupations, such as computer engineering, fashion designing etc.

Researchers suggested that taking career awareness as a part of school curriculum, inculcating reading habits, availability of career awareness material especially in regional language, exposure to audio-visual aids can help in increasing career awareness among the students.

Hard work is the key to success
What Took Them To The Top
From Surbhi Bhalla

LUDHIANA, July 8 — City boys and girls have proved their mettle by topping in various exams. What took them to the top? As part of the continuing series we ask another topper the secret of his success.

The secret of Abhishek’s success

Dr R.K. Bajaj, a scientist at PAU and Mrs Sudesh Bajaj, Principal of Government Senior Secondary School were proud of their son Abhishek who got 6th rank in Punjab PMT, 51st rank in AFMC and 5th rank in NLSTSE. He is fortunate to be invited for an interview at CMC College Vellore. His board results were also good.

Abhishek says, “I attribute my success to hardwork and strong will power. My sister was my pillar of strength and was my friend, guide and philosopher. My parents provided me with a very conducive environment. The healthy competition among the friends was another motivating factor.

Of course, my parents curtailed some of my extra-curricular activities. No parties, no get-togethers, no meeting friends, no listening to music.

Abhishek made quite a lot of sacrifice but it paid dividends. All is well that ends well. His ambition is to study in DMC Medical College and to become a cardiologist.

His message to his fellow students is: “Hard work and perseverance always pays. Set goals and you will achieve them.”