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Ryan: CBSE making
issue difficult
Parents get
assurance Today, a delegation of nearly 36 affected parents of Class X students of Ryan International School, Sector 49, Chandigarh, met Mr Pawan Kumar Bansal, Minister of State for Finance, in New Delhi. The concerned parents conveyed this correspondent on phone, that Mr Pawan Kumar Bansal, today met Mr Arjun Singh, Human Resource Development Minister, Mr Arjun Singh, at New Delhi, seeking his intervention in the matter relating to the future of as many as 81 students of Class X of Ryan International School, Chandigarh. A
parent said, “ We were told that Mr Arjun Singh was very
sympathetic in the matter and assured that no student will be
allowed to suffer for no fault of theirs.”
Chandigarh, February 17 The parents and student yesterday assembled at the Advocates’
Society to decide the next course of action. After yesterday’s court’s
proceedings, the parents were disheartened. The students are finding it
difficult to concentrate on studies and have now decided to go on hunger
strike in protest. “After the school, the CBSE, too, has been
giving us false assurances. Where should we go? Despite the fact that
the Chandigarh Administration has requested the CBSE to have sympathetic
consideration of the grave problem, the CBSE is playing difficult. On
the other hand, no criminal proceeding has been initiated till date
against the school management, who are the real culprits”, rued a
parent. However, earlier the parents’ delegation went to meet the
Chairman of CBSE, Mr Ashok Ganguly, at their New Delhi office at least
five times and every time they were not allowed to meet the Chairman.
“Perhaps his official commitments are more important than the future
of 81 students studying in Ryan International School, Chandigarh,”
wondered a parent. Though they could not meet Mr Ashok Ganguly, they
met the Secretary of CBSE, Mr Vineet Joshi. Showing “positive”
approach, he assured the aggrieved parents that they were quite
concerned for the future of the students. Another parent said:“ The
board officials specifically told us that the CBSE’s regional office
situated at Panchkula will look after the examination forms and other
formalities and the decision would be taken keeping in mind the future
of the children only. Now it appears that they have shown the cold
shoulder to our case”. The parents said that they were told to wait till the hearing was completed in
court. He (CBSE secretary) further assured them that they should tell their children to concentrate on their studies as the exams were approaching. The
parents said that although the court’s judgement had been postponed
till Monday, it hardly seemed to be in their favour, looking at the
blunt approach of the board in the court. A senior representative appeared in the court and the matter was thoroughly discussed. During hearing of the petition filed by the school management and the parents, the Punjab and Haryana High Court asked the CBSE if the students could be allowed to appear in the examination scheduled to be held next month at a government school of
Chandigarh. Opposing the plea of affiliation to the school on more
than one ground, the CBSE, through its counsel Harsh Aggarwal, argued
that the affiliation application was received late and serious
irregularities were observed during their team’s inspection visit. The CBSE counsel quoting the judgement of the Supreme Court told the court that the CBSE should not be compelled to undertake examination of students of an unaffiliated school and that no interim direction should be issued to compel the CBSE to affiliate Ryan School. He further pointed out to the fact that the school has a family concern which has violated the rules of affiliation. Another distressed parent, also a lawyer by profession, said that the CBSE had referred to the Supreme Court judgement in a case but their prayer before the court was totally different. “Leave
aside affiliation to Ryan School, we want that our children should be
allowed to appear through some other affiliated school, private or
government oriented one situated in Chandigarh, so that one year of
these children should not go waste for no fault of theirs”, he said. The
last date for sending examination forms had already expired on October
31, 2006, and practical exams have been scheduled to commence from the
last week of January, 2007, to be completed by February 15, 2007. “The
school has already conducted the practical examinations, which stand
nowhere, in case affiliation is not granted to the school”, told a
parent. The datesheet for the final examination has already been announced and examinations are going to commence from March 2 onwards. However, the parents have procured a copy of Delhi High Court judgement dated September 8, 2005, which clearly stated that the CBSE shall consider process and decide the application of a private and unaided educational institution without insistence on the concurrence of the state government where the school is territorially located. It
further stated that if any private or non-aided school which applies for
its affiliation meets with the educational criteria established by the
board, then the board should have no hesitation in granting the
affiliation to it. “When it is so, then why did the school management
waste their time running after getting clearance from the
Administration, since Ryan International School too is a private
non-aided school?’’ Angry parents also resented that despite submitting a criminal complaint against the school authorities on February 3, the police has not yet registered any FIR against the school till date and no action has been taken against the culprits as yet. The
parents had filed a criminal case against the Chairman, St. Xavier’s
Education Trust/Ryan International School, Mr A.F. Pinto, his wife Grace
Pinto, who is also Director of Ryan International School, Headmistress
of Ryan School-49, Poonam Sharma, and a teacher of the school, Shubh
Chugh, with Sector 34 police station.
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CBSE helpline for
stressed students
Chandigarh, February 17 When the exams, particularly board exams, approach, this helpline has been flooded with phone calls from stressed-out students seeking guidance in their preparation for the upcoming exams. The
CBSE counsellor for the region and Principal of the KB DAV Centenary
Public School, Sector 7, Ms Madhu Bahl, said the mental state of Class
10 to 12 students from across the country was a cause for concern. The
purpose of the helpline is to decrease students’ stress levels and
alleviate their fear of exams. The helpline pre-exam stage runs from January to March where students phone in to ask how they can systematically prepare for exams and for extra help in particular areas of study. Students
can call the helpline anytime throughout the day, but timings are
generally from 8 am to 12 noon and then from 4 pm until late. “We
cannot limit the timings as students who are stressed out want instant
answers”, Ms Bahl said. More than 25 calls are received daily and as exams approach, Ms Bahl expects up to 70 incoming calls per day. Out of every 20 calls, five to six are from students extremely distressed and in a state of tears. Students involved in sports at a national or international level generally achieve low results of 70 to 75 per cent. They are given extra cost-free classes, offering special coaching and training in studies to catch up. Normally, there are three categories of students who call the helpline: the well-prepared students, the medium-level students, and those who avoided study throughout the year. Telling
further, Ms Behl said, “The students who are very well-prepared are
immensely worried they will forget everything they studied when they sit
in the exam. The students who studied well but achieved only 80 to 82
per cent and aspire for higher marks are advised on how to improve. The
below average students are guided on what self-study they should do to
pass the exams or increase their marks.” On being asked, Ms Behl
informed that the personal counselling was undertaken only under the
compelling circumstances when the parents of the students are helpless
or when the students are in a depressive state. “Some children do
not return home because they do not want to study”, she adds. “Children
develop a sort of phobia and feel helpless and scared. That’s where
they need our help. The helpline’s duty is to then pacify the child
and explain to them that they are capable of passing the exams”. “Sometimes
we are also put in a very awkward situation. Like some days ago, a
mother phoned the helpline and said that her child threatened that if
you ask me to study I will leave home”. The counsellor relieves the student from the anxieties they have and advises them to study part of the syllabus so they can still pass. Bright
students excelling in mathematic and science, achieving marks from 97 to
99 per cent commonly struggle in English. “They are lacking in some
portions of the language. We ask them what portion of the language they
are having a problem with and then guide them to go for extensive
training in that area. After this direction their score comes up to 97
or 98 per cent.” “Educationalists are the best counsellors as they
can guide students in the right manner. I can make any student study by
giving them time, personal meetings, and listen to them and their
parents,” Ms Behl adds.
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Gaurav wins debate
competition at OCCULT
Chandigarh, February 17 The event was organised by the Department of Mass Communication and the Debating Society of MCM DAV College on the college premises in Sector 36. The team prize was bagged by the UIET (Karandeep and Gaurav). In the extempore competition, Haripal (DAV-10), Anureet (MCM) and Gaurav (UIET) won the first, second and third prizes, respectively. Mr Yajan Kashyap, Deputy News Editor, The Tribune, was the chief guest. He said the Indian media not only matched its global counterparts, but also was ahead of it on several occasions. Mr Kashyap said the Indian media was largely responsible for exposing Nithari killings and ensuring a second life to Kurukshetra child Prince. The two-day event, sponsored by Flying Cats, an aviation training institution, gave students an opportunity to ponder over the current scenario of media. The
first day of the event saw debate and extempore competitions in which
around 16 colleges took part. The topic for the debate was “Can Indian
media match its global counterparts.” The extempore competition had
interesting topics like “Lalu Prasad Yadav - The management guru”,
“Amitabh Bachchan for presidential post”, “Was Jade Goody a racist
or Shilpa Shetty an opportunist,” “Moon, the future tourist
destination,” “Mallika Sherawat or Vidya Balan,” etc.
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Aruna wins essay-writing contest
Tribune News Service
Chandigarh, February 17 The second place went to Gurpreet Kaur of BA II. Prof B.S. Ghuman, Dean, Faculty of Arts, Professor and Chairman , Department of Public Administration, presented a lecture on “Good Governance.” According to him, the central thrust of good governance is to promote citizen friendly, caring, transparent responsive and corruption-free administration. Earlier, the Vice- Principal, Ms Santosh Kalra, welcomed the chief guest, Dr Ghuman. Ms Harinder Kaur spoke on the “Relevance of good governance” and Mr Sahib Singh, in charge, Administrative Science Society, spoke on “The need of good governance.” The Department of Fine Arts under the guidance of Ms Guneeta Chadha organised a talk on “Art as meditation with reference to Buddha Sutras” by Mr Pahlad Aggarwal, Deputy Director, DPI, Colleges, Chandigarh, on the college premises today. Bio-tech
rally
Dev Samaj College for Women, Sector 45-B, organised a bio-tech rally
here today. The rally was organised as a part of the ongoing “Science
and Technology Month,” being celebrated in the college. As many as 300 students and faculty members carrying placards and raising slogans participated in the rally, which passed through the streets of Sector 45 and the adjoining Burail village.
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JPA toddlers bring
smiles on faces of all
Chandigarh, February 17 Titled ‘’Blossoms’’
the function was marked by a series of musical items displaying talent
and skills of the little ones. The highlights of the function were a “Toddlers
Circus", a sparkling gidda and a rendition of the Sita Swayamwar. An energetic aerobics performance and a musical extravaganza titled "Sha la la la" were also applauded by the large gathering. The toddlers of pre-nursery danced to the tunes of 'Uncle John'. A fashion show by the playway class brought smiles to the face of all present. The toddlers, who were in the age group of 3 to 5 years, astounded one and all with their confidence and poise on stage. Parents had a gala time, and even grandparents joined in the fun. The Chief Guest was Mr Bruno Plasse, Director of Alliance Francaise, Chandigarh. The Principal Ms Neena Atray read out the annual report, and urged parents to encourage their toddlers.
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Fete at Yadavindra
School
Chandigarh, February 17 There were also beautiful items on sale made by the students in their hobby classes. The fete attracted many visitors who enjoyed jam session, thrilling rides. Another attraction of the fete was the Lucky Draw, which had exciting prizes like Microwave Oven, Refrigerator, Television Dvd Player etc.
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Lecture on judicial
activism
Chandigarh, February 17 Mr Sorabjee traced the history of judicial activism since Independence onwards till date. He opined that the Indian judiciary had interpreted and brought in new concepts through its judicial innovation. Prof. R.C. Sobti, Vice-Chancellor, welcomed the chief guests, Mr Soli J. Sorabjee and Justice (retd) J.S. Kang.
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Mangi Mahal
mesmerises all
Chandigarh,
February 17 The festival is offering a platform for the amateur and professional artists to showcase their talent. The artists who performed today included folklore artist Mangi Mahal, a Jallandhar-based Punjabi lyricist singer, amateur Vinod Rajput based in Australia, a software engineer Parminder Singh and other artists. Credited with music performances in the USA, Canada, Hongkong and all European countries Mangi Mahal proved his mettle as he doled out hits from his albums. Commencing
with a devotional song Mangi rendered 'Sachhi saonh Lagge, Jatt belly ho
gya, Tera haq banda, Chand Makhni and a sad number 'Tere pind naalon..'.
A foremost disciple of Ustad Puran Shahkoti, Mangi enraptured the crowd
with musical support from musicians Rajesh Jolly, Bindu, Sarabjit Singh.
Earlier Jaspreet Singh presented ' Honde te chadne vi hai' while
Parminder Singh was nostalgic with ' Laggi waale te kadde nahin
saunde..'. The only female artist Surinder Kaur gave a crispy vocal and
dancing recital while the older Vinod Rajput sang a number from film
'Jaagte raho' and popular 'bolo tara ra ra..' In the artist's corner
national level artist Sanjay Kumar demonstrated drawings in different
mediums, while the students of Government college of Art sketched
portraits. The Plaza Carnival president Manki Deep honored the artists. |
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