The Tribune, Chandigarh, India

EDUCATION

‘Vividha’ enthrals audience in Noida
Tribune News Service

Noida, December 10
Vishwa Bharati Public School, Noida, celebrated its 12th annual day function ‘Vividha,’ meaning variety, last week. The Vishwa Bharatians put up a well-orchestrated programme showcasing their prodigious talents and cultural achievements. The cultural pageant featured scintillating folk dances from Kashmir, Rajasthan and Goa, apart from a brilliant fusion of eastern and western instrumental music.

The tiny tots excelled in their portrayal of Cinderella. There were plays in English and Hindi depicting the various nuances of the society.

A tableau on the varied culture of India was presented by the students of Vishwa Bharati Public School, Dwarka, West Delhi. A French ballet titled ‘Morning Mood’ performed by guest artist, Mr Gilles Chuyen was the highlight of the event. The chief guest on the occasion was Mr Omar Abdullah, the Minister of State for External Affairs. The other dignitaries who graced the occasion were Dr Mahesh Sharma, Chairman, Kailash Group of hospitals, Mr P. K. Kaul, former Cabinet Secretary and Ambassador to the US, Mr Shamim Ahmed, Principal of Degree College, Rainawari Srinagar, Ms Nasreen, Principal of Vishwa Bharati Public

School, Rainawari, Mr D. V. Batra, Chairman Batra Hospitals and the members of the management of the Vishwa Bharati group of schools. Mr Seghal, President of Vishwa Bharati Institution, formally welcomed the chief guest. The Principal, Mrs Veena Bhasin, presented the school’s annual report.

The chief guest, Mr Omar Abdullah, in his address said that he was really impressed with the programme. He specially appreciated the superb back-stage management and was particularly touched by the presentation of the composite culture of Jammu and Kashmir by the students of schools. The programme culminated with the award of scholarships to meritorious students in academic as well as in various sports activities.

Primary education victim of official apathy in Sonepat
R. D. Sapra

Sonepat December 10
Lack of funds, material and teaching staff has landed primary education in a mess in the district. Though the emoluments of school teachers have gone up considerably, little has been done to improve the facilities for school-going children in Government schools.

More than 90 per cent of primary schools have no play ground. A majority of these institutions do not have even adequate seating arrangements for children. About 10 per cent of the schools have no roofed accommodation. Classes are held in the open. Because of the reported shortage of jute mats, children have to squat on the ground-at times in the corridors.

Most school buildings have not been re paired for years. Conditions in rural schools provide eloquent testimony to governmental negligence. A table and a chair for the teacher are the only items of furniture in most schools in almost all the blocks in the district.

The state government has simply deputed teachers to various schools for which the gram panchayats have constructed buildings. None seems to have cared to raise the strength of the teaching staff though the number of children has steadily increased.

At some places, one teacher has to hold three classes simultaneously.

Science laboratories in many of these schools lack proper equipment. Some primary schools do not even have a library.

Officials of the Education Department say that the funds placed at the disposal of village panchayats for repairs of school buildings are often diverted for other purposes.

Given the prevailing conditions, primary schools hardly provide the necessary attraction to children. The result is that out of every 100 children only 40 or 50 reach Class V.

Moreover, teachers of some schools are a harassed lot. Primary schools face shortage of teachers. Appointments are not made for years to fill vacancies. However, classes are shown to be running regularly and properly.

About 90 per cent of teachers do not get suitable residential accommodation in villages. In the circumstances, they have to live in nearby urban areas and spend a sizeable amount on commuting long distance every day.

The Sub-Divisional as well as Block Education Officers have failed to check the attendance of teachers in the urban and rural schools as they live in the towns and cities of the district. They leave their houses after 9 a.m for attending their offices.

SPORTS

Delhi, Punjab share points in Varsities’ Hockey
Our Sports Reporter

New Delhi, December 10
Punjab University rallied to hold Delhi University to a 2-2 draw to share points in the SGTB Khalsa College Golden Jubilee North Zone Inter-University Hockey (Men) Championship at the Khalsa College ground at Delhi University on Monday.

Delhi took the lead in the 10th minute through a penalty corner goal scored by Dharminder and made it 2-0 through Amrik Singh before the interval.

Punjab University reduced the margin when Anmolak Singh converted a penalty stroke. Gurdeep Singh netted the equaliser at the fag-end of the match. Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar defeated Punjabi University, Patiala 4-1 in the other match. Satwinder opened the account, while Mahabir Singh converted a penalty stroke and then a penalty corner to enhance the lead to 3-0.

Manvinder added the fourth goal for Amritsar while Navdeep Saini reduced the margin for Patiala. Tuesday’s fixtures: Punjab University vs Punjabi University (11 a m); Delhi vs GNDU (12.30 p m).