Mangaluru: Centre for Advanced Learning (CFAL) and Ignus held a 12-day training programme for National Talent Search Exam (NTSE) for students of government schools, from October 12.
The selection process was held for the students interested in attending the programme. This was done with the help of the Chief Executive Officer Zilla Panchayat, Dakshina Kannada P I Sreevidya, the Deputy Director of Public Instruction and the Block Education Officers (BEOs) of Mangaluru district.
The screening test for students from government schools of all blocks was held on September 18, which accommodated 400 students of different Government schools. 46 students who scored above the determined cutoff were selected for the training programme. The information about the successful students was passed on to BEOs and individually to principals of schools. The Deputy Commissioner of Mangalore Dr Jagadeesh, the Assistant Deputy Commissioner of Mangalore - Kumar, the Social Welfare Department officer Sunitha, took care of food and accommodation for all students.
Deputy Commissioner of Mangalore Dr Jagadeesh, the Assistant Deputy Commissioner of Mangalore - Kumar, the Social Welfare Department officer Sunitha, arranged for food and accommodation for all students.
The NTSE training program commenced on the October 12, with classes from 9 AM to 3.30 PM. 30 students attended the training program that covered major topics in NTSE. Praveen Raj, an NTS scholar, and alumnus of Ignus in Hassan who secured the 6th Rank in CET 2016 and is studying Computer Science in NITK Surathkal taught GMAT to the students. The faculty also comprised of IIT Alumni and faculty members of CFAL.
The valedictory program was held on October 22, with a lineup of speakers. Founder of Ignus, Mervin Rosario, an alumnus of IIT Bombay, said, most students from Kannada medium schools and Government schools have an aptitude for Math and Science but lack the awareness, guidance and exposure needed for acing national level examinations. This program was designed to fill in that void, motivate students, help improve their knowledge base and build self-confidence.
Program coordinator of CFAL, Severine Rosario, spoke about various national level exams and scholarships made available for students. She said, students who study in national colleges are mostly from a privileged background and a lot of training; thus many deserving students of government schools miss out, owing to their financial background and lack of exposure.
Students of the programme, Shivaram, Prajna and Sharanya, described their initial reluctance to come to Mangalore as it was far off, and the painful possibility of staying in a hostel. Their fear was soon dispelled when they made friends amongst themselves and together, enjoyed the training program. They were impressed by the proficiency of their teachers at the training, and were glad for the tests conducted on a daily basis which helped eliminate the fear of examinations, consequently.
A teacher from Bolanthimogaru high school restated the importance of such a programme and thanked CFAL and Ignus for conducting it free of cost.
Severine Rosario congratulated all students who were then presented practice books for the NTSE. The program concluded with lunch.
