Virtual classroom for poor students

Updated on: Thursday, May 24, 2012

As part of its efforts to improve the standard and quality of education, the St. Thomas Mount-cum- Pallavaram Cantonment Board, the second oldest among the 177 Cantonment Boards in the country, has launched the English Language Development Project at its High School in Pallavaram. G. Vijaya Bhaskar, Chief Executive Officer of the Cantonment Board, said that in the increasing competitive environment students had to be proficient in English. For children belonging to poor families in Pallavaram, a virtual classroom was the least they expected to hone their skills in English. The students are now an excited bunch as they now interact with an expert in English several hundred kilometres away through a live video conference.

The St. Thomas Mount-cum- Pallavaram Cantonment Board has tied up with Hyderabad-based Edvantedge, a private company specialising in providing learning solutions. Mr. Vijaya Bhaskar said that educators from the private firm were specifically informed that many students were first generation learners and many of their parents were illiterate and hence, it was important to coach the students patiently.

The educators began with the basics of the English alphabet and phonetics from their Hyderabad office, using illustrated material during the training. The sessions are lively and interactive with the students responding to the educator's questions.

The Board has leased a high-speed line for internet connectivity. So far it has spent Rs. 1 lakh on setting up the projector, computers and screen and also for false ceiling and tiles.

The project's motto is “better English, bright career,” the CEO said, adding that the students' performance would be evaluated and those faring poorly would be attending the classes again. This was a pilot project and the Directorate General of Defence Estates was keen on expanding this to other schools run by Cantonment Boards in the rest of the country. Established in 1774, the Board is the second oldest among all Cantonment Boards in the country. Spread over 3,200 acres in St. Thomas Mount, Pallavaram, and Meenambakkam, it caters to the requirements of the civilian population as well personnel of the Defence.

The Board has implemented several other welfare measures for the welfare of people with special needs in the Board's jurisdiction apart from encouraging its students in the two schools in Pallavaram and St. Thomas Mount to fare better in academics. The Board also provides scholarship to students who excel in Class X and XII to help them pursue higher education.

M. Nainan, School Headmaster, said, most of the students hail from poor families and such programmes would go a long way in fulfilling their aspirations of a secure career and a bright future.

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