The Vellore Institute of Technology (VIT) organised an event where the chief guest and Tamil Nadu Minister for School Education KA Sengottaiyan distributed the prizes to the headmasters of 59 senior secondary schools in Vellore district who achieved 100 per cent passes in Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) or Class XII exam in 2018. They were awarded a Rs 5,000 cash award as well for achieved 100 per cent results in their school.
The chancellor noted that the number of schools which achieved 100 per cent results in the Class XII exams in Vellore district has increased to 87 per cent this year from 83 per cent in 2016 and 85 per cent in 2017, and to 88 per cent this year from 86 per cent in 2016 in SSLC.
While addressing the gathering, Sengottaiyan, said: “Around 3,000 smart classrooms will be provided in Government schools and Internet facility provided to Class IX to XII students before December. The Tamil Nadu Government is also taking steps to enable the students to study through their cell phones. Skill training would be provided to Class XI and XII students so that they get jobs immediately after passing out from their school. The Government, through various measures, has created confidence among the Government school students to face competitive exams such as National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test (NEET) for medical admissions. Through NEET, 1,000 students of Government schools have got admission in MBBS.” The above steps are among the many being taken by the Government to bridge the gap between private and Government schools in the quality of education for students.
“From January 2019, LKG and UKG classes would be introduced to the 52,400 students studying in Anganwadi centres in order to fulfill the aspiration of the parents to see their children speak in English. To maintain hygiene in the school toilets, the Government, under a Rotary Club-sponsored scheme, will collaborate with German firms to install the technology in Tamil Nadu schools. One van will be provided for every 20 schools, and 100 vehicles will be ready before December,” Sengottaiyan said.
Responding to the suggestion of Dr G Viswanathan, chancellor, VIT said that the Centre and State should discuss with the managements of educational institutions periodically to thrash out issues concerning education. He urged for streamlining the recruitment of teachers in order to ensure that only those who are interested in teaching are recruited as school teachers. Government should take steps to put an end to the situation where teachers’ degrees are bought.