Navayug School - yaadein
EYE OPENER View of the Sarojini Nagar Navyug School
Navayug In News
A School with a difference
(April 22, 2006)
Navyug have become case studies for many `Corporate schools in the country
The moment when we talk of government and corporation schools, images of shabbily dressed students squatting on dirty floor comes to our mind. But Navyug Schools under New Delhi Municipal Corporation seem to be different. The schools have become case studies for many `Corporate' schools in the country. The middle and upper class children due to their family background were always at an advantageous position compared to the children of the working class. It is a common knowledge that better educational facilities appear to be made available in private schools than the institutions of the Government. This has created a class of `Educated Elite' who enjoy a definite advantage when it comes to exploiting opportunities for higher and professional education and as well in the job market. The Navyug Schools under NDMC have broken this myth with their innovative approach.To provide better facilities for gifted and intelligent children belonging to the below poverty line category, NDMC had experimented with a system in their corporation perview. Objectives* To impart free and quality education to the children of economically backward class. * To provide education on par with public schools and to give an equal opportunity to such talented children.* To give better educational facilities and opportunities to the gifted children who are intelligent.* To provide all-round facilities to the poor children living within the New Delhi Parliamentary constituency.* Started with the aim to bridge the gap between the rich and poor by providing better quality education free of cost.* The focus is not just on teaching but also for all round development of an individual. Syllabus and medium of instruction All the Navyug Schools follow CBSE syllabus and NCERT Books from class-I to XII in English language. The teacher-student ratio is systematically restricted to 35 per class.Administration and admission:The maintenance and administration of Navyug schools are provided by NDMC through Navyug Schools Education Society (NSES). Approximately the NDMC is spending Rs.1.20 crores a year on each school.All the schools have well-furnished classrooms, well-equipped libraries, all the three types of science labs, air-conditioned computer labs and swimming pools. Teachers are exclusively appointed for arts and crafts, music and dance and other co-curricular activities. The students are admitted through the entrance test conducted by SCERT.Bus facilityThe Delhi Transport Corporation provides buses for students by collecting a nominal fee. NDMC also provides free mid-day meal to all the students. The revealing observations About 40 to 45 per cent of students join professional courses like medical and engineering each year. In the current year one girl is studying at IIM Ahmedabad while four others have got admitted in AIIMS. Today the schools can boast that over 22 of its students are now placed in senior positions as IAS and IPS officers.Mr. Rajesh Bhushan, principal secretary, Ministry of Health and Family welfare, is the president of alumni association of the Sarojini Nagar School. Rooted within the concept of secularism, democracy and socialism the Navyug scheme symbolises NDMC's determination to provide the best educational services to the economically backward classes.
J. PADMAKUMARI
(Research scholar Andhra University)