Coaching Institutions- A boon or a bane

There has been a rapid rise in the number of tuition centres that are mushrooming in every locality. Coaching institutions are brimming with students seeking extra help in their academics. But rather than just taking a bit of help from these sources, it has become a regular and routine affair. Tuition centres can be compared to medical clinics; just as we go to seek help of doctors when in need. The same way we take help of tuitions at times when we need academic assistance. But is the problem so deep that we have to pay regular visits to these centres or for that matter, a clinic? Surely not. Tuitions are inculcating a habit of cut-throat competition among students and are preparing them merely for money and marks. This is a major obstacle in the growth of kids in schools, the atmosphere of studies and alertness is reducing day by day. The students are taking schools for granted, paying attention only in tuitions. They keep running from one place to another for tuitions and are not able to realize the value of time and time management. The teacher also are more enthusiastic in their coaching classes rather than in schools. All the efficient and teachers have set up their own centres due to the conveniences attached to them. Tuitions shouldn't be established institutions of society; instead, the quality of schooling should be upgraded to discourage the growth of these centres. The government must ensure better pay packages and conveniences for school teachers, well equipped schools and a proportional teacher-student ratio. School is second home for kids and it will continue to be so when the teacher and students stay as a family and hence, the senior students can help their friends in solving the doubts.Due to the development of tuition centres knowledge is taken to be a commercial investment that will pay in forms of highly paid jobs. School is a temple of knowledge where students are instilled with the right values and not just a guest for material needs, as in tuition centres. Its time when we ask ourselves- “Tuitions, a boon as a bane?” and act to get the desired result.

Students' Oxygen movement view

14/02/2010

Requesting PM and CM for regular visit to schools

After a long chilly interval, this year's first discussion took place with fresh energy, vigour and ideas and a new hope for realising all our dreams and a striving to achieve more marks in more fields to serve more people.
The much awaited student council was formed today which consist of student coordinators of different schools and colleges. The council took shape to make education the biggest issue and for addressing and raising the burning issues of society by the students.
The students placed their first proposal of regular and unorganized visits of prime minister and chief ministers to schools. The values are instilled in the students and the process of future making begins right from the school, where children learn and catch things that comes their way. The young students should be well connected with the decision makers of the society.
These visits, the students instead, should not be mere formalities, instead, they should be unorganized meetings with the growing kids that creates a shared bond between the young minds and the expressed ones.
Our system makers should reach out to kids and prepare them for the inheritance of responsibilities of the nation in future; to see how they are groomed and the values they receive from schools and around.
The children will take this as a pleasant surprise and will feel secured under the guidance and counselling of caring leaders. The leaders will also feel satisfied after monitoring the growth of the future torch bearers, and if they don't, they will take corrective measures to ensure a good quality of life in society for the individual. The student council members felt that the time and security of the prime Minister and chief ministers is very important but knowing this, they put forth this proposal as the process of nation building is equally important and it will be most yielding when the chain of bonding links all.
The care and affection shown will create a wave in the student community and they will respond with positive outcomes and will strive to achieve what we lack today- a harmonious society.

Students' Oxygen movement view

07/02/2010

Little Creation Each Day

The world has undergone a tremendous change through these years. There was once, a time when people were a part of the nature and lived in unison with the forests, the trees, the land and their surroundings. Nature had enough for everyone’s needs. The world witnessed the being of great saints and leaders who even lived to complete 100 years. There was ample time to indulge in art, literature and science. That world saw the creation of Ayurveda, having the power to heal naturally. The magnificent architecture, music, poetry and dance culture had also originated way back in those times. But, today it seems that the world has been put into a fast forward mode. From a balanced and fruitful life we have moved to a life full of worries, 24*7. Due to cut throat competition, the people are sacrificing their leisure time and are joining the rat race to attain worldly pleasures. People are ready to overwork and get exploited if they get heavy pay packets in return. The desire to fulfill all their wants has blurred the real meaning of happiness and fulfillment. Money can buy all the commodities but not the comfort peace or happiness. We are forgetting how to smile at our thoughts, at a joke or a kid smiling back. Small events go unnoticed; there’s no time for family or society. The meanings of refreshment and recreation have changed; it means dining out, a day at the park, the mall or the cinema hall. Discussions and conversations are off the list. There is need for introspection, analysis and action for our family and the society; be it an hour for a talk, a game of cricket for friends, a waste management drive for the environment or an event related to spreading awareness. Let’s donate some time for our own little creations each day. Not that it gives us a return in cash, but something more- it gives us eternal bliss and a wider view of humanity.

Students' Oxygen movement view

20/12/2009

At the centre of Non-violence stands the Principle of Love

Non-violence is the instrument for the strong, for the ones who have mastered the art of love, self-control and are pure from within. It is far easy to become violent with the crowd; just a flex of muscles and external energy with negative vibes required. But non-violence requires a lot more than that- the mind, body and soul alike. It is possible to be non-violent only when your inner fight, the fight between mind and heart, logic and feelings and the conscience and the superficial level, is resolved. When one is at friendly terms with one's external and internal system, then only can one move on to the next step, the one that follows non-violence- Love. But it brings us back to the same step before non-violence- Love; as it is a cyclic process. Only when one can love himself can he use the tool of non-violence for the others. The universe exists on the foundation of love' it is omnipresent, just like the unseen, the Almighty. Where there is love, there is the Creator and it's Creations. This can be subdued, buried deep and erased when our love flows everywhere just as there is no place for darkness when there is light. But, today, the opposite is what happens. Hatred increases every moment in the absence of love. We are getting weaker day by day. As we can't experience love, we don't move on to non-violence; no purification of the soul and no self-control. We indulge in violence that follows hatred prevalent in the present times. Non-violence not only eliminates violence but also the violence within. The struggle for success should not accompany hatred as it would only intensify its degree in the world. To cut off this chain, we have to project the ethics of love at the centre of our lives. When there is affection and teamwork in place of cut-throat competition, the results will be fruitful and more rewarding. Let us strive to make a society, an education system and our parenting full of love, so that the future witnesses well groomed humans with a non-violent outlook.

Students' Oxygen movement view

06/12/2009

OLD BOOKS CAN BRING REVOLUTION

Holistic state is a condition in which an individual is physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually well. A country can be in holistic state only when its states, finance, management etc. is in good condition, that is, a country with a better literacy rate, employment oriented education system and ample employment opportunity. India is facing numerous problem- illiteracy, unemployment, poverty and deteriorated education system. Until and unless these problems are solved, India can’t achieve the mark of developed country. Each problem can be solved by imparting quality education to the masses. But the question is- Shall we be able to give quality education to the children when education is so expensive and the economic condition is so low? A book is a bag of knowledge but changing the book sets every year with some modification, it is not only costing the pockets of parents but also our state and environment. Lakhs of books are published for each academic session with little modification and parents are forced to buy those books. It means crores of rupees and thousands of trees are going in waste every year. If students are allowed to use old books for at least two years, by receiving from up going students and giving to their followers as gift, we can save crores of rupees as well as teach them a moral lesson. We do the personal problems of students. Problems could be:- a sense of personal belonging may not come, the condition of books can be disturbing, useless pencil/pen marks on them, workbooks can’t be exchanged, modification in content material is excluded and some students may feel a sense of inferiority complex but each problem can be solved if we have to make a better society. Students will have to be little careful, that is, try to use your books as holy books, preserve your books for your followers, mark with pencil if necessary, inculcate a habit of keeping your study material neat and get photo copied all additional topics in your new syllabus. We urge to the educational community to think about it so that it may be implemented soon. We want a educational reform through old books, which is going to save crores of rupees and thousands of trees. Since our aim is to make education the biggest issue, we try to make the people aware about the obstacles in the journey of making education the biggest issue. Ignorance of educational community in this regard has made education a luxary, not a need and book sharing can be one of the most important step in bringing educational reform.

Students' Oxygen movement view

29/11/2009