Children from Disadvantaged Backgrounds fail to secure admission
The race for securing admissions to some of the top colleges
in the city is so intense that many children from disadvantaged backgrounds fail
to make it to them. Though talented, such students are unable to cope with rising
cost of education.
St. Xavier's College in Navrangpura has documented an experiment that was diligently
carried out to help children from disadvantaged communities have access to higher
education. Its programme, called 'Jagrat', involved changing the college's admission
policy to ensure all students get equal opportunity. The college also formed a special
cell to cater to the needs of these students while they study in the institute.
A special education programme, called Youth Leadership Development Program (YLDP),
was also developed for the purpose.
"The faculty in our college is oriented by competent resource persons for the programme
which resulted in the coming together of ‘core group of faculty’ members for this
task. These members opted to become 'facilitators' for such disadvantaged students.
We have documented this process and have come out with a book," said Lancy D. Cruz
S. J, a faculty member of Jagrat programme.
The Jagrat program consciously emphasizes on 'learning through creative
methodologies'. It is a process of going beyond the classroom.
Courtesy: Times of India
