AHMEDABAD: 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 a '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 SJ, 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.
Source: Timesofindia
