Phone-in programme motivates SSLC failed students

Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat which had taken up a novel initiative of writing letters to all those students who have failed in the SSLC exam this year, took up another initiative to boost the confidence of students by conducting phone-in programme in Akashavani on Monday.

When all the attention was focused on the successful students post-exam, for the first time ever, a Zilla Panchayat has taken steps to address the problems and motivate the students who could not pass the exam.

The live phone-in programme in Akashavani aired on Monday between 9.30 pm and 10.30 pm, had a panel consisting of Zilla Panchayat Chief Executive Officer Dr K N Vijayaprakash, Deputy Director of Public Instructions Moses Jayashekhar, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyana Assistant Project Co-ordinator Geetha, mediator from Akashavani and four subject experts from different government high schools in the district.

The phone calls which were opened to the students who failed in the exam, also received calls from the parents, friends and teachers of the students who could not make it in the exam.

Giving details about the live programme, SSA Assistant Project Co-ordinator Geetha said that the programme witnessed an astounding success with at least 12 students, parents and teachers making calls and talking to the panel members, sharing their grievances, clarifying the doubts and giving suggestions.

“Most of the students were apprehensive about Maths and Science subjects as several queries were made on preparing for these exams. Along with the Zilla Panchayat CEO’s motivating talk to the students and their parents, the subject experts gave tips to the students on preparing for Science, Maths, Social Science and English exams,” informed Geetha.

The very fact that there was telephone line jam because of too many calls clashing at a time and calls received from the students of Udupi and Shimoga districts reflects the need for conducting such a programme.

ZP Chief Executive Officer Dr Vijayaprakash who initiated the programme told Deccan Herald that the phone-in programme was the continuation of the letter writing initiative to boost the confidence of failed students. “I was overwhelmed by the response that I received from the students and their parents for the letters forwarded post exam results.

Four of the failed students who had called me after receiving the letters told me that they were so depressed after the results that they had even thought of committing suicide. They said an officer writing a letter to them asking to be brave and aim at the future gave them enough confidence, which is indeed a moment of joy to me,” he said.

The CEO said that though it is not a revolutionary initiative, a small change brought in the mindset of children and smiles on their faces too would matter a lot. Such programmes should be continued in the years to come and we ensure that equal importance is given to the students who have become successful and unsuccessful in the exam.

“I am quite sure that the students who have received the letter and have listened to the radio programme will write the supplementary exam which will be held from June 18, more confidently, said the CEO.