SSA residential camp for girls begins
Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 15 2012:
A residential camp for girl students of upper primary level belonging to the SC/ST and minorities group has been formally inaugurated today at Uripok Boys' Tondonbisana High School.
The six-day event to be held till March 19 also features an educational exhibition cum children's programme and is being organised by the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan State Mission Authority.
As chief guest of the inauguration programme, Manipur State Bharat Scout and Guide's State Chief Commissioner Th Ibopishak Singh said apart from academic lessons, students should be encouraged to get involved in various extra-curricular activities in order to tap their talents in diverse fields.
Emphasising on conducting similar camps at different locations of the state, Ibopishak stated that by providing a common platform the younger generation would able to familiarise with the culture and traditions of their peers as well as share invaluable information amongst themselves.
Speaking at the occasion, SSA's Additional State Project Officer L Nandakumar informed that 10 students each, in between class I to VIII standards, from each of the nine districts are taking part at the camp.
Exuding confidence that such a camp will imbibe discipline among the participants, he strongly advocated inclusion of similar events in the school curriculum for all-round growth of the younger generation.
Participants of the camp will be provided first hand knowledge on vocational education in addition to taking part at painting competitions and exhibitions on handicraft and sculpturing and lessons about yoga and aerobics, Nandakumar added.
SSA State Coordinator Chandrakumar in his address informed that students from class I to VIII are being provided mandatory and free education in the state under SSA from the 2005-06 session even though the noble programme was implemented in other parts of the country since 2001 .
Noting that pass percentage of Manipuri students in various examinations is yet to reach the expected rate, he opined that widespread public awareness would be helpful in improving the situation.
The camp also has ten stalls displaying various handicraft models/items while resource persons would elaborate in diverse issues during the six-day period.