The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : Programme to develop soft skills in students

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, May 30, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

Programme to develop soft skills in students

Staff Reporter

Introduced by Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and INDUS project for rehabilitation of child labour

CHENNAI: The Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) and INDUS project for rehabilitation of child labour have introduced a programme for students studying in government and local body schools to develop their soft skills and intelligence in various creative fields.

State Minister for Education Thangam Thennarasu inaugurated the `Multiple Intelligence Camp,' a prelude to the programme that is to be integrated with the curriculum from this academic year here on Monday.

Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Thennarasu said: "Each child will have an aptitude for a particular task. This project will help tap their unique strength."

He also released a set of Compact Discs and a booklet to be used in the camp.

State Education Secretary Girija Vaidyanathan received the first copy.

Making school interesting

The three-day camp is being held in nearly 410 blocks across the State, including all 10 zones of Chennai district.

"This is an attempt to make school an interesting and activity-filled place of learning," said T.K. Ramachandran, State Director, SSA.

He said technology-aided learning would supplement the activity-based learning methodologies in practice.

The International Foundation for Carnatic Music, headed by Chitravina exponent N. Ravikiran, has compiled content related to music on DVDs and CDs for the project.

Mr. Ravikiran has also authored a book for the benefit of students.

The CD features several leading musicians such as Umayalapuram Sivaraman, Sheshampatti Sivalingam, Pakkirisamy Bharathi, T.H. Subashchandran, Sriram Parasuram and Shashank.

Other contributors include V.R. Devika (for dance) of Aseema Trust and S. Anand from World Wildlife Fund.

Corporation commissioner M.P. Vijayakumar and Director of School Education P.Kulasekaran were among others present.

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