The Hindu : Tamil Nadu / Chennai News : School curriculum does not tap brain's potential fully, says expert

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Aug 14, 2006

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu - Chennai

School curriculum does not tap brain's potential fully, says expert

Staff Reporter

Aspire Learning hailed for laying stress on quality and excellence

Prize winners of the Aspire Superkidz contest with (from right to left) N. Ram, Editor-in-Chief, The Hindu, neurosurgeon Ranganathan Jothi, CEO of Aspire Superkidz K. Swaminathan and director G.M. Paulraj at a function in Chennai on Sunday. — PHOTO: R.Shivaji Rao

CHENNAI: Students who topped the talent search contest, conducted by Aspire Superkidz, received prizes at a function held here on Sunday.

The contest, which was held on July 30, was designed for students in four categories: kindergarten; classes I and II; from classes III to V; and from classes VI to VIII. Over 4,000 children from the State took part.

Aspire Learning, a company which trains students for competitive examinations, launched the programme to develop various faculties of the brain for children below 14 years. The talent search was conducted to help parents know where their child stood in terms of special skills.

K. Swaminthan, CEO, Aspire Superkidz, spoke on how the programme helped children. It included various exercises to develop the right brain and the photographic memory of a child.

"Maximum development of the brain happens between birth and 13 years of age," said Ranganathan Jothi, neurosurgeon, said.

The current school curriculum did not tap the human brain's potential fully. "Holding theory and practical classes together will ensure better understanding," he said.

Chief guest N. Ram, Editor-in-Chief, The Hindu , lauded the organisation for the adventurous spirit and confidence with which it entered the educational arena as entrepreneurs. Mr. Ram also said Indian students did well abroad owing to the interaction they had with parents and grand parents. "The greatest wealth of India is the value that parents and grandparents bring to child development."

He lauded Aspire for emphasising on quality and excellence and at the same time, making their programmes accessible and affordable.

He suggested that the company reconsider the name `Superkidz' as children needed to be taught to be modest. The company could do without such hyped marketing terms.

The top three scorers in each category were awarded prizes. The contest was held in 10 centres across the state.

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