Lady Shri Ram College is the only college in DU where not a single reserved seat ramains vacant. How they do it? They do it through REACH - Reaffirming Access Capacity And Humanism. This was started by LSR in 2002 and is a concerted effort to empower students from socially and economically disadvantaged sections. Of these three meritorious students are awarded scholarships from Foundation of Academic Excellence and Access (FAEA. The scholarship of Rs. 18000 per annum covers their college fee, hostel fee, books expenses and also provides some money for personal expenses.
This is what the college says "Simply admitting students through reserved seats doesn't help. In fact, these students have a vey high dropout rate since they are not able to adjust to their surroundings and are not confident...Some of them have never used a computer and feel left out when their peers are so comfortable with it. Ordinarily, they would shy away from asking someone how to use a computer. This is where REACH comes in....We keep organizing personality development workshops where these students are taught soft skills that work towards enhancing self-confidence. This is what really boosts their performance and gives them an incentive to continue with education...The students are also taken for field trips to the Yamuna for environmental lessons and are also acquainted with interner and e-mail at computer workshops."
3 comments:
Yes, LSR are doing a great job. I wish all other colleges also start REACH in their colleges.
But it brings out the point that empowerment is needed at grass root level. Prepare students at primary and secondary level so that they get into colleges on their own and do not feel themselves inferior to anybody.
I think that this programme REACH is a wonderful idea. It should be introduced at grass root level, in primary and secondary schools. It will surely help in reducing the high drop out rates.
Yes, government should adopt REACH and give it a try in primary and secondary schools run by it. Private sector should also do their bit by providing resources to those schools who want to introduce REACH in their rschools.
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