On the fourth day of their tour of Bihar, a 15-member team of journalists from Tamil Nadu visited the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar 10+2 Government Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe Model Residential School functioning in Rajgir. The team enquired about the initiatives undertaken by the Bihar Government to promote the education of girl students from disadvantaged communities, the school’s infrastructure, academic achievements and various training programmes provided to the students.
Earlier, the journalists had visited the Rajgir Wildlife Sanctuary and subsequently proceeded to the Model Residential School. School Principal Dr. Rajeev Ranjan welcomed the Tamil Nadu journalists and explained in detail the functioning of the school, its teaching methods and the progress of the students.
91 Residential Schools: Bihar Government’s Educational Initiative
Interacting with the journalists, School Principal Dr. Rajeev Ranjan said:
“Keeping in view the educational development of Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students, 91 residential schools are functioning in Bihar. Of these, five schools have been upgraded as model schools and are functioning with special facilities. Three of these schools are for boys and two are exclusively for girls.
The model residential schools functioning in Rajgir and the State capital Patna are exclusively for girl students. Girls from various districts of Bihar stay at these schools and pursue their education from Class I to Class XII.”
Admission Amidst Intense Competition
The total student capacity of the model school in Rajgir is 720. Due to the current limitations in hostel accommodation, around 560 to 581 students are presently studying at the school. Construction work is underway for an additional hostel facility with 160 beds. Once the facility is completed and made operational, the school will have the opportunity to reach its full student capacity.
A majority of the students studying at the school belong to the Scheduled Caste community. The school administration stated that around one to two per cent of seats are reserved for Scheduled Tribe students.
An entrance examination is conducted for admission to the school. A lottery system is also followed for admission to Class I. This year, more than 4,000 students applied for the 40 seats available in Class I, highlighting the strong interest among students and the competition for admission to the school.
Academic Achievement: 100 Per Cent Pass Rate
The school administration focuses on providing quality education to girl students from rural areas and economically disadvantaged families. The school has reportedly maintained a 100 per cent pass rate in the public examinations.
It was also stated that more than 80 per cent of the students score between 80 and 90 per cent marks. Along with improving the academic performance of students, the school plays an important role in creating opportunities for their higher education and future employment.
After Classes X and XII, students are provided guidance to pursue opportunities in various fields, including engineering, medicine, paramedical courses and the armed forces. As an example, a student named Chandni Kumari has reportedly been selected for Dakshina Valley Educational Institution in Pune.
Modern Technology-Based Learning Facilities
Various technological facilities have been established at the school to enhance the students’ modern learning capabilities. These include a robotics laboratory, smart classrooms, a digital library and a computer laboratory.
These facilities provide students with technology-oriented learning experiences in addition to textbook-based knowledge. Such initiatives help students develop skills required for higher education and future employment opportunities.
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Education Along with Arts, Sports and Skill Development
With the objective of ensuring the overall personality development of students, various extracurricular activities are also conducted at the school. Training is provided in painting, arts and crafts, dance, the National Cadet Corps (NCC) and sports.
Students receive specialised training in sports such as kabaddi, kho-kho, badminton, football and chess. Through this training, students have participated in State-level sports competitions and won several medals, according to the school administration.
Creating an environment that promotes students’ abilities in education, sports, arts and discipline is one of the key objectives of the school.
Nutritious Food and Healthcare for Students
The school also gives importance to food and healthcare facilities, keeping in mind the health and nutritional requirements of the students. Arrangements for providing quality and nutritious food to students are managed through the Jeevika self-help group system of the Bihar Government.
Special medical camps are conducted twice a month to continuously monitor the health of the students. In particular, the camps held during the first and third weeks of every month include tests for anaemia prevention and monitoring of haemoglobin levels.
Along with the educational development of girl students, taking care of their health and nutritional needs in an integrated manner is considered an important responsibility of the residential school administration.
Tamil Nadu Journalists Appreciate the School
The Tamil Nadu journalists who visited the Dr. B.R. Ambedkar Government Model Residential School in Rajgir enquired about the educational facilities, modern technological infrastructure, sports training and welfare measures provided for the students.
The journalists appreciated the initiatives undertaken to provide quality education to girl students from disadvantaged communities while creating opportunities for higher education, employment and development of individual skills.
Such residential schools play an important role in promoting social equality in access to education and creating opportunities for the future advancement of girl students from rural and economically disadvantaged families.
P. Velmurugan
Central Bureau of Communication
Tirunelveli