Prof. C. Raveendranath, Hon’ble Minister for Education,

Shri Hibi Eden, MLA, Ernakulam,

Shri Mohan Kumar, IAS, Director of Public Instruction,

Shri K. Mohammed Y. Safarulla IAS, District Collector,

Smt. Patil Pranjal Lahen Singh, IAS, Assistant Collector,

Shri C.A. Santhosh, Deputy Director of Education,

Priyappetta Adhyapakare,

Sneham Niranja Vidyarthikale,

Sahodaree Sahodaranmare

Ellavarkkum Ente Namaskaram

       I am extremely happy to inaugurate this year's activities of the Puthu Yugam Comprehensive Educational Project, initiated by the District Administration of Ernakulam. 

       As we all know, our democratic society is built on the dreams of human dignity and equality. Education is the key to the fulfillment of such social dreams. A stronger education enhances people's capacity to assert their rights for a better life.  The Puthu Yugam Project, which seeks to enhance the level of education of the economically and socially backward children of government and aided schools is, therefore, a laudable venture. I convey my wholehearted appreciation for the District Administration of Ernakulam for implementing this Project.

       It is also well known that Education should be imparted with a view of the type of society that we wish to build. We are at the threshold of a knowledge society, which is going to offer us many opportunities to compete and corner many jobs at the global level. We are also awaiting a demographic dividend, with  more than half of our population coming in the employable age. Thus,   we need to make conscious efforts to enable our youth to utilize the opportunities through education.

       I am told that Puthu Yugam is a platform for imparting training for Medical and Engineering Entrance Examinations and for giving English language support to meritorious students in the Plus Two level.  The demand for Medical and Engineering seats has always been high considering the job opportunities and the social status attached to these professions. The challenge before the students is to secure a high rank so that they get admission in the best colleges at the cheapest rates. Since the competition is very high, the difficulty level of the entrance tests is also high. This calls for specialized training to crack these tests. Unfortunately, the majority of our students cannot afford the cost of such training.

       The entrance exams require an approach which is entirely different from that of the school exams. Since the syllabus coverage is wider in the Entrance test, students cannot exclude any chapters. For instance, the NEET exam, which has 150 questions demands a student to be adept in at least an equal number of concepts. Besides, the objective type questions are not solved with the correct answer; instead they demand the most appropriate answer from among the many correct answers. In depth study and constant practice may be a solution, but the expense involved is often unmanageable. It is here that a training project like Puthu yugam comes to the aid of the deserving students. It is good to know that the strength of students has increased to 450 from last year's 400.

       As all of us know, the Government of Kerala has been making all efforts to improve the quality of education in the school level by introducing smart classrooms and by raising schools to international levels. However, with the limited resources, it may not be easy for the Government to provide services like Entrance coaching to all students.  It is therefore appropriate that Puthu yugam has sought the contribution from business houses.

       All over the world, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) has been seen as the mark of an organization's commitment to society. In fact, India is the first country in the world to make Corporate Social Responsibilitymandatory. For this, we had   amended the Company Act, 2013 in April 2014, to allow business houses to invest their profits in Education, poverty alleviation, bringing gender equality etc., I am happy that Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, Cochin shipyard Ltd representing the Public sector and Alphons Kannanthanam Academy for Career Excellence and Sutherland Group from the private sector have joined hands to enable the rise of Puthu Yugam.

       I hope more business houses and other agencies would come forward to sponsor such academic initiatives in future. Kerala's dream of setting a model in education can be realized if companies operating in the State collaborate in educational ventures as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility.
I would suggest a campaign within a time frame so that a major share of CSR funding flows into the educational sector. 

       Our aim should also be to extend this training to entrance exams like Combined Law Admission Test (CLAT), National Defense Academy (NDA), Naval Academy and others which also have many aspirants from the weaker sections. Sadly, only very few students from the weaker sections get trained for these exams as they cannot afford the high fees. 

       Earlier, the Government had initiated a Public Entrance Examination Coaching Scheme (PEECS), with the technical support of IT At School and Victors Channel. Since the Government has such network and infrastructure, we should think of utilizing such facilities with better coordination among various departments engaged in education.  A revival of this scheme could be considered.

       While imparting such training to students, it is also important to consider modules that would teach them life skills and improve their communication. Let us not forget that good communication skill is one factor that decides a person's employability.  It is not wise to think of such skills after graduation; it has to start from school level itself so that children will communicate confidently. 

       To conclude, I would request all students to make use of this training and to do well in the examinations. Remember that good education is the strongest weapon to fight the inequalities that we face in society. With good education, we can identify new opportunities and solve our problems. A good education will also widen our vision of society and give us the strength to give back to society a share of what we have earned.  I wish you all the best.

       I once again congratulate the district Administration of Ernakulam for initiating this programme and hope other districts would follow this example.

       I also compliment the organizers for conducting this function in a befitting manner.

Ellavarkkum Ente Aashamsakal

Nanni

Jai Hind