Project Plus 8, a character building programme implemented by the social strategic foundation is well received by the teachers, parents and also the underachieving students. Recently I visited the participating schools in Negeri Sembilan and Johor. To my surprise, most group leaders and the workshop speakers commented very positively about the programme and its initial impact on the underachievers.
According to Mr. R. Deva, “This is very good programme. My students are really participating in this programme. Even the shy students are coming forward to pick up the microphone and express their thoughts. YSS should continue this programme with next level. Now, we are rushing to complete the programme within the time frame. In future such programme should be implemented from January onwards”.
Mr. Deva is a senior assistant in Renggam, Johor Secondary School. According to him those parents attended the programme has promised to bring parents of other students for parenting workshop.
Mr. S. Bathumalai another group leader and a NGO leader has taken a special approach to meet the parents of the underachieving students. He has visited most parents at their houses. His effort has brought the result. Parents are showing keen interest in sending their children to this programme that is held after school hours on Fridays and Saturdays.
“Parents are asking why such programmes were not organized in the past?” said Mr. Bathumalai. He is the group leader for Layang-Layang Secondary School.
Mr. R. Thinakaran, a Universiti Malaya graduate running a private tuition centre is one of the speaker in the Plus 8 Programmes in Layang-Layang Secondary School. “Holding Plus 8 programme in a temple hall creates a more conducive environment for the speakers to interact with the students. Being the underachieving students they prefer new environment. This programme has made an initial positive impact on their behaviour”, said Mr. Thinakaran.
Ms. B. Vilvamalar is the group leader in Mengkibol Secondary School in Kluang. According to her, the students have expressed their various talents during the programmes. “Although they are weak academically but it doesn’t mean that they do not have any other talents and calibre”, commented Ms. Vilvamalar.
“Plus 8 is an eye opener for these students to realize their potentials and remedy their weaknesses. At the same time they identify other options available in government skill training institutions” said Vilvamalar. She emphasized on one point that the students coming from dysfunctional families are not admitting their problems to their parents.
Even though the father is an alcoholic, irresponsible person and mother is very abusive the students cover up as though there isn’t any problem. They try to protect their parents and family’s public image. So, we are unable to intervene to help or guide these students emotionally.
“It is an excellent programme. YSS should continue with these types of programmes because the secondary school Indian students need these programmes to be strengthened mentally and emotionally” said Mr. S. Vijayan.
This programme has brought a cultural shock to these students because they did not expect Plus 8 programme to be implemented without any fees and with free food”, Mr. Vijayan spoke from the bottom of heart. He is the group leader and a senior teacher in Kluang Secondary School.
Most teachers as speakers and group leaders have calculated that this programme is bringing positive impact to the participating students in their attire, manners, confidence level and is has also strengthen the teachers – students relationship.
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