Best school of Asia - Time Magazine. One of the four innovative schools - Newsweek. Amazing school - Discovery channel.
These are just a few of the numerous laurels earned by the renowned Ramanujam School of Mathematics popularly known as 'Super 30' started by Anand Kumar. The Patna-based school has helped over 236 underprivileged students from extremely poor families crack the joint entrance examination (JEE) for admissions to the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) with flying colours. Most students hailing from the slums have now become top honchos in multinational companies. Interestingly, the school with a staff of just eight persons takes care of all their lodging and boarding without charging a penny.
On his visit to the city, Kumar stressed on the starting the Indian Teachers Service (ITS) on the lines of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) or the Indian Police Service (IPS) to bring back the glory of the noble profession which seems to be lost in the era of globalization. "We're facing a big shortage of good teachers. The real talent is not coming to this profession as it doesn't offer decent salaries compared to other professions. Moreover, the respect has also gone," said Kumar.
The mathematics wizard added that the government needs to take urgent steps to raise the bar for teachers. "Teachers are the ones who shape the nation's destiny. They're responsible for making kids responsible citizens of the country. Unfortunately, over the years, the level and quality of teaching has witnessed a sharp dip due to commercialization of education. The government should treat teachers at par with bureaucrats," feels Kumar.
On his foray into coaching, Kumar said that since the school education system didn't impart proper coaching, he had to start classes for tough competitive exams like the IIT-JEE.
"Our schools need to be upgraded to a level where a student doesn't require coaching for competitive exams. Furthermore, there is a big gap between what is being taught in tuitions and in schools," said Kumar who battled poverty to emerge a winner.
Kumar and his mother eked out a living by selling papads. His father's untimely death was a big blow for them. Though he could not pursue his dreams due to financial problems, Kumar was determined to ensure that students in a similar situation would not meet the same fate.
His non-profitable institution which offers quality education has transformed the lives of many students.
After his Super 30 assignments are over, Kumar and his team earn their livelihood through private tuitions.
Kumar however ruled out opening branches of his famed institute in other cities due to shortage of quality teachers who are willing to impart free coaching.
He plans to conduct a test for the students of the city. He may also consider giving them admission in his class.
Since three years, all his students have made it to the IITs. The students belong to the impoverished category like sweeper, tailor, daily wager and carpenter.
SCHOOL FOR UNDERPRIVILEGED
After tasting success in the Super 30, Kumar, a youth icon, plans to start a school for the underprivileged. "The school will be for the economically backward students. We will admit them from the sixth standard. Education will be totally free. We will impart quality education so that a student doesn't need to join coaching classes for competitive exams. It will become a reality in a couple of years. We're seeking help from the government for land at a subsidized rate. Again, we don't want free land," he clarified.
SUPER 30 FACED STIFF OPPOSITION, THREATS
Recalling the initial days, the mathematics genius said his team was bullied by hoodlums. Even the media was not supportive. "They threatened to close down our classes. One of our students was stabbed by a goon," said Kumar. However, after Super 30 started hogging the limelight, the media changed its stand.
Kumar's brainchild has now become a symbol of brilliance. His innovative teaching techniques are most sought after by students. "I want to dedicate my efforts to impart quality education which is only affordable to the rich," said Kumar.
CITY WORKSHOP A BIG HIT
Kumar's career guidance seminar at Saraswati School was a big hit with students and parents. The auditorium was packed with aspiring IIT students and other academicians. Kumar is a crowd puller in his own right. That was visible with students not moving from their seats. "Education should make you a better and wiser citizen. It's not a commodity that can be bought or sold. Quality education is everyone's birthright. Learning by rote only helps you to clear exams but understanding the fundamentals and basic concepts helps in the long run. Studies should be understood to develop the right kind of inquisitiveness," he advised students.
On students committing suicide after getting low scores, Kumar said, "Isn't failure a stepping stone to success?" adding, many of the underprivileged students he trained had a spark. They showed the enthusiasm to learn. He gave the example of Santosh, the son of a vegetable vendor, who is now a professor in Germany.
These are just a few of the numerous laurels earned by the renowned Ramanujam School of Mathematics popularly known as 'Super 30' started by Anand Kumar. The Patna-based school has helped over 236 underprivileged students from extremely poor families crack the joint entrance examination (JEE) for admissions to the prestigious Indian Institutes of Technology (IIT) with flying colours. Most students hailing from the slums have now become top honchos in multinational companies. Interestingly, the school with a staff of just eight persons takes care of all their lodging and boarding without charging a penny.
On his visit to the city, Kumar stressed on the starting the Indian Teachers Service (ITS) on the lines of the Indian Administrative Service (IAS) or the Indian Police Service (IPS) to bring back the glory of the noble profession which seems to be lost in the era of globalization. "We're facing a big shortage of good teachers. The real talent is not coming to this profession as it doesn't offer decent salaries compared to other professions. Moreover, the respect has also gone," said Kumar.
The mathematics wizard added that the government needs to take urgent steps to raise the bar for teachers. "Teachers are the ones who shape the nation's destiny. They're responsible for making kids responsible citizens of the country. Unfortunately, over the years, the level and quality of teaching has witnessed a sharp dip due to commercialization of education. The government should treat teachers at par with bureaucrats," feels Kumar.
On his foray into coaching, Kumar said that since the school education system didn't impart proper coaching, he had to start classes for tough competitive exams like the IIT-JEE.
"Our schools need to be upgraded to a level where a student doesn't require coaching for competitive exams. Furthermore, there is a big gap between what is being taught in tuitions and in schools," said Kumar who battled poverty to emerge a winner.
Kumar and his mother eked out a living by selling papads. His father's untimely death was a big blow for them. Though he could not pursue his dreams due to financial problems, Kumar was determined to ensure that students in a similar situation would not meet the same fate.
His non-profitable institution which offers quality education has transformed the lives of many students.
After his Super 30 assignments are over, Kumar and his team earn their livelihood through private tuitions.
Kumar however ruled out opening branches of his famed institute in other cities due to shortage of quality teachers who are willing to impart free coaching.
He plans to conduct a test for the students of the city. He may also consider giving them admission in his class.
Since three years, all his students have made it to the IITs. The students belong to the impoverished category like sweeper, tailor, daily wager and carpenter.
SCHOOL FOR UNDERPRIVILEGED
After tasting success in the Super 30, Kumar, a youth icon, plans to start a school for the underprivileged. "The school will be for the economically backward students. We will admit them from the sixth standard. Education will be totally free. We will impart quality education so that a student doesn't need to join coaching classes for competitive exams. It will become a reality in a couple of years. We're seeking help from the government for land at a subsidized rate. Again, we don't want free land," he clarified.
SUPER 30 FACED STIFF OPPOSITION, THREATS
Recalling the initial days, the mathematics genius said his team was bullied by hoodlums. Even the media was not supportive. "They threatened to close down our classes. One of our students was stabbed by a goon," said Kumar. However, after Super 30 started hogging the limelight, the media changed its stand.
Kumar's brainchild has now become a symbol of brilliance. His innovative teaching techniques are most sought after by students. "I want to dedicate my efforts to impart quality education which is only affordable to the rich," said Kumar.
CITY WORKSHOP A BIG HIT
Kumar's career guidance seminar at Saraswati School was a big hit with students and parents. The auditorium was packed with aspiring IIT students and other academicians. Kumar is a crowd puller in his own right. That was visible with students not moving from their seats. "Education should make you a better and wiser citizen. It's not a commodity that can be bought or sold. Quality education is everyone's birthright. Learning by rote only helps you to clear exams but understanding the fundamentals and basic concepts helps in the long run. Studies should be understood to develop the right kind of inquisitiveness," he advised students.
On students committing suicide after getting low scores, Kumar said, "Isn't failure a stepping stone to success?" adding, many of the underprivileged students he trained had a spark. They showed the enthusiasm to learn. He gave the example of Santosh, the son of a vegetable vendor, who is now a professor in Germany.
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