Examinations usually give sleepless nights to students. But teachers of a Government Higher Secondary School in C. Mutlur near Chidambaram have been burning the midnight oil by introducing night classes for students of classes X and XII in the school premises to ensure good results in the public exams.
The night classes commenced a month ago and the GHSS has emerged as a role model by guiding the students to appear for the public exams. Also, they get sundal in the evenings and dinner at school.
Regular classes are held till 4.00 p.m, after which special classes are held for 180 students including 72 girls of classes X and XII from 4.30 to 6.00 p.m. The students are given a daily serving of nutritious Sundal at 6 p.m. followed by a break of 20 minutes. The classes continue till 8 p.m. followed by night tiffin. A group of teachers on rotation stay back with the children in the night.
School Headmaster V. Manivasagam said: “Most of the students are from poor families from nearby villages and the objective is to address learning gaps. Hence, along with regular classes, we have introduced the night classes with a daily revision programme to help the students consolidate their skills of reading and writing in Tamil and English at their own pace. The programme focuses on slow learners and those who are unable to study at home.”
The students are also offered tips for attending exams and basic revision programmes to help them settle back into the school rhythm without added stress.
The school has come to be popular among parents and residents and they too have sent money to support the initiative.
“On learning about the initiative, philanthropists from Cuddalore and Erode have donated funds to the school for sponsoring night tiffin for the students every day. The students are offered Idly, Rice Upma among other dishes. We incur a daily expenditure of ₹6,300 for tiffin alone while another person had come forward to sponsor Sundal for the students”, Mr. Manivasagam said.
Students from 17 villages attend the night classes and the Headmaster has taken the responsibility to drop them at the entry point of five villages after school by making use of a van of a private educational institution.
The effort has started paying dividends. Students have been attending the night classes without fail and doing well academically in the daily revision tests. They are open to learning and the school has engaged teachers to focus more attention on slow learners.
