Mangaluru: 10 Students from CFAL Selected in NTSE 2015-16

Mangaluru: Addressing the media persons during a press meet held at Mangalore Press Club, Ms. Severine Rosario, Program Coordinator, Centre for Advanced Learning (CFAL) said ” Ten students studying at Centre For Advanced Learning (CFAL) Mangalore qualify for the final stage of the prestigious National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) state level -2015-16. Selected students are (seen in the Pic): Suraj S (Rank 11) , Prajna Hebbar (Rank 13) , Praneet Nayak (Rank 17), Krishna Swaroop (Rank 18) , Aditya Prakash (Rank 20) , Shreesha Bhat (Rank 20) , Rashmi B, Kasangeri (Rank 21), Kshipraj U (Rank 21) , Ajay K P (Rank 21) , Anvith M (Rank 22). Success in the NTSE examination is a great achievement. In Karnataka, 81,146 students took the examination which was held on 8th November 2015 and only 208 students (0.256%) including all categories have been selected among them. A total of 4,575 students had appeared from Dakshina Kannada,. www.dsert.kar.nic.in

“These selected students have carved a name for themselves and for Mangaluru by qualifying in the statewide NTSE examination. These ten successful students from Mangaluru were trained at CFAL. These students will now appear for the final stage of NTSE that will be held on 8th May, 2016. National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) is conducted by National Council for Education Research and Training (NCERT), Government of India. The purpose of the exam is to identify outstanding students of 10th standard and help them get the best possible education in India. For this, NTSE scholars receive generous financial assistance from the government. Success in this examination is a great achievement. Every year 1000 students from all over the country get selected as National Talent Scholars and receive the scholarship” added Ms Rosario.

Also speaking during the press meet, Ms. Sonia Moras, Program Coordinator, The Learning Centre (TLC) said, ” NTSE examinations test analytical and logical skills. A good understanding of the subject is needed and rote learning or memorization will not yield results. In earlier years, there were very few selections from Mangaluru in NTSE. Since CFAL began instilling an interest in math and science in Mangaluru, this number has increased over the years and currently, CFAL is breaking all records in the region. CFAL is part of The Learning Centre (TLC) and is situated at Bejai-Kapikad Road, Mangaluru”.

Ms Moras further said, “TLC located at the same premises of CFAL aims to promote a passion for Math and Science learning among students and has the best results in Mangaluru in all STEM related examinations including JEE, NTSE, KYPY, Olympiads etc. The outstanding results of our students proves that given the right learning environment, children from the region can outperform their peers from the Tier 1 cities. While rote-learning and learning for the sake of marks characterizes many institutions in the region, passion for the subject is what TLC aims to attain. The outcome is deep understanding of the subject and excellence in math and science. The vision of TLC is to inculcate interest in basic sciences and to encourage research and innovation in the field of Math and Science.

National Talent Search Examination (NTSE). Eligibility: Students studying in 10th standard. Website: www.ncert.nic.in

CFAL works with children from Class 1 to Class 12. The subjects dealt with at CFAL are Maths and Science.

Unlike school or board exams, where rote learning and memorizing can help in attaining marks, concept clarity and problem solving skills are essential to do well in highly competitive exams like JEE-Advanced/Main, AIIMS/ AIPMT, Olympiads, KVPY etc. Our students develop an alternative, hands-on and practical approach in understanding STEM subjects at an early age- this helps them excel in these challenging examinations.

CFAL has consistently had the best results in Mangalore with many of our students getting into the IITs, NITs, IISc, IISER, ISI and other premier institutions in the country.

A combination of passion for the subject and hard work has made this success possible. Our students who have developed strong conceptual understanding, logical reasoning, independent thinking and creativity have consistently outperformed their peers from mainstream schools.

Childhood is a precious time – full of love, happiness and learning. As human beings, most of our learning happens during these early years- they build the foundation that shapes our growth and ability to learn.

While childhood used to be associated with joy and learning, today, children are subjected to stressful tests, uniforms, rote learning, cursive writing and mindless repetition at an increasingly young age. Music, Dance, Art, Stories, Dramatics, Outdoor and Free play are considered irrelevant. Reading and libraries for young children are non-existent. The ability to write is seen as the most important marker of success. In such environments, the child’s innate love for learning is gradually lost and the child’s natural curiosity is quietly suppressed. Independent thinking is sidelined and as early as Kindergarten, emphasis is placed on marks and entrance exams.

The irony of this sad situation is that this pressure to perform at a young age has not translated to successful results at an older age. We are aware that children live in a competitive world, however, there is a time and place for everything and pressuring children to “perform” should not begin at Kindergarten. While we have the best results in Karnataka in some of the most difficult examinations in the country, most schools that put excessive pressure on children are still stuck in the same vicious cycle of low or average performance. We are very happy to introduce a paradigm shift in early education!

Children learn and develop well when they receive love, attention and encouragement. They self-regulate better when they are trusted and their rights are respected. An enriching environment where all aspects of their personality is developed is what we provide at ELC. Come visit us and be prepared to be amazed!

ELC is a kindergarten that works with children aged 1 ½- 6 years.

For further information, you can call the Program Coordinators at 9845737120, 9740939374 or 9901115108