Awareness programme on competitive examinations for students and parents

Report and Pictures by Eugene Moodubelle
Bellevision Media Network

Moodubelle, 4 July 2010: Under the auspices of Fudar Prathistan and Catholic Sabha, Moodubelle Unit an awareness programme was organised regarding the various government facilities and competitive examinations for the benefit of 7th and 8th standard students and their parents on Sunday, 4th July 2010 at 3 pm in St. Lawrence Parish Hall, Moodubelle. Mrs. Mary Mathais, Assistant Commissioner for Land reforms, Kundapur Taluk was the chief guest for the programme. Fr. Paul Seueira, Principal of St. Lawrence Composite PU College, Fr. Lancy Saldanha, Principal of St. Lawrence English Medium School, Henry Fernandes and Mrs. Meera Lobo, President and Secretary of the Parish Council respectively and Charles Quadros the resource person were present for the programme. Quite a number of 7th and 8th standard students and their parents attended the awareness programme. 

In his introductory remarks, Ignatius Monis, who also compeered the programme, pointed out the importance of the competitive examinations and how students at the young age can develop an interest in these examinations and avail the government scholarships and build a better future in the government service. 

Monthu Castelino, the President of the Catholic Sabha, Moodubelle Unit welcomed the guests with flowers. Addressing the students and their parents, the chief guest, Mrs. Mary Mathais said that she had quite a difficult time in getting herself educated and became a commerce graduate in 1971. There was no one to guide her in choosing a career. She came across an advertisement for clerical post in government in a Kannada Newspaper and applied for it and appeared for the Karnataka Public Service Commission (KPSC) examination and secured 3rd position in the state and eventually joined the Taluk office as a first division clerk. If she had proper guidance she could have applied for higher post as she was a graduate and might have become a Tahshildar at that time itself. However, she had no regrets as with gradual promotion she is presently the Assistant Commissioner. 

She appreciated the awareness programme organised by the Fudar Prathistan and Catholic Sabha, Moodubelle Unit so that the young children would have an opportunity to understand various scholarships that can be availed by them through competitive examinations such as National Talent Search Examination (NTSE) and National Merit cum Means Scholarship (NMMS) examination. Mrs. Mary Mathais also pointed out the advantages of the government job and made an appeal to the students and their parents that a secured government job should be their aim rather than rushing to unsecured Gulf jobs.

Charles Quadros, as the resource person explained various competitive examinations and scholarships that can be availed from the government. He also made the parents aware as to when to apply for these scholarships, how to apply and where to apply. He   also gave information about the pre-metric and post-metric scholarships and how to proceed to acquire these scholarships. 

Mrs. Connie D’Souza, mother of Christopher (Chris) who is studying in the 8th standard in St. Mary’s English School, Udupi and also attends coaching class in preparation for the NTS Examination this year, narrated her experience as the mother who has to maintain a balance between studies and playtime of her son. She said that it is important for the parents to encourage their children to face competitive examinations and give them proper guidance.

Chris, speaking about his own experience as the student who will be appearing for the NTS Examination this year, said that other than his normal school curriculum, he has to study extra for the NTS Examination for which he is taking extra coaching in Udupi after his school hours. He pointed out that he has developed a determination to clear the NTS Examination and secure good marks so that he can avail the scholarship.

Mrs. Helen D’Souza speaking at this occasion said that her own daughter has received scholarship and advised the parents who were present for the programme not to hesitate to avail the government facilities and scholarships though they have to fill in few forms and submit them in time providing the necessary information.

Fr. Paul Sequeira, Principal of St. Lawrence Composite PU College, the chief force behind the awareness programme, encouraged the students and parents to know more about the various government schemes and scholarships and endeavour to avail these facilities and assured them that he and his staff would be always ready to help them in availing these facilities.

Most of the parents seemed to be quite satisfied with the awareness programme regarding various government facilities and scholarships along with the information about the competitive   examinations organised by the Fudar Prathistan and Catholic Sabha of Moodubelle. Mrs. Meera Lobo proposed  the vote of thanks.