Delhi University will train ‘gifted’ government school students

“The project was started in 2010 in DU and National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bangalore. The idea was to identity children with high potential in Maths and Science and to groom them towards becoming better scientists. We first held this in 37 schools in Delhi and 11 in Kanpur, and we identified 26 exceptionally bright children. Six of those 26 children will now get individual mentors like a mathematician and a scientist,” Jyoti Sharma, who heads the programme, said.

“The second leg involves identifying children in NDMC and MCD schools. So, we conducted a test in 90 MCD and NDMC schools and have selected 76 students who belong to the underprivileged community but have exceptional talent. We will now nurture them and run various workshops and counseling programmes to ensure holistic learning for them,” she said.

“After the selection, parents of these students will be called for counselling. A team of experts, including faculty and students of MSc Maths Education programme, will chalk out modules for the students,” CIC Director M M Chaturvedi said.

“The modules will run for six weeks and will include workshops, self-help tasks, counselling sessions and much more,” he said.

The programme will be conducted in consultation with the NDMC and MCD schools to ensure that the sessions are held on holidays and do not hamper with regular studies. “It is completely free for students. We will also provide pick up and drop facility to those who have been selected,” Chaturvedi said.