Balasabha camps for students held

KOCHI: Balasabha, the structured neighbourhood network of children, working on the prevention of transmission of poverty to the next generation, organised a camp for students during April and May as a part of their  development programmes.The camps were conducted in around 74 divisions all over across the state except two divisions. The camp was conducted for students aged between six and 12 and mainly for those belonging to BPL families. Students were provided with proper training in academics, sports and other arts and were also provided with food and other study materials like books, instrument boxes and umbrellas.The initiative for the programmes was taken by the Kudumbasree units which recieve their financial aid from the State Government. The students are chosen from BPL families and among them those who are outstanding are given priority. “We do a thorough research on the background of the families of students before providing them with the aid,” said R Thyagarajan, chairman of the Education Standing Committee.The government has recently come up with a counselling programme for SSLC pass-outs to help them choose their line of study. “It helps students have a better understanding on what they want to pursue. Even parents and teachers are roped in so that they can guide the students,” said Thyagarajan.The programmes were initially started for providing financial aid for 100 students who come under the BPL category with effect from June 1 2010.