Olympiad Programmes For Remote Regions

With nearly zero student representation in the international Olympiads from regions like Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttaranchal and the north-East states, the Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education (HBCSE) has decided to start exposure-cum-training camps for schools and colleges from these areas.HBCSE is the country’s nodal centre for Olympiad programmes in Mathematics, the Sciences and Astronomy. The programmes aim at promoting excellence in Science and Mathematics among pre-university students. HBCSE have decided to start a large number of exposure camps for school and college teachers of regions which are rarely represented in these competitions. HBCSE want students to consider a career in Science. Another objective is to drive up the higher secondary science education in our country by training science teachers.Teachers from schools and colleges in these areas lack in expertise and training required to handle tough competitions like the Olympiads. Some may not be even aware of this event. Another reason could be insurgency and violence in places like Jammu and Kashmir and some pockets of Assam.Another focus area will be interior regions in states like Bihar and Chhattisgarh. The camps will start by the end of November. Teachers will be exposed to the experimental programmes at HBCSE; training will be conducted and some of the experimental kits will be given to the teachers.The Olympiads have a rigorous, three-tier selection process, which includes a nationwide examination. Around 35 students are selected to participate in an intensive “orientation-cum-selection camp” at HBCSE, after which the final team is shortlisted.The HBCSE has written to the respective state education departments, Kendriya Vidyalayas, Indo-Tibetan schools and Sainik schools, asking them to help identify teachers to attend the camp.