KOZHIKODE: Inculcate, the Science propagation programme of the state government which was started almost four years ago, to find out and develop potential scientists at a younger age has been hit by lack of funds. The programme, designed for students who complete class seven and could continue for the next five years, had been lauded as a prestigious project of the kind started to develop the wizkids of the state.
The programme was started in 2010 aiming at propagating the need for science education among high school and higher secondary school students in the government and aided schools. In association with the five universities in the state - University of Kerala, University of Calicut, MG University, Cochin University and Kannur University -it was initiated under Kerala State Science and Technology Museum. When contacted, the university authorities informed that they were not holding classes for the past one year.
A parent from Kozhikode, who didn’t want to be quoted, said that though in the initial stage it was announced that `750 would be given to the student monthly, the amount was pending. “My child has reached class 10 now. Last year, no money was credited and a week ago, received `3,000 as scholarship arrear. When contacted, the office said that there is a problem with funds and they were not able to pay the amount regularly,” the parent said.
When ‘Express’ contacted Inculcate office, the project-in-charge R Suresh said that it was not earlier promised that the monthly scholarship would be given on a monthly basis. “When the funds are ready, that will be paid off,” he said.
But listen to Yusuf, who teaches at Calicut University Botany Department and coordinates the activities of Inculcate in the university. “The project was introduced to give the students with an extraordinary interest and talent in science, guidance and assistance in pursuing a career through scientific lessons and projects. Projects were invited from the students, to be submitted on a regular basis and they were offered classes by eminent academia in leading research institutes,” the coordinator said.
“We had sought that instead of the three-four day residential training programme, if at least a one-day session could be held at the university. But the answer was in the negative. I think the project does not have sufficient funds for even that,” Yusuf said.
The ‘Science Made Easy’ programme was for the high school students to build up foundation studies in science. This was planned to be conducted by the universities during the holidays of every month.
According to the project, students had to conduct experiments given in the textbooks of class eight, nine and 10. Students could interact with scholars and faculty members in the departments of the universities. According to the Inculcate project, apart from the monthly amount of `750, the AIM scholarship (Aptitude Inculcation through Mentorship) offers the students `2,500 as contingency amount to meet the expenses for purchasing scientific books and to visit research institutions, industries and other scientific establishments within the country. The scholarship will be continued after obtaining a performance report of each student every year.