Kolkata, June 25, 2008: Launching a breakthrough
initiative that aims at making the vital subject of mathematics simpler, easier
and fun to learn to school students, NIIT, Asia’s No. 1 trainer and leading
Global Talent Development Corporation today, installed the first ‘NIIT eGuru
Math Lab’, at Ballygunge Shiksha Sadan in Gariahat, Kolkata. This also marks the
establishment of the first such Math Lab in the city of Kolkata.
Mr. H.P Malpani, President Managing Committee, Ballygunge Shiksha Sadan
inaugurated the revolutionary concept in presence of Mr L Balasubramanian,
President, School Learning Solutions, NIIT Ltd, Mr. G.K. Khaitan, Secretary,
Ballygunge Shiksha Sadan and Ms. Sunita Sen, Principal, Ballygunge Shiksha
Sadan.
‘NIIT eGuru Math Lab’—a novel concept, enables school
students to learn and explore mathematical concepts and verify mathematical
facts & theorems using tools such as the Geometer’s Sketchpad. This is a
dynamic construction and exploration tool that spans the mathematical curriculum
from Standard 1 to 12, being made available to Indian schools, jointly by NIIT.
Following the NCERT guidelines indicating that mathematics would be treated
as a prime focus area in schools till 2010, the state board in Kolkata is
committed to making the learning of subjects enjoyable and stress free, and in
case of Math, more visually appealing to enable better learning. In line with
this mission, CBSE, the apex body for secondary education in schools had issued
directives to all schools following the CBSE curriculum, to install a Math Lab
for promoting the subject. CBSE had also directed that 20% of the marks be
allocated to each student from the Lab Assessments, towards the final
marks.
Speaking at the launch of ‘NIIT eGuru Math Lab’, Mr H.P Malpani,
President Ballygunge Shiksha Sadan said, “It is encouraging to see how NIIT
eGuru Math Lab brings back the excitement into a traditionally difficult subject
like Mathematics. We are sure that through this association, we will be able to
popularize Math amongst students, much in line with the NCERT
guidelines.”
Mr. L. Balasubramanian, President-School Learning Solutions, NIIT
commented, “NIIT is committed to making education more impactful and
interactive by leveraging IT, and ensuring that the best tools and resources are
made available to millions of school students. We are pleased to find a partner
in Ballygunge Shiksha Sadan that is extremely progressive when it comes to
giving its students the best inputs for better academic results.”
In addition to providing greater scope for individual participation in the
process of learning and becoming autonomous learners, the Math Lab also enables
the teacher to demonstrate, explain and reinforce abstract mathematical ideas by
using concrete objects, models, charts, graphs, pictures, posters, etc.
Mr. G.K. Khaitan, Secretary, Ballygunge Shiksha Sadan said, “At
Ballygunge Shiksha Sadan, it is our constant endeavour to give our students the
best teaching and learning experience. NIIT eGuru Math Lab is yet another path
breaking initiative that we have brought into our academic system to ensure that
our students top the ranks year on year.”
NIIT, which offers computer and computer aided education 2.3 million
students across over 7,700 schools, brings its expertise and reach in schools
and will now additionally offer revolutionary ‘Geometer’s Sketchpad’ as part of
the active tool in NIIT eGuru Math Lab.
NIIT eGuru Math Lab offers Multiple Teaching and Learning Aids comprising
of Technology Applications, Videos, Manipulative’s, Measuring Instruments,
Tables and Charts, to schools. Based on the three pillars of
‘Imagination, Investigation and Interaction’, it provides an
opportunity to students to understand, internalize, discover and verify the
basic mathematical and geometrical concepts through concrete objects and
situations, thus building interest and confidence in students learning the
subject. The laboratory also allows and encourages the students to think,
discuss amongst themselves as well as with the teacher, and assimilate
concepts.
NIIT is working actively to make computers an intrinsic part of the lives
of children and also those of the socially and economically challenged sections
of the society, who may never have had a chance to integrate with the emerging
21st century environment, to give a better prospect to their future.
About Ballygunge Shiksha Sadan
In July 1948, a girl's school named Balika Shiksha Sadan was established at
54 Gariahat Road under the auspices of Balika Shiksha Parishad of North Calcutta
to open opportunities for the education of girls in South Calcutta.
When Balika Shiksha Sadan moved to its own premises at Vivekananda Road by
the end of December 1949 a problem arose. About 350 girls were not able to shift
to the new premises and so Ballygunge Shiksha Sadan was started on the 1st
January 1950 at 54 Gariahat Road primarily to accommodate these girls.
Subsequently, the site of 51A, Gariahat Road was purchased and the school
building was constructed. On 5th March 1960 the school shifted into the new
premises.
The History of the School cannot be complete without mentioning the names
of two persons, Late Sri Bhagwati Prasad Khaitan (Founder President) and Late
Sri Raghunath Prasad Khaitan (Founder Secretary and Later President). Under
their able guidance, hard work and financial support both provided and
collected, the school has grown from its inception to its present stature.
From a relatively small beginning the school has grown substantially over
the years to its present form under the auspicies of Ballygunge Shiksha
Samity.
About NIIT
NIIT, Asia’s No. 1 IT trainer and leading Global Talent Development
Corporation, offers learning and knowledge solutions to 5 million students
across 32 countries.
Leading IT magazine Dataquest has conferred upon NIIT, the Top IT Training
Company Award 2007. Rated among India’s Superbrands (2003-05), NIIT’s
Individual Learning Business offerings include: Industry-endorsed
programs for students seeking careers in IT: GNIIT, Integrated ANIIT for
Engineers (IAE) and Advanced Technology Programs for IT professionals.
For working professionals, NIIT Imperia, Centre for Advanced
Learning, offers Executive Management Education Programmes in
association with Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) at Ahmedabad, Indore and
Kolkata.
NIIT Institute of Finance Banking & Insurance (IFBI),
formed with equity participation from ICICI Bank, offers programs to develop
talent for the banking industry.
NIIT Institute of Process Excellence Ltd (NIPE), formed in
joint venture with Genpact will address the increasing demand for skilled
workers in the business & technology services industry by providing training
programs in relevant areas.
NIIT offers turnkey IT integration program for schools. NIIT has provided
computer-based learning to over 7700 government and private
schools.
NIIT’s Corporate Learning Solutions, offers integrated
learning solutions (including strategic consulting, learning design, content
development, delivery, technology, assessment and learning management) to
Fortune 500 companies, Universities, Technology companies, Training corporations
and Publishing houses.
Element K delivers learning solutions for customers and
partners through a tailored combination of catalog learning products,
technology, and services. The offerings include: vLab®:
hands-on labs, instructor-led courseware, comprehensive e-reference libraries,
technical journals, and KnowledgeHub™: hosted learning
management platform.
NIIT together with Element K is now the first and the best choice
for comprehensive learning solutions, worldwide.
For media queries, please contact:
Prateek Chatterjee, NIIT Limited, Ph: +91 9910201085, +91 124 4293041;
Email:prateek.chatterjee@niit.com