THE GOAN NETWORK
PANAJI
The year 2020 has come with so many unprecedented occurrences. Incidents and things that were never witnessed or experienced became common during this year. The covid-19 pandemic has changed everything that was termed normal earlier “ it has impacted our lives in more than one way. Lockdowns and social distancing norms have restricted our movement. Work, study, business, travel, entertainment “ everything has reduced to a common denomination which is health. Safeguarding health has become the primary motive.
However, there are some positive repercussions too. One such positive person who carried out his mission undeterred; surpassing and surmounting the hurdles and overcoming challenging situations “ is Vyankatesh Prabhudesai, principal of Mustifund Aryan Higher Secondary School, and the founder of Aryan Study Circle.
Those who have watched Prabhudesai’s journey are familiar with his undented determination and commitment to his goal “ of training the super-brains in the State for competitive exams. And for the past few years he has been successful in churning out future engineers and doctors.
But didn’t the pandemic affect their normal routine of life and studies? “Yes, to some extent it did, personally, but professionally, I must admit, we did incredibly better,” smiles Prabhudesai.
As the pandemic hampered movement and limited the scope of classes, the institute shifted to online teaching.
And students coped so well that parents are insisting the school carry on online teaching even in the future.
Barring laboratory experiments, practical exams, demonstrations or some other important procedures, let the rest of the teaching be online, insist parents.
“As we didn’t have to pick up or drop our wards or to reach in time with their lunch boxes, it saved our travelling time, and gave them extra hours for studying. The pandemic has taught us many things and one of it is, use of the internet in a better, efficient way to enhance our abilities and cope up with day-to-day situations,” expressed one of the parents from South Goa.
Prabhudesai recalls how his students benefited from the interactive talks of 34 eminent global personalities from all walks of life, including astronaut Rakesh Sharma, the only Indian to travel in space and Rajneesh Kumar, technical consultant, ST Institute of Aeronautics.
The mentor-mentored system in his institute allows 10 students to have one teacher as mentor, who helps, guides them online and solves their issues, problems and difficulties. All exams were conducted online “ 100 mock tests for std XII, and around 30, till now, for std XI.
“All precautions will be taken while conducting practical, with three batches of 10 students each, which will be carried over three month-period. We shall leave no stone unturned to see that our students stay safe. We won’t take any risk, until the time vaccine arrives,” assures Prabhudesai who carried out all social activities and events online this year. “It went very smoothly, despite the pandemic,” claims Prabhudesai, the heart, brain and soul of this one-of-a-kind institute in Goa who, along with his team is all set to celebrate this year’s school annual day on December 13, albeit online.
