A class three student of the New Whiz Kids School Larkipora Doru Shahabad-Anantnag is in the news these days for participating in this year's International English Olympiad as well as the National Science Olympiad.
In both competitions, Malik Muhammad Sanan has won zonal medals of distinction.The International English Olympiad (IEO) is organised under the aegis of the Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) and is open to students of Classes 1 to 12.
The SOF International English Olympiad is conducted at two levels:
Level 1 consists of a test organised at each participating school during school hours. It is conducted on three dates. Each school can select a date for conducting the SOF-IEO as per its convenience. Each date of the exam has a separate set of question papers. The level 1 competition is a test of 60 minutes duration comprising 35 objective-type (Multiple Choice) questions for class 1 to class 4 and 50 objective-type (Multiple Choice) questions for class 5 to class 12.
The question paper consists of four sections:
Section-1: Word & Structure Knowledge
Section-2: Reading
Section-3: Spoken & Written Expression
Section-4: Achievers Section
There are separate question papers for each date of exam and the medium of the test is English. CBSE, ICSE/ISC and State Board syllabi are followed for setting the test papers.
Level 2 in which Malik Muhammad Sanan took part is conducted for students of Class 3 to Class 12. Those qualifying for the second round would include the following:
At the international level, the top five percent of candidates, class wise, who appear in the 1st level exam internationally.
At Zone/State Level: Top 25 rank holders from each Zone and each class.
At School Level: Class topper where at least 10 students from a class appear in the exam & scores at least 50 percent qualifying marks.
The National Science Olympiad (NSO) is also held annually by the Science Olympiad Foundation. The foundation's objective is to encourage students to adopt a scientific mentality.
It is a science-based competition for students of grades 1 to 12. The Science Olympiad Foundation (SOF) organises it to find and foster future scientists, technologists, and information technology talent in secondary schools.
For more than two decades, the organisation has worked to promote a scientific mindset among students across the country through innovative activities.
Schools in India, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Nepal pay the Science Olympiad Foundation a registration fee of Rs 125 including GST per student/Olympiad towards the cost of examination. Schools charge an additional Rs 25 per student towards honorarium of incharge, remuneration to teachers to teach and guide, and for other expenses.
No fee is payable for students suffering from any major physical disability. An Indian student whose parents have been martyred during defence operations is also exempted from paying a fee.
In terms of education, the UT administration is on a mission to provide access to quality education to young and aspiring Kashmiri youth to help them broaden their horizons, learn about different cultures and develop critical thinking skills.
The government has also taken steps to improve access to education. For example, it has set up new schools and colleges, provided scholarships to students from economically weaker sections and implemented innovative teaching methods to improve learning outcomes.
Though reviving the education system has been slow, it has picked up momentum over the last six to seven years. There has been an increase in the number of schools and other educational institutions in J&K.
J&K is now in the process of shifting from the 10 2 3 scheme to the 5 3 3 4 system of education.