Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world
– Nelson Mandela
A good education is the cornerstone to a socially awakened populace. Education is the ability to think, apply it in the world and to know the value of life. It doesn’t limit with self education, but also to spread it to every human around us. KSSS works in areas where children face hurdle with creative education. Through this opportunity the child becomes a productive member of a civilized society by acquiring all the necessary skills. It is a fundamental human right in strengthening the respect for human rights and freedoms. KSSS Smart classes include students of class 6, 7, and 8 from the thrust area.
With an aim of holistic development of smart group children. KSSS conducted Regional Smart Samgamams. Classes were taken on Topics such as Time Management etc. by Resource persons of KART programme. Games and competitions were also organized for smart groups. Cultural programmes of smart children added colour and beauty to the regional meet. The Regional Group meet was a great success with the combined efforts of office staff as well as coordinator of the particular Regions.
For the year 2019-2020, smart new students as well as ex-students of smart group had a common gathering in the month of June. In the presence of smart ex-students, the new batches were welcomed. On this auspicious occasion, Presidents of the different GVSs, distributed tree saplings among students in association with the environment day and were given class in relation to environment protection and preservation. Ex-students also shared their experience in smart group and how far smart group has helped them in their developments. All this were an inspiration for a new beginning for the new smart batch.
In the context of the Centenary celebrations, KSSS conceived the Educational Scholarship scheme namely ‘Smart Plus’ for supporting Higher Education of 40 poor students of Standards XI and XII from the operational villages of KSSS. At the preliminary level a total of 100 eligible children were shortlisted from the 80 villages through the respective Village Development Committees. The hundred potential scholars were students of the XI or XII standards who were KSSS’ Smart Group students and obtained KSSS Smart Certificates. The scheme was inaugurated by Mar Mathew Moolakkatt, the Metropolitan Archbishop of Kottayam on August 7th 2012 and the benevolent sponsorship for the Scholarship extended by the Aykarathundathil family
A one-day training workshop was organized for Smart Group trainers in order to ensure the overall development of the smart group children (students studying in 5th, 6th and 7thstandards). Mr. Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan (MLA Kottayam) inaugurated the training that was conducted at Chaithanya Pastoral Centre. Mr.George Pulladu (Municipal Chairman, Ettumanoor) presided over the function. Mrs. Mary Philip (Coordinator, KSSS) and Mr. Sojan Mekalath (Coordinator, KSSS) made the arrangements for the programme. Training in handicraft-making was also conducted as part of the programme. Around 100 members from Kottayam, ldukki, Alappuzha, Pathanamthitta and Ernakulam districts attended the workshop.
KSSS organized a one-day Career Guidance Workshop to direct students towards a bright career. Fr. Sunil Perumanoor (Executive Secretary, KSSS) inaugurated the programme held at Chaithanya Pastoral Centre,Thellakom. Career guidance expert Mr. Abhilashnath, K.C. Vijaya Mohan and Bijo Joy led the input session, Career exhibition and Yoga class respectively.102 teenagers from Kottayam, ldukki, Pathanamthitta and Alappuzha districts attended the workshop.
KSSS organized ‘Sneholsavam2019’ annual gathering of Smart group representatives at Chaithanya Pastoral Centre,Thellakom. Ms. Reeshma Rameshan IPS.(A.S.P. Kottayam) inaugurated the programme organized with the aim to develop the overall skills of students. Dr. Ipe Varghese (HOD, Social Work Department, BCM College,Kottayam)presided over the meeting. Fr. Sunil Perumanoor (Executive Secretary, KSSS), Mrs. BessyJose (Coordinator, KSSS), Mrs. Lissy Chacko (Coordinator, KSSS) delivered speeches on the occasion. Gurushresht Award winner – Mr. U.K Stephen Urumbil(Principal, St. Augustine HSS Karimkunnam) led the seminar ou the topic ‘Way to Win’ as part of the programme. Mr. Justin Michael (Nodal Officer, Child line, and Kottayam) motivated the audience on the topic ‘Child Rights’. Group activities and cultural programmes of the smart group children added to the beauty of the programme. 350 Smart group children from Alappuzha, Kottayam,Idukki, Ernakulam and Pathanamthitta districts participated in the program.