When Anushika Devi, studying Class VII at Kasturba Gandhi Corporation Girls Higher Secondary School, explained various banking products such as home loan and personal loan to Corporation Commissioner Aneesh Sekhar, he was amazed and congratulated her.
Having observing with rapt attention the banking products showcased at the ‘Financial enterprise’ workshop conducted by American India Foundation (AIF), in collaboration with Corporation of Madurai, at Elango Corporation Boys Higher Secondary School here on Thursday, the students displayed various features of an imaginary bank, named ‘Students’ Bank’, a model ATM kiosk and the role of credit rating agency. Specially designed ‘currencies’ were also issued by the ‘bank’.
Explaining the objectives of the workshop, AIF State programme manager D. Baskaran said they had been functioning in over 20 States in the country disseminating knowledge through Digital Equaliser Program since 2001.
In Tamil Nadu, the AIF had been active in collaboration with Chennai, Coimbatore and Madurai Corporation schools. By using two methodologies – digital equaliser way of learning and flip classroom – the students were engaged. “Prior to classroom learning, students are taught the nuances of the subject contents. This helps them understand the subjects better and with more clarity in classrooms,” he added.
A few other AIF coordinators responsible for training teachers said in all 4,042 children from 13 middle schools, eight higher secondary schools and 14 high schools here would benefit over a period of three years and the subjects handled by them would include maths, science and social studies.
To assess the aptitude of the students, the AIF conducted a financial literacy assessment test at the national level. This year, EVR Nagammai Corporation School would be the only institution from Tamil Nadu participating in the second round to be held in Mumbai. Two students would be chosen for the event. Chief Education Officer (in-charge) Rajendran said the programme by the AIF was very useful for the students, as it gave them an opportunity to understand well the subjects.
