Telescopes without a view

THIRUVANATHAPURAM: In the beginning of 2010, the whole student community in the city was enchanted by a celestial treat - the annular solar eclipse. Like never before, students, teachers and to an extent citizens were captured by the sight. The Communists in the City Corporation made use of the solar event to break some superstitions and underline their theories.

 But that was all. The telescopes which were distributed to schools by Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) under its prestigious project ‘Galileo Little Scientist’ and the many telescopes which were given away by the City Corporation now remain reminiscent of the event. Dust-laden in the rooms that have been named ‘Science clubs’.

 Galileo Little Scientist was kicked off in schools in 2009 by SSA to promote the enthusiasm of students towards Science. It was also the International Year of Astronomy with many a prominent science event in history celebrating its triple-centenary and more. It created much waves in schools in the city.

 For many students, it was close to their hearts. They began loving science, learning more about it and actively participating in the numerous programmes organised under ‘Galileo Little Scientist’ programme. But with the passing of the year and after the celestial event, the whole enthusiasm suddenly ebbed away.

 While in many parts of Kannur and Malappuram, there was at least a move to keep the spirit from dying out, in Thiruvananthapuram, it was completely forgotten.

In 2010, when the Year of Biodiversity arrived, naturally Science took a backseat. That there were no major programmes to observe Biodiversity Year in schools remains another issue.

 ‘’It was rains during most part of the year. It is now that we have clear skies. So, with the coming of vacation, we are planning to use the telescopes for sky-watching and revive interest in astronomy,’’ said a SSA official.

 Schools, which are immersed in examinations, are not in the mood to think of telescopes or sky-viewing now.

‘’In February, we had clear skies, but there were no programmes planned. Moreover, teachers were put for census enumeration which made things worse. We have not been informed of any programmes for the vacation,’’ a UP school teacher in a government school said.

 It is very rare that a mass enthusiasm is generated for a subject. It happened with Galileo Little Scientist. But, sadly, the Education Department or the local body could not sustain the interest of the students. The money, energy and thoughts that were invested into making it big among students have gone waste.

asha.nair@expressbuzz.com