Best Practice II

BEST PRACTICE II

Title of the Practice:

Outreach Programmes for Rural Community Development – Talent Quest for India (TQI)

Objective of the Practice:

• Our students performed the Talent Quest for India (TQI) which is a Holistic Development program to nurture young talents among rural students in various aspects.

• TQI is a beneficial program that focuses on developing the skills and abilities of students, particularly in the areas of leadership and communication. The program is designed to equip students with the necessary tools and strategies to succeed in their academic and professional pursuits.
• Leadership Development: TQI helps students develop leadership skills, such as setting goals, building relationships, and motivating others.
• Communication Skills: The program focuses on improving communication skills, including verbal and non-verbal communication, active listening, and effective feedback.
• Personal Development: TQI encourages students to reflect on their personal values, strengths, and weaknesses, helping them to develop a growth mindset and become self-aware.
• Networking Opportunities: Students participating in the TQI program have opportunities to connect with other students, mentors, and professionals in their field of interest.
• Career Development: The program helps students develop career skills, such as resume building, job interviewing, and networking.

The Context:

• Every year our volunteers are consistently working to inspire the rural students from class 9th to 12th to develop a positive spirit and kindle in them a passion for learning. Preparing for exams effectively requires a combination of strategic planning, consistent practice, and maintaining a healthy study-life balance.Here’s a comprehensive guide to help students prepare for their exams, whether it’s for the NMMS scholarship or any other examination.
• Talent Quest for India (TQI) Trust is a team of enthusiastic youth volunteers with a vision of creating socially responsible leaders in every community.
• TQI students are very enthusiastic to start their volunteering journey.
• TQI is a space of diverse cultures integrated together.      

The Practice:

• To train school students for exam preparation like NMMS (NATIONAL MEANS CUM-MERIT SCHOLARSHIP).
• Conducting LEARNATHON (It’s designed to encourage continuous learning, skill development and knowledge acquisition) for volunteers.
• Future guidance for school students by TQI volunteers can be beneficial in shaping their academic and career paths.
• Sapling planting initiatives for positive impact on the environment and communities.
• Panchayat education classes are conducted and they play a crucial role in enhancing community participation and understanding of local governance.
• The alumni meet is organized in a great way for alumni to reconnect, share experience and contribute further to the community.
• Providing clothing for rural areas can be a meaningful initiative to support communities in need, by implementing a well-planned clothes distribution program, TQI can effectively support rural communities, promote dignity and well being, and strengthen community resilience through collaborative efforts and sustainable practices.
• Conducted Book Festival that promotes literacy, celebrates literature, and enriches the community.
• Conducting Mudhivor Thiruvizha for elders concentrating their health and wellness, social activities and Educational workshops.

TQI volunteers believe in the motto – “Get fit in body and mind.”

The TQI teams are divided into 4 teams namely, 

• ZHAGARAM (focus on Tamil languages)
• ULLAS (Non Judgmental Listening)
• KANAA ( focus on Science)
• AWARENESS AND TRAINING (focus on Scholarship Exams)           

Among these four teams ULLAS come under Government control.

ZHAGARAM 

• Zhagaram is a part of the NGO for Talent for India, which aims to bring together young people who are passionate about Tamil and bring the pride and excellence of Tamil to their peers and future generations.
• Zhagaram is a tool for those who are interested in Tamil to learn and teach Tamil. It includes action projects like Thirukkural in a narrative way to bring the special features of Tamil books like Thirukkural and its life ideas to the students.
• Events such as dreams come true are an opportunity for speakers to showcase their talent.

ULLAS

• PCE TQI has been partnering with Ullas Trust (Social Initiative of Intellect) since 2014 across various districts for their summit classes.
• Every year our PCE volunteers are working on inspiring the rural students from class 9th to 12th to develop a “Can do”
• The personality development classes are conducted based on specially crafted lesson plans that encompass communication skills, confidence-building, memory skills, active teamwork, public speaking and leadership skills. 
• The summit programs are designed in a cycle of four years from class IX-XII, termed level I-IV. Each level is subdivided into 5 sessions.

KANAA

• TQI Kanaa – “Interact with Stars”
• The goal of Kanaa program is to bring science from fancy world to reality. It is achieved by making the kids do hands-on science experiments to observe and understand the science around them.
• The experiments are made out of materials that are found and used in day to day life, such as plastic cups, straws, bottles, glasses etc., which gives rebirth to used materials in the name of recycling. The program facilitates the students of class 7, 8 and 9 and provides them an opportunity to understand science through common sense. It helps them to take theories in their minds with logical reasoning than taking them as mere faith.
• PCE TQI volunteers team are implementing Kanaa at schools like Mallur(Salem) and Pachal(Namakkal).

AWARENESS AND TRAINING

• The government conducts NMMS, NTSE and TTE exams for students in the 8^th, 10^thand 11^th standards, respectively. Tamilnadu government conducts trust exam for 9^th
• Government school students who clear this get a stipend that will motivate them to study and ensure money doesn’t become a barrier to studying. These exams give a launch pad for students to attend other competitive exams with ease in their later stage of life.

We started training for these exams in 2020. Throughout from 2020 our PCE volunteers trained 500+ students from 5 different government schools, which even paved the way for the improvement of admission in a village government school. We plan to continue this with more passion and enthusiasm.

Evidence of Success:

• We are happy and proud to receive an award from United Nations V-Awards India.
• Exploring the student’s talents. Students say “Be the change you want to see”, if being the change is first, then changing the roots is the next and students’ talents are tapped.
• Through the above practices, the students work towards creating socially responsible leaders.
• Our approach to education ensures the all-round development of students by nurturing  their academic excellence, emotional intelligence, social responsibility, and ethical leadership. This has resulted in students achieving both academic and personal growth.
• They are not only excelling in their studies but also demonstrating emotional resilience, actively participating in community service, and taking on leadership roles with integrity and compassion. These outcomes are clear evidence of the success of our holistic development model, shaping students into well-rounded individuals who contribute positively to society.
• Our TQI Scholarship exam Trainers have provided guidance to students from various villages, including Ayothiyapattinam, Mallur, Pachal, Masinakayanpatty, Keerambur, Nallipalayam, Muthugapatti, Bodinayakanpatti, Malaganatham, Palayapalayam, Sivanayakkanpatty, Erumaipatti, Dasanaickenpatti, Alaganatham, Moolakadu, Nilavarapatti, Seelanayakanpatty, Thathayangarapatty, Rasipuram, Pudhuchattiram, Pudan Sandhai, Kalyani, Mullukurichi, Namakkal-Villages and Dharmapuri-Villages.
• As a consequence, more than 700 students from these schools received a scholarship of Rs.1000 each from the Tamil Nadu, Government.

Problems Encountered and Resources Required:

• Keeping volunteers motivated and committed overtime can be challenging.
• Volunteers may lack the necessary skills to contribute effectively.
• Limited financial and material resources can hinder the execution of projects.