Students who took active part in welcoming the guests and anchoring the programmes from time to time were Vishesh Saxena of X ‘A' and M. Harika of X ‘C' ,while G.Ravali of X ‘C' proposed vote of thanks.

WIN LIFE BEFORE YOU WIN 'RANK'  : Mr. MANDAVA

Honourable State Education Minister Sri.Mandava Venkateshwar Rao addressing the large number of teachers and parents gathering said that he was envy of seeing the cheerful students watching the programmes with their parents very happily as he never had such an opportunity in his school days. He expressed his happiness for getting such an opportunity of being present to watch the joyous event.

He stated that just accompanying their child and cheering the programme would not fulfill the duty of a parent but each and every one should be aware of their responsibility in moulding their children in such a way that they face the challenges of the present day society.

He expressed that education is a powerful tool in the development of the society.  This goal could be achieved by the effective training given by well-trained teachers.  Such a child only can help in the construction of the welfare of the society.  He felt that students must be moulded into a righteous channel as the saying goes “Bend the iron when it is hot”  The task of producing a responsible citizen  lies totally in the hands of parents as well as teachers.

Finally he appealed to every parent to inculcate confidence in the hearts of the children whether they achieve or fail in any examination.  The motto of a student need not be always  achieving a top rank but he should become an achiever of his life goals and life values.

Finally he concluded his speech thanking one and all for giving him such an opportunity to share his feelings.

OXFORD STANDS FOR OVERALL GROWTH: MR. RAMAIAH

Mr. C. Ramaiah complimented the teachers and the management of  Oxford Grammar School for turning out the students with character. While referring to the school he said, “In our times we use to boast as the students  of Nizam college .Nizam college expected certain character, behaviour and discipline from the students. Every year 4 or 5 students of  O.G.S come to me and I see all of you through them . They have wonderful character, capacity to work  and dedication. That's why I respect the students of O.G.S. I came specially to compliment them. I want to thank the institution for contributing such students to me.” 

Mr. Ramaiah, the patriarch of coaching for IIT, admitted with all his modesty that it was the hard working students and not the teachers who were responsible for bringing success to his coaching institute. While lauding the students of present generation, he observed: “If you refer to the history of IITs in 60's and 70's we could hardly find A.P.students in different IITs.  But today it gives me pleasure to say half of Madras IITs are Telugu speaking people and in every IIT good number of Telugu people take admission.  It is because in Andhra Pradesh, taking admission in IIT has become a movement.  In our times we were not aware of the existence of IIT in the country.  But today all the students want to join IIT.  Students get up at 3 O' clock in the morning, comes to the Institution at 4 a.m and rush to their colleges at 7 a.m, study the regular college till 2 O'clock.  They complete their assignments till 10 O' clock in the night.  Because of this hard work they get admission in IIT, not  due to me.  My observation is that best student of present generation is far superior than the best student of previous generation.  At the same time I confess that the average student of present generation is worsethan average student of previous generation.”

Mr. Ramaiah, however, expressed his unhappiness examination-oriented system of education, as it makes the role of teacher insignificant and the part of the tutor prominent. He strongly defended the role of a teacher and said, “Unfortunately our education system centers round the exams. In this procedure teacher becomes insignificant and tutor becomes important. Text book is less important and guide becomes more important . When I heard your school report I was thrilled . Here is a school( Oxford Grammar School) which takes care of complete personality of the child . If exams are only criteria of judgement , then it becomes  coaching institute. Where ever a students goes he is asked to submit the bio data. Bio data mentions two aspects of the school what he studied and the teachers under whom he studied .”

Mr. Ramaiah welcomed the Chief Minister's decision to set up an IIT in Andhra Pradesh. He observed that there is a wide gap between haves and have-nots in education and asked the minister to take necessary steps to bridge the gulf. Before concluding his speech he gave practical tips making the children ready for competitive examinations:

“There is wide gap between qualifying exam and competitive exam. In a competitive exam memory , skill, reasoning capacity and analytical capacity is tested  and in qualifying exam only memory and content is tested. Let us try to create and identify the skills of the students. Passing of information and mere transmitting of knowledge is not teaching . I hope O.G.S will take initiative and create skills and set an example to others. Once more I thank you for giving me this opportunity and I hope to see all of you in the competition.”

Save Social Sciences: Mr. JWALA MUKHI

Mr.Jwala Mukhi, in his analytical speech, emphasized the need of linking social sicences  with the much opted subjects like engineering and technology so that the students will have cultural nourishment along with their advancement in career. If our young professionals go abroad, they should carry their culture along with them, he added. Had the Indians in US been culturally strong enough, they would not have become panicky and depressed, when WTC was attacked, he opined.

He expressed his displeasure in commercialization of education. He made an appeal to the Minister for Education to take steps to bridge the gap between the haves  and have- nots in education. He also requested the minister to remove barriers in the way of setting up private schools in the backward Telangana Districts. He was of the opinion that education should be affordable to every one in the society.

The Government must ensure that the future of a meritorious student would not bleak, he said. If a youth turns disgruntled after finishing education, he may either turn out to be a Naxalite or resort to ending his life, Mr. Jwalamukhi apprehended.

Literature would help the student in possessing knowledge and culture, the poet hoped. Quoting Tagore's much chanted lines from the Gitanjali, “Where the mind is with out fear”, he gave a call to the students to acquire knowledge without fear.

OXFORD OFFERS EXPOSURE: Mr. VEDA KUMAR :
 

Mr. Veda Kumar, Honorary Director of the School, in his presidential remarks opined that mere academics would not be enough for overall growth of the child. He said that he was convinced that a school had to take up the task of providing children exposure to many fields of activity. He explained how OGS could give such an exposure to the student successfully.  A tutorial may confine itself to academics but not a school, he observed. He went on in detail:         

He expressed his deep sense of gratitude to Mr. Ramaiah, for his accepting the invitation to be the guest of  the day.  Lauding Mr. Ramaiah's  services and commitment to education, “I have a lot of respect for him for his commitment to education and his simplicity. He is known across  and our Chief Minister has picked him up and given him the responsibility of setting up the best IIT of India in Andhra Pradesh.

Mr. Ramaiah has trained 1200 students for IIT. He started recognising the nature of the students of OGS right from the first batch. Many Oxfordians  have studied under him and got selected for IIT from Hyderabad. Though we don't believe in felicitations. We want to respect him and we have our Education Minister Mr. Mandava Venkateshwar Rao to felicitate Mr. Ramaiah.”

Mr. Veda Kumar found Mr. Mandava Venkateswara Rao, the Minister for Education, as a man with disarming smile. Lauding his services Mr. Veda Kumar said, “He manages all the problems but never looks serious. That is the reason  for which the C.M.  has selected him for this work. Education which plays a vital role in development was not given due imp ortance earlier. Now, a lot of emphasis is being laid on Primary Education, Adult Education, Libraries etc. Libraries and  Museums are very important for kids.”

Responding to Mr. Jwala Mukhi's observation on the decadence of social sciences in our system of education, Mr. Veda Kumar revealed that he had started a Journal, “ Bala Chelimi” for children to throw light on Various Social Sciences and faced many unfavorable trends in the market. He also said he would launch a movement of libraries and set up literary clubs in AP.

At this juncture he recalled the observation  made  by Kothari commission: “ India's destiny is shaped in her class room.”

A point I noted in Kothari's Commission Report  was India's destiny is shaped in her class room. It is for Mandava Venkateshwar  Rao to bring change in School Education and we are always with him.

He concluded with a fond hope that India would soon have “ Universalization of Education and Free Education at primary level” though legislation.