Academic Intensive Care Unit initiative of Shaheen Group wins award

A unique project by the Bidar-based Shaheen Group of Institutions won an award from the Karnataka Bal Vikas Academy in Belagavi on Tuesday.

The Academic Intensive Care Unit (AICU) started by the group received the annual award for its efforts in supporting school dropouts regain entry to mainstream schooling.

Minister Laxmi Hebbalkar presented the award to founder-chairman of the group Abdul Qadeer.

Dr. Qadeer told The Hindu that the academy has recognised the group’s unique efforts of establishing an Academic ICU to bring dropouts to the mainstream by giving special coaching.

“The Shaheen Group has been running the programme for nearly 15 years now. An average of 800 students benefit from the programme every year. More than half of the students get free education. The AICU programme is open to students of all ages from 12-20. Any student who has dropped out of any class can join the programme,” he said.

“There is no entrance test. Admission is open all through the year. Such students undergo intensive training for one year in all subjects, especially those in which they are weak. Students from outside Karnataka are also trained in Kannada. Once the training is over, students are admitted in different classes, based on their age and learning abilities,” he said.

“The next year, they will be allowed to take the SSLC examinations. Once they clear these exams, they are ready to join pre-university courses. Shaheen Group runs two other similar programmes for slow learners and Madrasa graduates. Students who are trying to find it difficult to study PU subjects are admitted to the foundation course that trains them in basics of all courses, especially languages and mathematics,” he said.

“The Hifzul Quran Plus course trains Madrasa graduates into mainstream subjects like science, mathematics and languages,” he added.

“These courses are taught in a one-one fashion, with one teacher assigned to six students. The group lays equal stress on bright students, slow learners and dropouts. While the main campus in Bidar has around 10,000 students in various courses, the three programs for special students have a total of 7,500 students,” he said.

“The group is running a course in association with the Minorities Department. Around 5,000 students, all graduates from Madrasas from around the country, are undergoing training in the Hifzul Quran Plus course. These students are sponsored by the State government,” he said.

Academy chairman Sangamesh Babaleshwar, award winners, officers and others were present.