Government colleges start mentoring programme for students

A few government colleges in the City have come up with an initiative to help students overcome their academic and personal problems.

The colleges have have introduced a mentorship programme, wherein the lecturers act as guides and mentors for students to overcome their problems. The initiative is considered apt for the youths gripped by turmoils, anxiety, examination stress and peer pressure.

The Department of Collegiate Education (DCE) is keen on introducing mentorship programmes in nearly 400-odd First Grade Colleges across the State. A circular too was issued in this regard in February.

The Government First Grade College in Devanahalli has introduced a mentorship programme recently. “We unofficially introduced the programme last year. The students face numerous issues beyond books, which require to be addressed urgently. Mentorship is an effort to ease their worries,” said J S Veena, principal of the college.

As many as 1,200 students study in the college and quite a few of them have been seen down with depression, anxiety, etc. As part of the initiative, talks and seminars are also organised to motivate students.

“We have seen positive effects of such efforts with even rowdy elements of the college turning over a new leaf as a result,” the principal said. The Maharani Science College on Palace Road introduced mentorship way back in 2006. “With 90 teachers and 1,340 students and there is a mentor for every 15 students. Students hesitate to open up directly with the college administration on several issues. The mentors act as a bridge, apart from counselling them,” said B Lalithamma, college principal.

Student strength

Nagalakshmi A Rao, special officer, DCE, said that the number of mentors in the college depends on the strength of the students. “The mentors are selected by college principals as they know who would suit the job,” she said.

Govardhan Kumar R, a second year student at Government Science College on Nrupathunga Road, admits that his college did not have the system. “Seminars on social and communication skills are organised once a week. But there is no counselling or mentoring for students. If introduced, it will prove beneficial for us, especially during examinations,” he added.