Police clubs score as student members shine

Boys and girls’ clubs in Royapettah, Arumbakkam and Kodambakkam have not only been preparing students for the board exams but also imparting skills that will help them get employment in future. 

These clubs, which are set up by the Greater Chennai police, are regarded as character-building cells. Located amid clusters of slums, there are around 75 of them in the city, with over 300 students from Class 11 and 12 using them as study centres. 

Recently the top scorers from police boys club of E-2 station were felicitated by Mylapore DCP V. Balakrishnan. Students Pushpa, who scored 1042, Kousalya (1022), Usha (951) in Class 12 thanked the police personnel who encouraged them in their efforts and preparation. Keerthana (451) and Nandhakumar (433), the top scorers in class 10, expressed their gratitude for the contribution of the club. 

“We regularly run classes after school to support students in educational and recreational activities,” said TC Morarji Desai, in-charge of the police boys club. The club in Arumbakkam too felicitated its top scorer-members. Thirty-seven students associated with K8 Arumbakkam police boys & girls club wrote the exam, out of which 35 passed. Three students scored above 1000 and 10 students got more than 900. “Our top achievers are Yamuna V (1120), Yamini Saranya (1020) and Munira (1018). When it comes to class 10, 31 students from our club appeared and 30 passed,” says Suresh V, senior master at the club, which has been adopted by the HCL.

On the education programmes, he said, “Classes start from 6.30 am and go on till 8 am for both boys and girls. Most volunteers come to teach here after attending colleges or offices. There are night classes for the board exam candidates. 

When it comes to teaching important skills, R2 Kodambakkam police boys and girls club is a front-runner. It organises a series of workshops for students. Recently, the students from the club participated in motor skill development workshop where participants were taught coordination techniques, fine motor skills, hand writing, sensory processing, visual perception and speech. They also organise regular workshops on self-defence and English speaking.