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[THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26, 2004 04:33:55
AM]
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Helpline: Maths makes you mad? Call 55155242
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Shraddha Maheshwari |
Does maths give you the jitters? Does the sight of a string
of numbers awaiting solution make you apprehensive? Do you feel
you will never get the better of the subject no matter how much
effort you put into it? It is now time to dispel your fears
as there is now help for you. The Mathematical Sciences Foundation
(MSF) has launched a Mathematics Helpline, to solve all your
queries. It has its office in St. Stephen's College
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Dr. Dinesh Singh, director of MSF and maths professor at Delhi
University, lamented the shortage of good teachers of mathematics
who could make the subject interesting for students. He said:
"The aim of this free helpline is to make maths easy and
enjoyable for students. We want to assure them that they do
not need to despair when faced with a problem in maths. We are
willing to help them." He disclosed an interesting fact:
the number of girl callers is double that of boys. Does that
mean that girls are weak in maths? He does not believe so: "Girls
are rather more serious and sincere about their studies. Most
of them have sent good and sensible queries."
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Another interesting fact. He said the maximum number of calls
were from X class students. "About 80% of the calls were
from this segment and the reason could be that they are taking
board examinations for the first time. Students from other classes
too are calling us though this Helpline was primarily started
for those is classes X and XII."
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Dr. Manica Aggarwal, professor of maths in Agra College, who
is assisting the Maths Helpline, said that though it was initially
started for four hours a day, that is, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
, it has now been turned into a 24-hour service. She said: "We
are also receiving calls in the night. And the calls are not
just from Delhi but students from all over the country are calling
us. Teachers too are not missing this opportunity."
Rajalaxmi Bhupal (70), Shalimar Bagh, who has been a maths tutor
for the past 30 years, said: "The helpline is just not
beneficial for students alone but teachers can also benefit
from it. Last year, the maths syllabus for Class X was changed
and teachers too were facing some problems. This helpline is
very helpful. If teachers are clear on the subject, they can
guide their students better and easily. And the best thing is
that while solving students problems in the subject, they are
also helping them overcome the anxieties and tensions of examinations.
Thus, they are killing two birds with one stone."
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Damini Maniktala of St. Thomas School (Class IX), who called
the helpline on the night before the exam said: "This helpline
is of immense help, specially when your teacher is not available.
I was really tense when I called them up with a query that none
of my friends could help me with. The helpline provided a quick
solution."
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Kavita Narayanan of Carmel Convent, (Class X), who called
the helpline thrice in three days was all praise for it. She
said: "They solve your queries in seconds and that too
with fun. They make it look so easy. I would really like to
thank them." Ankit Mahapatra of Air Force School, (Class
XII) said: "It builds up confidence when you are down and
is a good experiment. Incidentally, the Helpline, which was
set up for three days at first, that is, from February 19 to
21, will now operate for one more week. Students can avail its
expertise and help now.
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Its contact numbers are:
Telephone No. 55155242, Fax : 27666300,
E-mail: cbse@india.com, msfschool@hotmail.com, helpexam@hotmail.com.
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