Performance of the institution in one area distinctive to its vision, priority and thrust.

Meenakshi College for Women is an institution built on the values that service to humanity is the loftiest form of worship. The vision of the college is to impart the values of patriotism, integrity and compassion for the underprivileged in a conscious manner.

The priority of the institution is to educate the socially and economically disadvantaged sections of society and first-generation women learners, in an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere. It also shapes the young women into skilled, responsible, disciplined and socially conscious citizens so that they imbibe the cardinal virtues of Faith, Fidelity and Fortitude.

Inclusive higher education for the benefit of girls belonging to all sections of society is given top most priority.

Education is the most crucial investment in human development. Higher education must play its part in tackling democratic challenges. This means ensuring that higher education is inclusive.

Implicit social responsibility

Educational institutions have an implicit social responsibility to ensure that their practices work for the benefit of all students. Education is a means to realization of a variety of ends: employment opportunities, higher productivity and income, better health, greater social and political participation, and above all enhancing individual’s personal and social wellbeing The thrust has been over the years to improve the societal status of girl students from lower income groups and first generation women learners.

Thrust areas

Making higher education systems inclusive and connected to society is brought about by

• Giving priority during admission

• Getting scholarships for needy students ( both government , institutional and individual )

• providing the right conditions for students of different backgrounds to succeed

• Providing adequate classroom facilities

• Well equipped seminar halls

• Research centre for students seeking higher education

• Online coaching to face competitive examinations ( SAR and GK )

• Quality Control Circles course (OQCC) is offered to all UG and PG students along with a presentation component, to build problem-solving, team work and presentation skills.

• Well stocked library with internet facility

• Sports persons are given extra weightage

• Placement assistance on completion of studies

• Implementing a curriculum that is holistic

How the institution implements inclusiveness in all spheres

During the process of admission the institution wholeheartedly chooses students whose parents belong to the economically disadvantaged group. The privileged and the under privileged are not shown any discrimination- in fact no one knows the background of the students other than their mentors . This inclusiveness is a very healthy practice as the girls will soon be part of the larger corporate world. This democratic outlook will teach them how to handle people from different strata of society with the same kind of openness that they encountered at this institution.

Institutional commitment to inclusive learning and teaching is evident in its

• curriculum design and contents

• pedagogy and curriculum delivery

• student assessment and feedback

Successful inclusive education happens primarily through accepting, understanding, and attending to student differences and diversity, which include physical, cognitive, academic, social, and emotional. Inclusive aspects in teaching and learning is evident in the college through peer-supported learning in the form of pair-work, cooperative grouping, and peer tutoring.

The type of classroom climate and the teaching techniques can produce an environment that either supports or impedes students from diverse backgrounds. The college therefore takes utmost care in implementing a curriculum that is all inclusive and not lopsided to facilitate the advanced learners alone.

The positive impact of these inclusive classroom environments have shown obvious results in the increased pass percentage of the students across all disciplines . Inclusive assessment involves the use of fair and effective assessment methods and practices that enable all students to demonstrate what they know, understand and can do. An important factor in effective inclusive education is the implementation of consistent behavioral supports throughout the learning environment. This consistency is essential for the success of students coming from home situations that are less supportive or from economically dependent environments.

Resources required for inclusive assessment

• Introduction of ICT

• Appropriate assessment pattern

• Preparation of appropriate text book material

• Determining activities to encourage all students

Sustained support for the underprivileged learners

Meticulous efforts are taken to get Government scholarship for BC, MBC,SC & ST students as well as private scholarships . Peer teaching and remedial teaching are some of the methods adopted to help the learners perform better. During the first semester the pass percentage is not too high but with the sustained effort taken by teachers, mentors and peers alike, students who are at the margins show a significant improvement .The students from disadvantaged socio-economic groups lack basic skills such as literacy, numeracy and digital competence due to lack of exposure. The college has therefore introduced Analytical skill based papers SAR 1,SAR 2,and SAR3 and a paper on General Knowledge for all students to bring them on a par with the privileged students.

Conclusion

As one of the key goals of education is to foster personal growth within students, educational structures and culture must continually be renewed through innovation and creating a culture of inclusion at all levels. At Meenakshi College, Education is not just about preparing for a career but also about fostering self-determination, and lifelong learning in keeping with the vision of the institution . which is , to impart quality education for all students especially for the under privileged in a conscious manner.