Getting the first five students, with whom Gargi Manju started the Tender Heart Senior Secondary School in 1989, had been a challenge. But the tale today has taken quite a twist.

At present, the challenge is to figure out a way to cope with the increasing number of students seeking admission to the school, whose reputation has not just grown steadily over the years, but shows a promise of rising further.

Like most good things, the school has never needed to go out of its way to promote itself. Word of mouth campaign kept bringing more and more children, giving a shape to the vision Manju had been carrying with her since childhood, even as she went about picking up valuable experience teaching in schools across the country before she finally settled in Ranchi.

True to name

The school has remained true to its name: Tender Heart. It imparts free education to 120 students, who cannot afford to pay. The institution, in its attempt to boost all-round education in society, set up a ?Tender Heart Nishulk Vidyalaya? for slum children, who live in the adjoining areas. In this programme, free education coupled with reading material, is provided to those who cannot afford such luxuries. The programme was inaugurated by the then first lady of Jharkhand, Kamal Marwha.

Infra-talk

Spread across three acre, the school stands tall and is slowly spreading its wings thanks to a dedicated team of academic and administrative staff. Students are divided into four houses: Topaz, Sapphire, Emerald and Coral and there are 10 buses.

Teachers' tests

In most schools entrance tests are a serious business for students. Here teachers, too, are taken in with equal care. Only teachers with B.Ed degrees are appointed and that too after written tests. And tests just don?t just end there. Most are made to take one class, before the administration decides whether they can handle the students.

While students are not provided any admission forms, they are given a registration form that costs Rs 50. They, too, appear for written tests and are accordingly admitted.

Symbiosis

To build an atmosphere conducive to learning, the school understands that teachers and parents must work together. Keeping this in mind, the school also organises parent-teacher meetings five to six times in a year, so that each group can interact and get to know more about the children.During this interaction the students? attitude and aptitude are also discussed.

Besides, every Thursday, parents are allowed to meet the teachers and encouraged to ask about their children?s performance in class.

Tender Heart does not only induct in students from all milieus, but the focus is on training and teaching all of them to achieve excellence in various fields.

Former students of the school are Jharkhand toppers. In fact, the school boasts of a district topper as well. And it?s not just in academics, the school puts a lot of emphasis on extra-curricular activities too. Priti Kumari of Class VII is ?Yoga Samragini? in Jharkhand and ?champion of champions? at state level.

Programmed

Learning is not closed within the four walls of the class. It is also about the future, of an understanding of the world around one and therefore unique programmes like Bal Sansad and Kyun Na Hum Doctor Banein are organised.

It was well participated by many public figures, such as the leader of the Opposition, chief election officer, speaker of Jharkhand legislative Assembly, eminent editors, doctors, judges and advocates. They briefed the students about the activities and responsibilities involved in each field. In the second programme 35 eminent doctors gave the students an idea of what this noble profession entailed.

Looking-glass

The administration is planning to start a high school (Class XI-XII) by 2007. They are also looking forward to developing a system, which will enable a guardian to receive updated information regarding class tests, exams, notices, attendance, marks, number of class tests and other details, through a website. Keeping a tab on the pupil will soon be a phone-call away.

Bookworms

The school library has a whopping collection of 7,000 books on different subjects. Besides, it also has physics, chemistry, biology, mathematics and computer laboratories to cater to the students. At present the school has 20 computers and plans to purchase 45 more.

The co-curricular activities include music, dance, dramatics, yoga, karate, public-speaking and different sports.

Fact sheet

Name: Tender Heart Senior Secondary School, Ranchi

ADDRESS: Behind Adwait Mandir, Tupudana, Hatia, Ranchi.

PRINCIPAL: Gargi Manju

CLASSES: From V to X

NUMBER OF STUDENTS: 1,000

NUMBER OF TEACHERS: 40

CERTIFICATION: Certified by ISO 9001-2000

FEES STRUCTURE:

Class V to VIII ? Rs 400,

Classes IX and X ? Rs 450

ESTABLISHED IN: 1989