A group of law college students and recent graduates is conducting classes for students of Classes XI and XII who aspire to study law.
Four former students of Mahadevi Birla World Academy are taking online classes to help them crack the Common Law Admission Test (CLAT).
The school had decided to approach former students and “build a bridge” between them and the present students.
“Many of our students are in law schools across the country and we wanted to establish a connection between them and our present students. The online classes twice a week are open not only to those who have taken up legal studies, but also students from other streams who want to study law,” said Anjana Saha, the principal of Mahadevi Birla World Academy.
Students can attend classes for free, Saha said.
“Competitive exams are different from any school exams. Getting help from people who have gone through the process is reassuring,” said Sai Snigdha, a second-year student of the National University of Juridical Sciences.
“We talk about the mistakes we had made and guide them how to avoid making the mistakes,” she said.
For Class XI student Adrija Jana, the classes also mean a “balance between preparation for school exam and CLAT.”
“They are only a few years’ senior and we relate to them as they had faced the same challenges that we are facing,” said Adrija.
Prachi Chowdhary, a student of National Law Institute University, Bhopal, said one needed to keep gathering knowledge to crack CLAT.
“They have to read a newspaper thoroughly and a sense of distinction comes when one keeps reading from various sources. Regular guidance is needed because there is a possibility that one gets distracted and tends to focus on things not needed for the exam,” Prachi said.
Prachi was seconded by legal studies teacher Fatma Jabeen, a former NUJS student.
“Students are in a lot of dilemma and we have found a way to guide them outside of their school exams. For CLAT one has to read constantly because the exam tests their reading speed. One needs to comprehend and answer,” said Jabeen.
For the former students it was an opportunity to give back to their alma mater.
The group includes a student who takes classes from Mumbai.
Nehal Binani, 24, works in a law firm in Mumbai. When approached by the school, she agreed despite having a “12 to 14-hour work schedule.”
“I keep the weekends for myself and I want to play my part in the community,” she said.