Draft Report Fermacs

A Panoramic Study on the Educational Expectations of Thrissur District, Kerala

For ThrissurInstitution - 2009 Business Plan forFERMACS, Setting up Educational DRAFT REPORT

TEAM MEMBERS

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CONTENTS

Title

Page No

Introduction

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Objective of the Study

………………………..………………………..

4

Scope of the Study

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4

Expected Limitations

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4

Project Proposal

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5

Market / Feasibility Study ………………………..……………………….

5

Development of Detailed Project Report ………………………..………..

6

Format of Final Business Plan

………………………..………………

7

Development of Strategies, Policies and Financial Plans …………………

7

Detailed Action Plan for Stage I ………………………..………………….

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Conclusion ………………………………..……………………………….

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Appendices ………………………………..………………………………

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A. Schools - Consolidated View ………..………………………………….

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B. Schools Under Different Management ………..……………………….

12

C. Schools Area Wise ………..……………………………………………

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D. Students – Management Wise ………..…………………………………

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E. Students Section Wise ………..……...………..………………………...

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Introduction Thrissur or Thrissivaperoor is the ‘Cultural Capital of Kerala'. Thrissur is on the race to grab the spot of becoming the educational capital of Kerala. With the existence of three medical colleges, proposed medical university, about a dozen engineering colleges,

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Ayurveda college, Veterinary college, Business schools, well known arts and science colleges, good residential schools makes Thrissur a scholar’s city. Thrissur is also the centre of coaching classes for the aspiring doctors and engineers of the future. Apart from these, Thrissur has traditionally been a centre of learning and accommodates more than hundred private colleges, tuition centres and study centres to cater lakhs of students every year. These characteristics give Thrissur a definite edge and a distinct aura of being an educational centre of Kerala. In the prevailing context of aggressively proceeding towards excellent quality system by industries for high quality products / services, there is acute scarcity of right quality personnel. Our education system does not give the students the opportunity to develop new ideas or to think creatively. They try to implement what they study in text books. This will not develop their talent or skill. But if we consider the international education system, students are given practical oriented classes in which students get the opportunity to implement what they study and also to bring out new ideas. And these days of global economic recession, employers are looking for candidates with these skills and talents. That’s why a professional educational institute is needed, to bring out effective and trained quality knowledge management personnel through good courses and to develop in them a bright management / quality career to face the challenging and competitive world.

Objective of the Study The title of the study is named ‘A Panoramic Study on the Educational Expectations of Thrissur District, Kerala’ because the study aims to gain a landscape view of the educational expectations of the people in Kerala so that FERMACS could fix the discipline

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or area to be concentrated. The study aims to provide a milieu view of the educational sector developments in recent times in India in general and Kerala in particular. The Objective of the study is to understand the pulse of the market especially in Kerala with respect to the education sector and then fix an appropriate demanding course for FERMACS so as to generate a high caliber student community in a lot comprising of students from various part of the country and abroad.

Scope of the study The Scope of the study is not just limited to the city of Thrissur alone, but aims to include almost all the major cities in Kerala. The area of the study is pertaining to the entire student community lot and their parents. The study will focus to cover all the schools and educational institutions listed in the appendix herewith so as to ensure that the study faces fewer limitations with respect to the area covered.

Expected Limitations FERMACS is already undertaking short term job oriented technological courses which are beginning to gain popularity among masses. The study involves a detailed study from various perspectives which will involve a lot of time and might be a costly affair for the concern. However the consultants would like to point out to the authorities of FERMACS at this point of time that this venture has a lot of potentialities involved and could evolve as a reputed branded institution in the near future. Hence the consultants recommend undertaking the study in a broad perspective engaging more management games rather than opting for the traditional methods of conducting research.

Project Proposal The business proposal comprises of the planning for the assessment of the market and evaluation of the opportunities by analyzing the educational expectations of student community and their parents. The project aims to gain a broader perspective by analyzing the expectations and feasibility of various courses from three different angles which include 4

the student community, parents and competitor institutions. As part of the project, the consultants have identified the various educational institutions in detail all through out Kerala. The entire proposal is divided into three stages comprising of the following:-

Stage I, Market / Feasibility Study Objective of the Study •

Analyse the student’s expectations and aspirations with regard to various professional courses

•

Understand the potentialities involved in the market by analysing competitor strategy

•

Economic viability and job prospects arising out of various courses

Modus Operandi Data has to be collected from all the secondary sources available and also from primary sources. The modus operandi of data collection from primary sources is as follows: 1. By means of engaging the target group through games thereby hiding the real intention of the research. (Reference: IIM Calcutta’s Flagship Market Research Event – Ulhaas, which is conducted every year, live on the market place) 2. By direct interview and observation 3. By using other tools like questionnaire

Action Plan The team at this stage will constitute both the consulting panel and 20-25 executives who will be entrusted with the task of undertaking a detail survey using any of the above mentioned tools. This will include around 130 schools and other educational institutions. A detailed survey using management game would come to Rs 2,500/- per institute and if only

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questionnaire or interview method is to be used, the expense would come approximately to Rs 1,250/- per institute survey.

Expected Outcome of the Study The study will cover the educational institution listed in the appendix (only schools listed in appendix) and also other related disciplines which will be identified during the due course of the project. The analysis and interpretation of the data collected will give a clear format of the discipline to be finalized and the core area will be decided there after in order to kick start the business venture.

Stage II, Development of Detailed Project Report The objective is to identify key disciplines on the basis of the analysis and interpretation of the data collected in Stage I and to develop a detailed project report based on the area selected. Appropriate vision and mission statement will be formulated at this stage.

Action Plan This stage will be completely taken care of by the consultants along with an expert panel of faculties and senior consultants in IIMs, IITs XLRI etc. This will include an in depth project report which will cover all the major areas. The expenses at this stage would depend on the depth and contents of the business plan. A detailed business plan would approximately cost Rs 18,500/- each for each detailed chapter and in case of a less detailed plan, the cost will be something around Rs 13,000 each for each chapter.

Format of Final Business Plan The format of Final Business Plan to be submitted will include the following details: 1. Project Idea 2. Market Research Report ( MRR ) / Feasibility Study Report 3. Detailed Project Report ( DPR ) 4. Types of Courses, Duration, Fees and Number of Students targeted.

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5. Proposed Tie-ups – Foreign and Domestic. 6. Faculty Plan 7. Requirement of Common Facilities 8. Project Cost 9. Investment Plan 10. Timelines and Revenue 11. Profitability forecast 12. Payback / ROI

Stage III, Development of Strategies, Policies & Financial Plans Objective of the Study The objective of the study at this stage is to fix short term and long term strategies and to develop policies and action plan for all activities. This is the stage for policy formulation.

Action Plan This stage will be developed by the expert panel comprising of faculties in the discipline of finance, marketing and strategic management from leading B schools. The detailed financial plan for the entire project will be finanlised at this stage. The expert panel needs to be paid appropriately amounting to Rs 25,000/- for a detailed plan and Rs 16,000/- for a less detailed plan for the development of financial plans, marketing plans and strategy formulation.

Expected Outcome of the Study This will lead to the setting of objectives – both tactical and strategic and also will take care of the setting of various policies and procedures with respect to finance, marketing and strategic management.

Detailed Action Plan for Stage I – 7

Market Potential - Primary Research Modus Operandi The project aims to fix the business venture in the blue ocean strategy so as to gain market share. There will various modes and tools to be used at this stage which were discussed in detail above. A detailed market research has to be carried out in order to evaluate the opportunity and assess the market demand. A detailed market research activity will be carried on this stage with the help of 20-25 Market Research Executives along with the consultants and the expert panel comprising of faculties and senior consultants from various reputed B Schools.

The Market / Feasibility study is proposed to be conducted in four different perspectives. A. Study based on Student’s perspective B. Study based on education institution’s perspective C. Study based on parent’s perspective D. Study based on financial institution’s perspective

A. Study based on Student’s perspective 1. A detailed questionnaire will be prepared and planned to find out students perspective. 2. List of students studying for higher secondary will be collected from various institutions in Thrissur and other parts of Kerala and they will be either reached directly or indirectly through mails so as to ensure the success of the study.

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3. The details of students enrolled I other professional courses will also be collected and analysed using the same mode of operation. 4. Questionnaire will be e-mailed to Students who are currently doing various courses away from Thrissur.

B. Study based on education institution’s perspective 1. The data base of available schools, higher secondary schools and other professional colleges will be identified for this purpose and detailed study will be conducted with respect to their competitive advantages in the education sector. 2. The consultants will consider all the currently demanding courses in various disciplines including management, polytechnic, technical and related discipline and will analyse the potential demand for these courses and the economic viability of these courses from the point of view of aspiring student community as well as the financial, technical and infrastructural affordability of such courses from the point of view of FERMACS. 3. The key facilities of these institutions including their infrastructure, resources available etc will be studied in detail so as to formulate a similar frame work or a bit more advanced frame work for FERMACS.

C. Study based on parent’s perspective 1. The parents of students studying in higher secondary schools will be interviewed either directly or indirectly so as to understand their expectations about various courses and job prospects arising out of it. 2. The parents of students who are currently enrolled for various courses which are of professional nature will be thoroughly analyzed so as to understand the financial outlook which parents have before they make their children join various courses and also the extend of their economic viability for various courses.

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3. The parents will be more interested in courses which have immediate job prospects and better career advancement in the future. The disciplines or areas that they will identify will have key importance in the study to be undertaken. 4. The parents will prefer course structure which has some resemblance towards those offered in Western countries like providing the option to undertake some part time job related to their field of study which will equip the students to “earn while they learn”. This will enable the students to be a bit more financially independent whereby they can use their savings for paying their hostel fees, mess fees etc lessening the financial burden from their parent’s shoulders.

D. Study based on financial institution’s perspective 1. This aims to analyse the policies of various financial institutions like banks which provide financial support for professional courses. 2. To understand what financial institutions like banks are looking forward to promote various professional courses. 3. To analyze the strategies they follow internally in order to give maximum support to educational institutions like FERMACS.

Expected outcome of the study 1. The study will help to fix the major discipline or area which FERMACS should concentrate in order to implement the business venture. 2. The study will determine the major flaws if any in the existing courses offered by FERMACS 3. The study will formulate a platform for FERMACS with respect to the education sector so as to excel in this field.

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Conclusion The study named ‘A Panoramic Study on the Educational Expectations of Thrissur District, Kerala’ is an earnest attempt to analyse in depth the educational sector and analyse the various changes that has taken place in the attitude and mindset of students and parents in recent times with respect to their concept of education in modern times. This study has very significant importance in recent times as this will open up a new insight in the changing developments in the education sector in recent times especially in Kerala which has almost attained cent percentage in the literacy rate. The study will depict the various courses in demand; the reasons behind it. The study is definitely going to contribute novel ideas for the consultants to formulate a detailed business plan for the top management team of FERMACS.

Appendices A. SCHOOLS - CONSOLIDATED VIEW Consolidated No. of Schools TSR (E) TSR (W) Cherpu Total Govt. H.S.

10

05

05

20

Aided H.S.

18

22

17

57

Unaided H.S.

05

02

01

08

T.T.I.

01

01

-

02 11

Technical Schools

01

-

-

01

Special Schools

01

01

-

02

Unaided recognised ICSE / CBSE Schools

.

.

.

06

Unaided T.T.I.

.

.

.

04

B. SCHOOLS UNDER DIFFERENT MANAGEMENT No. of Schools under different Managements Individual Management

10

Staff Management

01

Corporate Management

44

Panchayath Management

02

Govt. Management

20

Christian Management

39

Specil Schools under Christian Management

01

Hindu Management

15

Special Schools under Hindu Management

01

C. SCHOOLS AREA WISE Schools in Corporation Area District Panchayath Area Govt. H.S.

08

12

Aided H.S.

26

31

Unaided H.S.

06

02

T.H.S.

01

-

Spl. School

02

-

T.T.I. Aided

01

-

T.T.I. Govt.

01

-

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D. STUDENTS – MANAGEMENT WISE Students-Management Wise Report DEO DEO DEO Thrissur Chavakad Irinjalakuda Govt. School 45905 49063 57411 Aided School 28309 14705 12293 Unaided 10172 5999 8776 School Total 84386 69767 78480

E. STUDENTS SECTION WISE

HS TTI Total

Students-Section Wise Report Boys Girls Total 64300 64273 128573 79 1089 1168 64379 65362 129741

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