THE KERALA SASTRA SAHITHYA PARISHAD 67 The parishad has undertaken two other publication schemes. One is an ambitious project by the newly-established Parishad Research and Reference Library at Quilon to start an annual chionicle of all major scientific, political, social and other events. World 1978 will inaugurate this yearbook series. The second is BaJakauthukam a children's encyclopaedia containing more than 1,500 topics in the form of questions and answers. There will be three volumes of around 350 pages each. EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMMES Ever since its inception, the Sasthra Sahitya Parishad has played a vital role in improving the standard of formal education provided in schools and colleges. In order to establish a healthy relationship with the educational institutions, the parishad has set up a school liaison committee. Besides, the following educational programmes have been taken up by the Parishad: Science clubs: The parishad has taken the initiative in the formation of school science clubs in cooperation with the education department of the state government. In 1975-76 science clubs were started in more than 2,000 schools. The pari&had supplied a number of projects for the icgular functioning of these clubs. Sa^thr'gathj science forums: Sasthragathy science forums are organized in the colleges in such a way as to utilise latent creative talents for several projects. Some of the science forums have conducted surveys in cooperation with the State Planning Board. Sasthragathy vigyan puieek^ha: These are tesis for college students. Questions covering all branches of knowledge are prepared by the parishad and sent to the students sufficiently in advance. They can take a full month in answering them. It is a kind of open test so designed that the students are free to refer to books or consult professors before sending in their answers. Sasthrakeralam qiii^ competitions: High school pupils take part in Sastrakeralam quiz competitions which have already w^n wide acdaim all over Kerala. In co-operation with the state education department this programme is conducted at three levels, namely, the school, the educational district and the state. The winners of the state level competition receive the Sastrakeralam rolling trophy. Eureka science talent test: This test is conducted for primary school pupils. Each year more than 100,000 youngsters take part in it. Like the quiz competitions, it is conducted at different levels. Parishad scholarships: Starting with the current year the parishad has decided to institute special scholarships for students who are keenly interested in science subjects. Scholarships will be given to the eligible primary and high school pupils for three years. The selection will be made on the basis of the Sasthrakeralam quiz, the Eureka test and other