New Delhi, Oct. 14 -- I was visiting Ankleshwar, Gujarat, after almost three decades. This industrial city had been transformed (though the streets were still strewn with waste), but the people were just the same-friendly and welcoming. What surprised me, pleasantly though, was what I witnessed at Sanskardeep Vidyalaya, run by the Sanskardeep Trust.
The school was founded in 1991 with the aim of fostering quality education in the Gujarati language, the mother tongue of the majority of people working in the industries of Ankleshwar and neighbouring villages. Right from the beginning, the focus has been on both academic and non-academic areas. Children's oratory skills and confidence-building are developed through a systematic process. Every student in each class gets an opportunity to speak for three minutes in every period, every day, in a language of their choice, on a subject of their choice, either in English, Hindi or Gujarati. Though the medium of instruction is Gujarati, special efforts are made to improve proficiency in English. All the classrooms, from pre-primary to Class 10, have been equipped with smart boards to make education more interesting and interactive. Students learn to operate the smart boards under the guidance of teachers. A new initiative has been introduced this year to encourage learning through debates and discussions rather than memorisation or rote learning.
Non-academic facilities are provided on the school campus for the overall development of students. A four-year syllabus has been designed by the school management for students from Classes 6 to 9, covering various vocational subjects. Each week, one period of 50 minutes is dedicated to vocational education, during which students are taught various basic life skills, such as plumbing, electrical work, repairing simple household appliances, gardening, cooking, basic agriculture, simple stitching and repairing clothes, among others. Both boys and girls learn all these skills.
A state-of-the-art laboratory has been developed to provide knowledge in the fields of robotics and AI, as these are essential for the future. A Science Park, equipped with various science models, has been established in an open space. Instead of merely learning from textbooks in classrooms, students understand basic concepts practically with the help of interactive models. These principles are explained by the students themselves to students visiting from other schools. They receive intensive training under the supervision of the subject teacher. This park is open to students from other schools for educational trips, along with the STEM Laboratory and the Astronomy Education Centre.
A well-equipped STEM Laboratory has been developed for students. One period is allocated each week to conduct science experiments and develop projects based on scientific principles. Students make many models and participate in science fairs organised by the government. The school also has a small planetarium that can seat 25 students at a time, with a dedicated teacher to explain fascinating facts about space and the universe. One period of 50 minutes is allocated every week.
A counselling centre has been established for students and parents who wish to avail themselves of its services to identify and resolve various issues. It is run by a qualified professional. The services provided include speech therapy, support for ADHD-related issues, hyperactivity and other special needs.
An open gymnasium has been constructed for the physical development of students alongside their education. Apart from this, there is a volleyball court, a basketball court and an open playground available for students to practise and improve their physical performance.
An open stage has been constructed to host cultural programmes and nurture the talents and skills of students. Every class participates in activities in the form of dances and one-act plays.
The Janani Chintan Sabha (Mothers' Reflection Forum) has been running successfully for the past 20 years. On the last working day of every month, mothers gather and listen to an eminent motivational speaker on various topics related to child development and parenting guidelines. The topics cover children's food habits, health issues, education, upbringing and moral values. Nearly 250 to 300 mothers attend every month.
The Vatsalya Garbha Sanskar and Samvardhan Kendra provides assistance and guidance during pregnancy and in nurturing infants up to the age of three years. Garbha Sanskar trains mothers-to-be in meditation, simple yoga exercises and breathing techniques. They are given guidance on good nutrition, positive thoughts and conversations with the child in their womb by professional doctors and other experts. They are encouraged to read good books and remain cheerful and happy. The child's father and grandparents are also invited to a few sessions to form a loving bond with the child. Under the Baal Samvardhan programme, mothers are guided in bringing up their children up to the age of three years. The importance of breastfeeding and techniques of breastfeeding are explained, bathing and oil massage techniques for children are taught, and information about vaccination schedules is provided. Cases of postpartum depression are also addressed with help from professionals. Diet and home remedies for simple illnesses are also discussed. The importance of supportive fathers is also emphasised.
It was heartening to find such a comprehensive school in a remote part of the country. It presents a wonderful example of the Nexus of Good that can be replicated.
Views expressed are personal. The writer is an author and a former civil servant
Published by HT Digital Content Services with permission from Millennium Post.