Arthur Foot Academy - A matter of sunshine on a rainy day

In the midst of heavy rains in Uttarakhand, a courageous person who drove from Dehradun to Arthur Foot Academy came along. As you enter the roads leading to the school, you're surrounded by tall trees, low trees, and other vegetation. I was happily welcomed by Ms. Minakshi Prasad and Reena, the Principal at Arthur Foot Academy. They both took me around the school to meet all the young teachers, some of whom have been with them for many years and some who have recently joined. 

Meeting all these teachers reminded me that there is a lot of joy and hope when some people choose to teach and are concerned about a child's learning. Ms. Minakshi, Ms. Reena, and I believe that all the teachers at the Academy are eager to learn and improve. They were sharing their classroom challenges with a lot of openness. Math teacher Mr. Sushil was discussing the benefits of learning by playing, and if there is even one person in the school who believes there is a way to learn like that, half our work is done. 

We discussed how, in the coming weeks, we can come together on Zoom to read and uplift ourselves as teachers, bringing the same joy to our classrooms for children. Interestingly, children with even a few chairs in a school were so hungry for learning. They had some beautiful posters up on the wall. 

Arthur Foot Academy has a significant opportunity ahead, and the time is ripe to empower teachers through collaborative learning, reading, discussion, reflection, and sharing. There is so much power in a classroom, between the space of a student and a teacher, for both. 

- Neelashi Mangal, Program and Training Lead with the Learning Forward India Foundation, you may email her at NM@LearningForward.org.in

Venus Upadhaya, a journalist, a trainer and an educator

Venus Upadhayaya The Epoch Times

Venus Upadhaya, a journalist, a trainer and an educator, I am so very thankful for your time and valuable insights and guidance you provided in your two days stay at the Fabindia School, Bali, Rajasthan.

The plans we had made for doing a workshop on journalism or a session with teachers took a back seat when you unfolded the hidden fears or concerns of the children.

I can not thank you enough for giving students an ear and an eye of empathy which probably none of us could sense or feel for them. You have given me a way forward to help them deal with the mounting pressures of their parents and the community to perform…be successful in rendering to their expectations.

The interaction with the Editorial Board was an eye-opener and made me realise that the kids have arrived; they are super enthusiastic to give their own wings to the success and glory of the school. Your touch just made them flourish and they are geared to give new dimensions to the publications of the school.

Hearing your perspective helped me understand the missing relations with motivation and zeal in the younger workforce of the school. Your efforts saved our time and helped us learn more about the needs of the educationalists.

Anyone who got an opportunity to spend time with you longs to meet you soon and wishes to have continued relationship with your love and compassion.

 “Thank you for taking out time for us, and we look forward to your next visit.”

Rajeshree Shihag - the Principal, The Fabindia School, believes creativity is much more than just a skill. You can contact her by email at principal@fabindiaschools.in

JG International, Ahmedabad

The National Director Sandeep Dutt was the Chief Guest for the Annual Day.

JG International School, Ahmedabad is a seven year old, day boarding school affiliated to CISCE and CIE, Cambridge.  The school is a new entrant to IAYP but the manner in which students work in various fields is akin to preparing for all the categories of the award scheme.
 
The school has a good balance of academics and co-curricular activities.  Therefore, physical recreation, skill development and social service activities go on hand in hand.  One of the strongest aspects of training in school is in the area of social service.  One unique feature any visitor to school would notice is the enthusiasm with which students clear their tables after each meal.  In turns, students put away crockery and cutlery, leftover food and wipe the table clean.  In the afternoon session it is a common sight to see students engage in a buddy reading programme.  This is an effort to increase the standard of reading across the school.  One group of students did a class project wherein they visited the blind school to find out how the visually challenged, learn.  They found out that the teachers there had difficulty explaining certain concepts.  So after they came back to school they brainstormed and came up with an idea to help these students.  With some advice and suggestions from their teachers they created three dimensional models to teach complicated concepts like atomic structure and the periodic table.  They presented these aids to the Blind school.  The Blind school teachers are now putting them to good use.  This project won the Design for Change contest – a global movement to sensitize children to bring about a change in society. Children of this school have also adopted a municipal school as part of their contribution so the activities of Yuva unstoppable and are rated as the most sensitive and helpful schools in Ahmedabad.
 
Besides service students pursue games regularly and also have atleast two hours of skill training per week.  The school offer a wide variety of skills from which students can choose.
 
The first batch of Bronze Awardees are working towards receiving their medals.