|
Latvia
|
Education A Revolution for EducationFree School Education ProgramVed Vignan Maha Vidhya Peeth(VVMVP)was the first rural school started by Sri Sri Ravi Shankarin 1981. It started when Sri Sri observed some local children playing in the dust near The Art of Living Centre. When he saw that they had no access to education he decided to do something to help them. A local volunteer was appointed to look after the children to give them basic lessons in hygiene, teach them educational games and to serve them free healthy food for lunch. This became a big attraction for the children and their parents, and continues to date. As the school has progressed, a formal educational structure has been established and the number of students and teachers has increased. Today this school has become a model for 184 similar free schools that are revolutionising education in rural and tribal India. First Generation StudentsAlmost 95% of the students are first generation and the school is proud to have a 100% success rate in local exams. “At this young age my daughter would have been working in the farms. We never dreamt of her getting an education! I am so happy to see her going to school!” - Mrs Savitri, a parent Stress-free SchoolThe students are provided with uniforms, shoes, books, writing materials, bus service and mid-day meals to neutralize any factors that can prevent them from attending school. Yoga, meditation, sports and creative activities like dance, music, drawing and painting form an essential part of the school curriculum to ensure a healthy body and mind. The Art of Living course for children, ART Excel , is organised regularly for students to help them to handle any negative influences at home. Outdoor medical facilities and a mobile dispensary are also made available. In order to make students more aware of the political system and inculcate leadership skills in them, the school has its own cabinet. The school children themselves elect the school cabinet. Through this system, children learn the importance of the Indian democratic system of governance in a practical way. The school cabinet takes responsibility for the junior classes and helps with the running of the school. Developing CommunitiesEmphasising girl’s education and women empowerment, senior students are also taught vocational skills like tailoring, computer training and carpentry and encouraged to pursue secondary education. To maintain the bond between former students and the school, alumni meetings have recently started. Alumni share their experiences with other students and encouraging them to pursue secondary education and their goals. The alumni group holds regular meetings with parents and children to raise awareness about the importance of education. Our VisionOur schools provide free, value-based education in a stress-free, student friendly environment that:
Free SchoolsThe Art of Living’s free schools are located in various rural, tribal and slum areas across India. Each school has its own set of challenges based on the geographical and cultural set-up of the land and its people. Some areas are extremely remote, surrounded by forests and no roads or electricity. In some of the places, the children are more familiar with guns than soap! The need to impress upon them that education and schooling is the means towards a better future is imperative. In rural areas which are more accessible, parents prefer to send their children as domestic helpers or to the farms to earn a few rupees, rather than give them with an education. This is especially true for young girls.. It is common practice in villages that when a girl turns 14 she gets married, and by age 20 has children. She has no education behind her, no money, no self-confidence and no self-esteem. Slums have their own set of challenges. Located in the hearts of cities, the disparity between the middle-class urban population and slum dwellers makes a constant impression on young minds. Lack of availability of free education forces them to look for other means to earn a quick buck. Drugs, violence, alcohol and tobacco are easier to come by than books. This shows how desperately education is needed in these areas, to ensure the future of these children and of the wider community. The Art of Living volunteers, inspired by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar have laid the foundation and created the infrastructure to facilitate this vision of free education to children in these areas. Starting from awareness campaigns to providing free transportation, uniforms, mid-day meals, books and accessories, to building free schools in the remotest of areas. A revolution has begun - a revolution in school education! Education - Newsletter
|
VideoRekomendācijas
Induja, Student, SSVM School
I am studying in 4th standard. My father’s name is Muthukumar and mother’s name is Manimeghalai. My father has a tea stall and my mother is a house wife. My favorite subject is mathematics. I am the class first rank holder. I like this school very much and teachers are also teaching well. In future I want to become a computer engineer.
Rohan Bhansali, Volunteer and Investment Banker, J.P.Morgan Chase
Respectful and playful, disciplined yet naughty. The students of SSRVM Dharavi have it all. Their potential should reap wonders.Being with them is fun! I sometimes wonder if I give to the children even half of what they give me.
Saroj Srivastav, Sub Divisional Magistrate
I am overwhelmed after seeing the school. The all round growth of the children is very satisfying.
Dilraj Bedi, In-charge, IAHV Child Care Center
Setting up the project in Srinagar was a great inspiring, learning experience. I discovered the inner strength of commitment against all adversaries, In spite of facing skepticism and breakdowns at various levels; I realized that if work becomes a passion then nothing can stop you from achieving your dreams.
Seema Raksit, Teacher at Banskopa School
I have been teaching in the school since the last 3 years and the satisfaction I accrue after teaching is incomparable. Children are naughty, and teaching them makes me forget everything in the world.
A teacher, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar Vidya Mandir,Dharavi
Rahul's mother tells us that his father is an alcoholic. She is the breadwinner and works from 8am to 10:30pm. It's no wonder that Rahul used to come to school with unkempt clothes and had an attention deficit disorder. We nurtured him all the same. In fact, when it came to exam time, a volunteer sat with him through the test time and prodded him to reveal the answers we knew he knew. He performed brilliantly and Encouraged. Rahul now takes far more responsibility for himself than ever before. He takes pride in coming to school. His mother says he wakes up on his own and is ready for school at 5am! When she visits school her eyes well up with tears of gratitude.
Ravi Kumar, a parent who accompanied the children from the Purkhoo refugee camp
With having to live in 10 X 12 feet rooms with no source of income, we don’t have the means to educate our children. We feel bad that their future is permanently frozen in the refugee camps, but we are helpless.Sri Sri has come to our help by taking the responsibility of 87 children. We hope more children will be brought here in future.
Vasanthy Ravichandran, Teacher, SSVM School
I have been the principal of this school since 2007. Sri Sri Vidya Mandir (SSVM) was started on 26th July 2007. The school started with 177 students and increased to 198 students within the first year. At the beginning the classes were up to 6th standard only but now it has grown to standard 8.In 2007 there were only 11 teachers and now we have 17 teachers. The parents of the students studying here are illiterate and financially poor. This year we have given students free books, as well as provided them with free afternoon meals.We are giving more importance to discipline than studies; we teach them how to keep their environment clean. We tell them that we must throw all the garbage in the dustbins. We also conduct yoga and meditation classes twice a week. I want to develop the school in such a way that it will be able to give a life equivalent to the life of students in cities.
Vasanthy Ravichandran
Teacher, SSVM School Nagapattinam We are giving more importance to discipline than studies; we teach them how to keep their environment clean. We tell them that we must throw all the garbage in the dustbins. We also conduct yoga and meditation classes twice a week. I want to develop the school in such a way that it will be able to give a life equivalent to the life of students in cities.
Ponamuli, student of class 3, Kamalpur School
I want to be a scientist and go to moon on a rocket. I like to ride a cycle and play Ranna vatti (a local game). The best time is when I ride a cycle and the time I spend in school.
Babita Patar, Student at Hindol Jhodi Middle School
I have also learnt how to stitch at school and now am able to earn something for my family by stitching uniforms. Only during the examination days I don't stitch.
Reena, a mother of two students in Budbud School
My children have become socially graceful and talk to people in an elegant manner. I feel fulfilled. My children are learning.
Pooja Saroka, Kamalpur School
Saroka wants to fly a plane. The child has lost her father. She is in class 1 and is 5 years old.
Madhu Iyer, PhD, Silicon Valley Professional
By supporting schools in tribal areas I can prevent exploitation of these indigenous people. This will not only strengthen the tribals but will also strengthen India.
Adit Shankar
9 year old boy gifted his own Christmas gift of Rs 500/- to his friends at Ved Vignan Maha Vidya Peeth School. He is now inspiring his friends to 'help a friend' through Gift a Smile.
Priya, Teacher, SSVM School
I have been teaching here for the past one and a half years. I teach mathematics from standard 5 to standard 8. When the students came here to study, they didn’t even know the basics of addition or subtraction. They were not well disciplined or well mannered, but now we have inculcated a lot of changes. We have taught them good manners and good habits like wearing clean, ironed clothes. Now there is a visible difference between the old students and the new comers. We have also taught them many good habits like keeping their shoes in order outside their classrooms, forming a line before going anywhere, wishing their elders and teachers, excusing themselves before going to drink water going to the toilet. I think this is the difference between our school and the other schools in this locality.
Panner Selvam, Parent, SSVM School
SSVM was an eye opener for me. First year, there were only four students from Poombukar. After sending them to that school I found a profound change in the behavior of my children. Even I learnt discipline from them and I am very happy to see that. Disciplines like brushing and taking bath everyday were insisted in the school by the teachers.Seeing all these changes in my children, others also started to send their children to SSVM now there are 120 students studying from Poombukar this year. My children were given scholarship of Rs.2000 the previous year. It is very helpful to us. I did the basic course in Poombukar and I also did the advance course in Thanjavur.
Mahadev, School Bus Driver
I had a wish that my child should have a good education and wanted him to be a successful person in life.But with the salary of a Bus Driver, it seemed almost impossible to fulfill this wish of mine. Thanks to the Ved Vignan Maha Vidya Peeth free school, now I see this dream of mine coming true.
Triveni, student, who passed out from school in 2003
I studied in the school without paying any fees. I was also given scholarship for 2 years to pursue higher education. Teachers not only supported me academically, but personally as well .The school, without expecting anything in return, has given me a lot.
Amudha, Teacher, SSVM School
When the school started we had less than 200 students. The following year the number increased to 300 and this year it’s 500. The school is growing and improving at a tremendous pace. Many students are coming from as far as Poombuhar because of the quality of education offered. All of us teachers live together as a family.
Ashwini, 18 year old, alumnus, who is pursuing secondary education
I want other children in our school to study even better than us. I have seen tremendous growth in the school since the day I joined it. I want to see my school improve even more. We will do our best to help and encourage our juniors to pursue higher education
Usha Gangadhar, Teacher, Ved Vignan Maha Vidya Peeth
Our school provides a rare combination of holistic education that includes modern day academic education and also knowledge of the Vedas.In addition to providing free education to these children whose parents cannot afford to educate them, our school provides free transport to all the students who come from over 45 villages and also mid-day meals. As teachers, we make an extra effort so that all students can achieve the best results.
Elakya, Teacher,SSVM School
It has been just four days since I joined this school. I never knew about SSVM before but I used to see school buses going. I thought that if education is free then the parents who can relatively afford a paid school would not send their children here, but still they prefer sending their children to SSVM. When I asked people why, they said that it is because the education is very good here. When I came to this school I liked it immediately. I see a lot of difference between students from this school and from other schools. At our school students are disciplined and well mannered compared to other schools. The teachers here are also very cooperative.
Ponamuli
Student of class 3, Kamalpur School, West Bengal I want to be a scientist and go to moon on a rocket. I like to ride a cycle and play Ranna vatti (a local game). The best time is when I ride a cycle and the time I spend in school.
Reena
A mother of two students in Budbud School, West Bengal My children have become socially graceful and talk to people in an elegant manner. I feel fulfilled. My children are learning.
Panner Selvam
Parent, SSVM School Nagapattinam Seeing all these changes in my children, others also started to send their children to SSVM now there are 120 students studying from Poombukar this year. My children were given scholarship of Rs. 2000 the previous year. It is very helpful to us. I did the basic course in Poombukar and I also did the advance course in Thanjavur.
Rohan Bhansali
Volunteer and Investment Banker, J. P. Morgan Chase Respectful and playful, disciplined yet naughty. The students of SSRVM Dharavi have it all. Their potential should reap wonders. Being with them is fun! I sometimes wonder if I give to the children even half of what they give me.
Priya
Teacher, SSVM School Nagapattinam Now there is a visible difference between the old students and the new comers. We have also taught them many good habits like keeping their shoes in order outside their classrooms, forming a line before going anywhere, wishing their elders and teachers, excusing themselves before going to drink water going to the toilet. I think this is the difference between our school and the other schools in this locality.
Saroj Srivastav
Sub Divisional Magistrate, Ghatshila, India I am overwhelmed after seeing the school. The all round growth of the children is very satisfying.
Seema Raksit
Volunteer and Investment Banker, J. P. Morgan Chase I have been teaching in the school since the last 3 years and the satisfaction I accrue after teaching is incomparable. Children are naughty, and teaching them makes me forget everything in the world. I have been the principal of this school since 2007. Sri Sri Vidya Mandir (SSVM) was started on 26th July 2007. The school started with 177 students and increased to 198 students within the first year. At the beginning the classes were up to 6th standard only but now it has grown to standard 8. In 2007 there were only 11 teachers and now we have 17 teachers. The parents of the students studying here are illiterate and financially poor. This year we have given students free books, as well as provided them with free afternoon meals.
Madhu Iyer
PhD, Silicon Valley Professional By supporting schools in tribal areas I can prevent exploitation of these indigenous people. This will not only strengthen the tribals but will also strengthen India. SSVM was an eye opener for me. First year, there were only four students from Poombukar. After sending them to that school I found a profound change in the behavior of my children. Even I learnt discipline from them and I am very happy to see that. Disciplines like brushing and taking bath everyday were insisted in the school by the teachers.
Triveni
Another student, who passed out from school in 2003 I studied in the school without paying any fees. I was also given scholarship for 2 years to pursue higher education. Teachers not only supported me academically, but personally as well . The school, without expecting anything in return, has given me a lot. It has been just four days since I joined this school. I never knew about SSVM before but I used to see school buses going. I thought that if education is free then the parents who can relatively afford a paid school would not send their children here, but still they prefer sending their children to SSVM.
Ramanan
Economist, RFF, Washington D. C. The Care for Children program is the most holistic program that I know of. It not only provides education to children in a particular area but uplifts the entire community - WOW.
Ramanan, Economist, RFF
The Care for Children program is the most holistic program that I know of. It not only provides education to children in a particular area but uplifts the entire community - WOW
Ashwini
18 year old, alumnus, who is pursuing secondary education I want other children in our school to study even better than us. I have seen tremendous growth in the school since the day I joined it. I want to see my school improve even more. We will do our best to help and encourage our juniors to pursue higher education
Elakya
Teacher, SSVM School Nagapattinam When I asked people why, they said that it is because the education is very good here. When I came to this school I liked it immediately. I see a lot of difference between students from this school and from other schools. At our school students are disciplined and well mannered compared to other schools. The teachers here are also very cooperative.
Mahadev
School Bus Driver I had a wish that my child should have a good education and wanted him to be a successful person in life. But with the salary of a Bus Driver, it seemed almost impossible to fulfill this wish of mine. Thanks to the Ved Vignan Maha Vidya Peeth free school, now I see this dream of mine coming true. Plašsaziņas līdzekļos
Focus |
|||
|
SEKOJIET MUMS!
|
