Prakriya is a school which believes
in creative ways to help each child learn and shine in her own way
and also ensure rigorous building of skills and knowledge. Prakriya
teachers are fully convinced that the only way this would be possible
is to move away from factory style, standardized teaching and be
uncompromising about two parameters in education: have small classes
of only 15 children each and foster enthusiasm, excitement and close
relationships between teachers and children.
For tomorrow's world, children need
not only skills and knowledge but also healthy dispositions of
learning and relating to others. In Prakriya you may find 6 and 7
year olds pouring over encyclopedias to get pictures or ideas for
their project. The secret is simply that each child has chosen a
project on something she loves or enjoys - be it puppies, cakes or
racing cars. Learning to learn is a process that is thus encouraged effortlessly.
Prakriya teachers also feel
learning by experience is at least as important as learning from
books or teachers. So there are several field trips in the year and
children also get exposed to interesting role models and resource
people. Such exposure to new people and events, triggers children's
interest in learning new skills and also helps them make their own
discoveries and connections.
So after a fortnight - long focus
on academics and tests Prakriya felt it was time for explorations and
fun! Hence "Apoorva Vidya Utsav" is being organised to give
children an opportunity to take part in some new activities and enjoy themselves.
The Utsav is 5 day long mosaic of
events which will include a Chess Workshop by Zulfikar, a state level
champion who loves to coach children and a Maths mela by Aruna
Gopakumar for the analytically inclined. An unusual workshop on
Critical thinking is being conducted by Alka Mirji and Prasanna
Hulikavi, an expert in the line from Pune will offer a Creative
Dramatics Workshop. Story telling by Vishaka and clay modelling by
Soumitro Sarkar are the other highlights of the Utsav. Parents and
others interested including children newly admitted for the next year
may also participate.
Finally Prakriya believes that
children need happy community events in the school. What better
community event can there be than cooking and eating together? One
whole morning during Apoorva Vidya Utsav is devoted to "Deevani
Handi" - cooking in one huge community pot and eating an unusual
meal with ingredients contributed by everybody.
