Newsletter 2/2020
Teachers, parents and students after home schooling-project work
Summer holidays and Indian lockdown began on March 25th2020. The start of regular school operation - several times postponed by the Indian government – has been terminated for November 2nd. Since September the students are being taught at home by their parents. Two hours of educational TV every day and supervision by our teachers makes this new style possible.
A new education policy (NEP) has been determined by the Indian government. In the Indian school system, structures and contents are fundamentally changed. Theaim is to make India “a global knowledge superpower”.
One of the stated goals ... is to instill a" deeply rooted pride "in being Indian - not just in thinking but also in spirit, intellect and deeds - as well as knowledge, skills, values, abilities and dispositions that support a responsible commitment to human rights, sustainable development and life, and global wellbeing.
The new structure 5 + 3 + 3 + 4 replaces the existing division into Kinder garden, (Upper) Primary and High School. In future, exams will only take place for grades 3, 5 and 8 instead of several times a year as before.
Practical orientation is particularly important (job-related schooling, projects, experimental learning, focus on application / problem-solving, reduced curriculum, flexibility and a wider range of subjects). In the future, children should be encouraged according to their interests and inclinations; exams should cover all kinds of talents. With NEP an important reform of the theory-based and fact-oriented school system should be successful.
NEP takes the basic ideas of our school project to heart. Project teaching, experimental and student-centered learning and creativity have been in our focus for many years. Our time-table consists 50% of the ‘creative’, sport-related and other contents.Real learning can only take place when head, heart and hand are equally important. The Indian educational system is now getting closer to this ideal.
Online learning will become more important in the future. Two hours of educational programs are already being broadcasted on TV every day - the basis for home schooling by parents. If it is used correctly, it can enrich the educational landscape.
Training for the teaching staff will be increased and extended (4 year integrated B.Ed. degree) in order to replace the previous "narrow-gauge training". The education sector is to receive 6% of the gross national product (previously 1.7%), which should enable a significantly higher quality. Congratulations, India! Maybe there is still something left to finally support private model schools like ours…
The new contents are to be welcomed. Our teaching staff will certainly be able to cope well with the new requirements, as they have collected extensive relevant experience already. Our Upper Primary School (Kinder garden and grades 1 to 7) could add grade 8 and expand the kindergarten downwards in order to comply with the new structure of the NEP. These changes will certainly take a few years.
One can question the fact that the central state has taken over the entire education, which might implicate some problems. Early childhood has become state property, which I am quite ambivalent about...
Home-Schooling project work under supervision of our teachers
Thank you for your interest, concern and support!
With cordial greetings,
Helga Shanti Fründt
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Donation Accounts
FCRA account
Shanti Ananda Education Society
Andhra BankMudigubba Branch
AnantapurDistrict, Andhra Pradesh, India
Account No: 185410100007532
IFSC: ANDB0001854
General Account
Shanti Ananda Education Society
Andhra Bank, Mudigubba Branch
Anantapur District, Andhra Pradesh, India
185410100193769
IFSC: ANDB0001854