Reg: Kolawade - 27 January 2007

[Rishikesh]

Dear All,

 We had an excellent visit to Kolwade. Amit has noted our experience in mail below. We also found that childeren were planting and doing gardening of school. They were also applying diluted waste of cow on floor of classtooms. It is a common practice for keeping floors dust and insect free in kuchchha houses. It was yet another example of co-operative learning and living.

 

 We also noted one thing. When asked "Why peacock is our national bird?" . One of the answer was that 'dev' (god) has created them beautiful, so they are. Here we also saw one calender consisting of pictures of god and godess. The thing here to note that secular credential of our education system are under question even at this stage. Though these observations look no offensive but in long run may get worse forms.

 

 We also noted one thing. When we asked them 'how can we improve upon english'. There similar(same) answer from all students. Something like we should cram all words taught. Should go and repeat what teachers taught. This is our educations system. Though answer these answer look common but here our thinking process should start, as why is this case at all? Somebody commented on education system as "It is a hospitals where sick are thrown out" .

 

Regards,

Rishikesh

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Amitraj R. Deshmukh

Date: Jan 31, 2007 11:40 AM
Subject: Reg: Kolawade - 27 January 2007

 

Hello all,

 

First of all I am extremely sorry for being late to send this email.

 

This is to update all with the Kolawade Happenings.

 

Activity Date:

    27 January, 2007

 

Team:

    Hrushikeah

    Amitraj

 

Details:

 

1. The session started at 10:50 AM with the students of 7th and 8th class. There were 14 students.

 

2.  The Team had a common plan to execute. One of the primary aims was to establish a relationship with the students. Hence language of communication Marathi.

 

3. Students introduced themselves and a discussion about Republic Day was initiated. As per the observation students came from all levels of knowledge. 1 or 2 of them were not aware of the significance of Event and some were able to describe what it is. 4 of the students had participated as speakers in the Republic Day Celebration. Speeches were on various National Icons. Hinge sir had given them the speeches in English.

 

Two of the students also sung a poem written by Kusumagraj.

 

4. After 30-35 minutes student were comfortable with the team. This made the team to start talking about

    -> 'Why Marathi and Hindi seem easy to talk as compared to English'

    -> 'How do we understand Marathi even before we go to school'

    -> 'What if we would have heard English from the childhood and not Marathi'

 

Main purpose was to make them think of how we find a language easy to use. Students were able to conclude that it is all about using the language frequently.

 

5. After this, team asked the students to draw pictures of anything they see in daily life such as Fruits, Animals, Trees etc. and also write the names in Marathi and English (if they know). They were allowed to discuss and get the name.

    -> Total of 15 pictures were drawn.

    -> There was only a single repetition.

    -> Out of all these, students learnt around 9 new words.

    -> As an additional input, it was seen that majority of the students are extremely good at drawing.

 

It was observed that

    -> One or two students were not well acquainted with the English Letters.

    -> Almost all the students were active enough.

 

6. As a whole these two activities were carried out. Next, they have been given with an assignment of preparing a chart of Containing                 -> PICTURE

    -> Corresponding Marathi Name

    -> English Name

 

Students are now aware - why they need to do this.

 

However, they have their exams from 5th Frb. Onwards, hence they have been told to complete this after exams.

 

7.  Session was finished at around 12:30 PM. Students have been informed about next session (Feb. 3, 2006, 11:00 AM).

 

Notes:

    -> Team had a good Friendly talk with students, inclusive of jokes, making fun etc.

    -> No teachers were present during the session, which was good.

    -> Students did not get tiresome.

    -> Difficulty level can be increased by 1 step.

    -> Students were asked whether it is a repetition of what they already know, and should we modify the path. However, they are fine with this.

    -> A point was always made that students were made aware of reasons behind performing these activities.

 

Conclusion:

This visit resulted in

    -> a good (friendly) bond between the TEAM and the students.

    -> acknowledgment of one good way to communicate with the students.   

 

Apart from these there are certain other points to be discussed which directly or indirectly relate with this activity.

 

Hrushikesh, please add to this if you find some thing left away.

 

Warm regards.

 

--
Co-opearation and not competition, is key to success for entities having 2 or more units.