Cast(e)ing out education

Aditi Dhammachakra A recent report by Human Rights Watch has brought to light everyday instances of discrimination against Dalit, Adivasi, and Muslim children in primary schools. The report reminds us that caste and tribal status is invoked repeatedly in schools Read More …

Hungry kya?

Saurav Shome Food is an important topic taught in middle school. While on the surface it appears as if it is an easy topic to teach, the truth is that it isn’t. The idea of food is very complex and Read More …

Keeping the questions alive

Nimesh Ved A recent trip to Rishi Valley School (Andhra Pradesh) presented an opportunity to interact with students in different classes on divergent topics. During the trip I enjoyed being with the students and partially succeeded in soaking in their Read More …

Healing with play

Dr. Shakila Naidu Play therapy or play counselling should be as much a part of the school as are its other activities. While a lot of schools offer counselling to their students, recent research has proved the significance of using Read More …

Hold that judgment

Geetha Durairajan I was coming back to Hyderabad from a seminar and I had booked a call taxi to pick me up at the airport. I saw the missed calls from the driver and took the call as soon as Read More …

The power of peer learning

Chintan Girish Modi In the first half of June 2014, I was invited by Snow Leopard Adventures and Ananta Aspen Centre to co-facilitate a programme called Planet Harmony in Rishikesh with a group of 32 high school students from Delhi, Read More …

Redefining roles

Amit Deshwal At Centre for Learning (CFL), a small alternative education centre where I work, we often talk about how in schools and colleges, we have varied, well-defined roles; and how people start to identify themselves so dearly with their Read More …

Learning about life the lateral way

Himani Tyagi A generation ago, families imparted life skills and value education to their children. In India, the extended family and community also played an active role. Today, with nuclear families prevailing, busy parents rely on schools to impart life Read More …

The peer advantage

Sharayu Kamath As a child, I grew up in an extended family with several cousins and friends my age or slightly younger or older. Schooling was in a large, all girls convent, with over 3000 students marching to the rhythm Read More …

When everyone’s a learner and teacher

Divya Choudary You’ve been through this. You wrack your brains over a particular concept or problem and still find the solution elusive. And then, a friend comes by, and over a cup of coffee explains it to you and you Read More …