Alternative education in Kerala
Education in India
has always been a topic of discussion among everyone. Though the adaptive nature of the system is improving, the questions about the quality of
education and its applicability in an ordinary, personal life still exists. These
questions prevails us to think about the student’s needs and his urge to find
out his surroundings through observation rather than just memorizing textbooks.
The conventional methods of schooling pressurize children to be confined in a
classroom and receive what the tutors have to offer. As an answer to this, the
alternative educational system in India implemented schools that promote the idea
of letting children grow the way they want through proper guiding and
activities that makes them closer to environment. By focusing on character
building and talent improvement these schools are shaping individuals who have unique
skills and excellence.
Today we are going to
see some alternative schools in Kerala.
Kanavu
in Wayanadu district
Kanavu is an
alternative school in Cheengode village of Wayanadu district that believes
learning is a natural process. Through various methodologies like communal
living and stage performances Kanavu encourages children to understand the
various levels of life along with the grasp of knowledge. Kanavu was an
initiative by K.J.Baby, a writer and dramatist from Kerala. The learning space
extends from paddy field, library, forest, kitchen, cowshed, kalari hall, as it
differentiates according to their tasks. It focuses majorly on tribal children
in Wayanadu up to the age of 17. Beyond the competitive nature of academic
schooling, Kanavu tries to retain the fraternity among the students. The school
gives importance to the learning of music, dance, arts, theatre, martial arts,
painting, sculpture, pottery and folklore. Learning comprises a group work of
facilitators, children and parents. By practicing these skills the children
gradually earns their income by performing in festivals across the state. It is
successful project as it gives prominence tribal children who were ignored by
mainstream schools because of their mother tongue.
Gothralayam in
Thiruvanathapuram district
Gothralayam is an
alternative school founded by Mini Raman and her husband Sudhi Nammayan in
2012. It is situated in Chavady village in Thiruvanathapuram district. It aims
on giving quality education to Dalit and Adivasi children who are isolated by
the social dogmas. They focus on enhancing the confidence level of children through
teaching those arts, dance, music and martial arts. Children are taught both
Malayalam and English and make them ready to face the world with a better
perspective.
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| Sudhi and Mini |
Sarang
in Palakkad district
Sarang is an
alternative school situated in Attapady in Palakkad district. It is an innovative
school started by a teacher couple Gopalakrishnan and Vijayalakshmi to promote
a new dimension to education. They quitted their government jobs as they
realized the limitations of formal education. They created their own dream
school with an environment that is real, open and close to nature. There is no
fixed curriculum, uniform, homework, exams or certificates. Beyond the concept
of a conventional school Sarang offers knowledge in organic farming, forest and
soil conservation, arts, science, culture and language. They engage in
activities like house making to learn architecture, construction of check-dams
to learn environmental science and mathematics through observation. These activities
strengthen the students’ outlook and transform their lives.
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| Water and Soil conservation in Sarang |
Bhoomi
kinder garten in Ernakulam district
Bhoomi kinder garten is
an alternative school focuses on children up to the age of six. They engage
students in activities like storytelling, cooking, gardening to improvise their
imagination and interactions. Outdoor classes and natural toys are allotted to
children to stimulate their connection with nature.
Pallikoodam
in Kottayam district
Pallikoodam is an
alternative school established by Mary Roy, writer and social activist from
Kerala. It is situated in Kalathilpady in Kottayam district. The students have
the opportunity to learn sports, music, arts, dance, clay modeling, painting,
public speaking, yoga and cooking. The school follows an academic syllabus
along with these activities to mould children from the age of 6 to 17.
These schools attempts
to recreate a learning environment that is suitable for students through
enabling them to face real life challenges in an interesting and innovative
way. It helps them to feel free and reduce the pressure exerted by the
mainstream schools. As most of these schools have residential system, it
improves the qualities like unity, co-operation and companionship among
children. The varied skills acquired from these schools make them to excel in
different fields. These institutions would be a bless to children who are
physically or mentally challenged as they are encouraged to learn through their
own perspective. By being close to nature the students develop themselves as
socially responsible individuals with higher aptitude and attitude.
Still, the
applicability of this learning in a practical world is questionable when
certificates are mandatory for jobs. The scope for higher education is also
limited to some extent. Providing training to a large number of students in
this manner seems to be inconceivable.
As an attempt to view
education in a novel manner, these schools shows that skills are equally
important as academics. This notion stimulates a rethinking in our current
educational policies and a need for change in it. Hope the system evolves and
qualifies to be an ideal one which makes children as an asset to our nation.
Thank you.
