Alternative education in Kerala

                 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.

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.

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.