Round Square Schools

These schools practice genuinely Hahnian (professed by Kurt Hahn) principles and ideals of education. They have their fundamental objective in the full development of every pupil - academic, physical, cultural and spiritual. This objective is reflected in the curriculum of each school which, through its comprehensive nature, enables such development.

ServiceIn striving to achieve a balance between self-improvement and self-sacrifice in the interests of others, Round Square schools develop in the pupils qualities of skill and care. The pupils are educated in concepts and practice of service to the needy in their local communities. There is an active concern for the environment, and in tackling environmental problems.

ChallengeThese schools are committed to train the appreciation of physical health and moral fortitude through the challenge and adventure of outdoor pursuits.

ResponsibilityEducation in the value of democracy is essential in the schools’ pupils, particularly appreciating the importance of self-discipline, are trained and obliged, through partnership with adults in the school community, to take an active part in the running of the school. A high level of responsibility is thrown upon them both individually and collectively. Freedom of thought and speech is encouraged, with appropriate forums and channels of communication.

Global PerspectiveThese schools aim to be international and welcome pupils of all nationalities. The students learn to appreciate the value of cultures, languages and religions other than their own and see themselves as genuinely international citizens.

Educational Philosophy

• Education is a shared responsibility in a school community of board, administration, faculty, students and parents.
• A safe and secure environment that is marked by respect for the rights of others and acceptance of personal responsibility is conducive to effective learning.
• Education must encompass the development of the whole individual; academic, aesthetic, creative, social, physical, emotional and spiritual.
• Students are individuals whose learning is influenced by age, prior knowledge, background, experiences, personality and physiology.
• The learning environment and educational process should recognize different learning styles, abilities and interests.
• Education is most effective when the learner is actively engaged in the learning process.
• Education should provide meaningful and relevant experiences that parallel those found in everyday life.
• The student’s school experience should foster self-esteem and self-confidence, which are integral components of the successful learner.
• Education should foster independent thinking to encourage creativity, thoughtful decision making, critical analysis, and an appreciation and understanding of differences in opinion.
• The school experience should promote positive interpersonal relationships where students can work together, become caring and sharing individuals, with the concern and feeling for others.
• The establishment of realistic, yet challenging expectations and the learner’s responsibility for their achievement promotes excellence.
• Education should encourage responsible citizenship and global awareness.

By R. Martin Kennedy,
Courtesy Ramchandani Education Consultants Pvt. Ltd

www.gsl.in

Imagination of the thought gods.

Kathleen’s Temenos- world of imagination carries us into Tagore’s Play  House of infinite forms and our infinity mind, which is the same Play House. And beyond the Thought gods and Valhalla and Olympus, is Dunsany’s Castle of the King of Elfland and the martyred Sheikh of the Emerald Cities of Ishraq. Renaissance is the same world of Imagination and Liberation and Qays’ abandoned Kingdom, given up for beauty.

Lack of visual images is the blinding of the soul and lack of the infinity mind is its death. Instead ‘we make our bodies a house of pictures.’ Mystic sounds of the ocean are the songs of the soul, like the songs of mermaids when shells are held to the ear.

                             

I see only two portraits on the wall of a building at Princeton University : Einstein and Dirac. They represent this new species seen throughout human history: Leonardo was one, Rumi and  Newton others.

From my friend Ted Falconar

The Public School ethos

Preamble
The words ‘Public School’ have been taken from Britain and truly represent the real meaning of ‘Public School’ because, by their constitution, the members of the Indian Public Schools Conference do not discriminate in admissions on the basis of caste, creed, colour or race.

Aims
Public Schools subscribe to the philosophy that:

• Children should be exposed to a general all-round education and emerge as good secular citizens of India.
• Schools must develop the minds of the children and also their physique, their skills, their personality and leadership traits and create a sense of fellow feeling with their less fortunate brethren, if they are to be good citizens.
• Schools should practice equality between all students in their school irrespective of financial status of parents and background.

Academics
These schools are affiliated to one of the two recognized All India systems of secondary education - the Central Board of Secondary Education and the Council of Indian School Certificate Examinations.

The medium of instruction is English. Hindi is compulsory till standard X and a third language is compulsory till standard VIII.

The academic year usually consists of two terms of four months each, a spring term and an autumn term.

The Schools take pride in the fact that their over all student: teacher ratio is around 15:1. Books and Stationery are supplied by the school usually within the fee.

Sports
PT and Games are compulsory and are supervised by qualified staff and coaches. Cricket, Hockey, Football and Athletics are played in their respective seasons. Most of the schools offer, in addition, a choice between Tennis, Squash, Badminton, Table Tennis, Basketball, Volleyball, Boxing, Swimming, Archery etc. With the exception of some specialized items, the cost of games equipment is included in the consolidated fee.

Co-curricular activitiesPublic Schools lay emphasis on all round education. To develop latent talents and skills, a variety of hobbies are offered and the choice of one per year made compulsory out of Photography, Art, Pottery, Sculpture, Carpentry, Metalwork, Electronics, Aero-modelling, Philately, etc.

In addition, to build talent and develop leadership abilities these schools are well organised in Debating, Dramatics, Music and have special interest Societies in disciplines such as Astronomy, Wildlife, Literary Affairs, History and Human Rights etc.

Each school endeavours to have its own student-run publications, newsletters and magazines.

The Prefect system and a strong adventure programme (mountain climbing, river swimming and other outward-bound activities) inculcate character and leadership.

Pupils are encouraged to compete against themselves in the programmes of the Royal Life Saving Society, St. John’s Ambulance Brigade and the International Award for Young People.

Good citizenship is inculcated by the actual practice of democracy in letting the students run all the activities. A care and concern for their fellow human beings and for the environment is created by a strong social service programme which includes working in the villages, going on disaster relief expeditions, working with the blind, deaf, dumb and mentally retarded, working on tree planting, gardening, compost pit making etc.

Health
The schools have their own hospitals with resident nurses; services of highly qualified consultants are arranged in the neighbourhood.

Fee
Since good education of the wide nature described above is not cheap and since most schools have no other source of income, the fees range from Rs. 1,00,000.00 upwards per year, with a few extras (travel, uniform etc.). However, in true spirit of equality, most schools are able to offer part or full scholarships.

Admission
Admission is usually by Entrance Test and/or Interview, and is as fair as possible. Subject to certain reservations for alumni children. Children have to be registered with the school on payment of a non-refundable Registration Fee.

Three wonderful years

Dear Volunteers, young leaders and family,

A small thank you note on the completion of my term as the Hon. National Director for IAYP in India.

You endearing smiles and the selfless spirit have really been a source of tremendous joy to many and more for me. At this hour when I have decided to move on, thought did owe you an answer for not being here to be your mentor anymore. Life they say is a journey and there are some wonderful pit stops on the way, the past three years were one such utopia. Felt the energy and found the youth in each of the lovely people who walked along with me.

Over three decades of being with the Award, have had the biggest joy of making thousands feel rewarded, and this was my good fortune. The fantastic team of young people we have...had the world in awe, and no
one can thank you all enough for the selfless work and the blind faith in us and sometimes in me alone. Yes, have never worked for any badge or any form of paper recognition and never will; it is your true love that has been my greatest reward. Hope to live up to your expectations and not have a mere recognition to hang on the wall.

In this argumentative nation of ours, we have people who want power, but believe me they will never become powerful. To be empowered you have to lead to where you feel you most cherish. Yes, the past three years, the prime of my work life have had the big honor and privilege of having your trust in me, and do apologize for not being able to continue despite all your faith in me.

Last few days for all of us have been an emotional drain as we are the Award Family and not really an organization, as some perceive. Please do continue your good work, and will always be there with you. Yes,
will miss the wonderful interns and the hordes of university volunteers; the good times; the gangs; the party times and the fun with Nivi, BIvujit Sir, Chittaranjan bhaiya and many more!

Yes have moist eyes and a lump in the throat, as a great reward for the good times and the bonhomie we have had. Will live with you always.

Yours ever,
Sandeep

---
Sandeep Dutt
86 Shahpur Jat, Khel Gaon Marg, New Delhi 110049, India
www.sandeepdutt.com

NB
If you want to write to me, please do on www.sdutt.com (my blog) - you
will not be able to write to my email "nd@dofe.in" anymore.

Abraham Lincoln’s letter to the Headmaster of his son’s school.

My son will have to learn I know, that all men are not just, all men are not true. But teach him also that for every scoundrel there is a hero; that for every selfish politician, there is a dedicated leader. Teach him that for every enemy there is a friend.

It will take time, I know; but teach him, if you can, that a dollar earned is of far more value than five found.

Teach him to learn to lose and also enjoy winning, steer him away from envy, if you can.

Teach him the secret of quiet laughter. Let him learn early that the bullies are the easiest to lick.

Teach him, if you can the wonder of books... but also give him quiet time to ponder over the eternal mystery of birds in the sky, bees in the sun and flowers on a green hill-side.

In school, teach him it is far more honourable to fail than to cheat.

Teach him to have faith in his own ideas, even if everyone tells him they are wrong.

Teach him to be gentle with gentle people and tough with the tough.

Try to give my son the strength not to follow the crowd when everyone is getting on the band wagon.

Teach him, if you can, how to laugh when he is sad.

Teach him that there is no shame in tears. Teach him to scoff at cynics and to beware of too much sweetness.

Teach him to sell his brawn and brain to the highest bidders; but never to put a price tag on his heart and soul.

Teach him to close his ears to a howling mob ... and to stand and fight if he thinks he’s right.

Treat him gently; but do not cuddle him because only the test of fire makes fine steel.

Let him have the courage to be impatient, let him have the patience to be brave. Teach him always to have sublime faith in himself, in mankind.

This is a big order; but see what you can do ... He is such a fine little fellow my son.

Courtesy

www.gsi.in

Essence of Quality in Education

We have Public Schools, Independent Schools, and Government aided schools. To provide an all-round education it is best to be financially independent and beyond the pale of direct government control, to be free to innovate and keep education alive.

There are 33 State Education Boards and 2 National Education Boards. The CBSE is limited as it eliminates international exams as additional streams. The CISCE is more in tune with freedom for innovation and is an autonomous body.

International Recognition : It is feasible to consider additional streams such as - The British ‘O’ levels and ‘A’ levels and the International Baccalaureate (IB).

Boarding schools take children at the age of 11. 700 students is a good size for a boarding school. We have Nursery Schools, Primary Schools, Secondary Schools and Senior Secondary Schools. Most Boarding Schools take 8 months of the year. Day Schools tend to load the homework on students and are still not ideal.

Quality in education consists of happy teachers, a good student- teacher ratio, modern equipment and adequate space and classroom facilities.

A good school should offer facilities for retraining teachers and good salaries at par with related spheres. A well-designed school should have modern aids and teaching devices. A school should be a centre for excellence. It should employ good teachers and pay them well. It should encourage a concern for environment and cleanliness. Above all it should be managed by a dynamic Principal and competent, humane teachers.

Schools should not be commercial shops or teaching shops. Teachers should be well read and inspired people. They should read about education, love the children they teach and have all-round personalities. They should acquaint themselves with the Montessori methods, the philosophy of Swami Vivekanand and read John Dewey, Rabindranath Tagore and Jean Jaques Rousseau. Quality in education leads to quality in our lives and that is what we are all striving for.

Courtesy : Ramchandani Education Consultants Pvt. Ltd

www.gsi.in

Education

The term education encompasses a whole gamut of experimental learning which, in a school, is given through teachers in the classroom and often, more importantly, outside. It is the nature of the experience and how it is designed to be imparted that makes the difference between a good school and an ordinary school.

How are the academic subjects taught and what is it a school should teach outside academic subjects?

There are three important functions, among others, of the educational process in the classroom apart from mere learning:

• To develop problem-solving abilities.
• To develop creative abilities, and
• To develop curiosity and an inquisitive spirit.

Does the school have systems of teaching and learning that encourage development of the above? For instance, through assignments, seminars and project work? What place does the library have in the learning process? In the assessment systems used by the school, how much emphasis is given to marks?

Often the opportunities for learning outside the classroom are greater, through sports and games and other activities like adventure sports, dramatics and community service. All play an important role in developing character and citizenship. A good school will provide a balance of opportunities in its curriculum to allow a student to develop along his or her special interests and talent.

Mr Shomie Das, a renowned educationist

Guide to Good Schools of India, www.gsi.in

The Leadership lexicon

A for attitude

B for bold

C for cool

D for daring

E for enterprising

F for flexible

G for good

H for honest

I for integrity

J for jovial

K for kind

L for laborious

M for modest

N for noble

O for opportunity

P for passion

Q for quietude

R for rational

S for strong

T for transparent

U for ubiquitous

V for vivacious

W for warhorse

X for Xylo

Y for yogi

Z for zeal

Who cares for the young?

They are rebellious, want change, anti establishment, think different...are reasons for us to down play and often not be just to the young.

All the young ask for us our trust, and no more. We need to be very careful and caring when we work for our young people. They are free of schemes and devious ways of the world as they live on hope for a better tomorrow. Do we have any reason to deny them their right to a better tomorrow?

Think fresh is being young and as we want to be good mentors and help them build a better world, we need to care for them more now. Environment, economics, energy all has to be for the youth. If you care for them do save the world by helping trust the young and let them lead.

Anonymous Bengali poem translated by Rabindranath Tagore

In the morning I awoke at the flutter of thy boat-sails,
Lady of my Voyage, and I left the shore to follow the beckoning waves.


I asked thee, “does thy dream-harvest ripen in the island beyond the blue?”


The silence of thy answer fell on my question like the silence of sunlight on waves.
The day passed on through storm and through calm,
The perplexed winds changed their course, time after time, and the sea moaned.


I asked thee,
“ Does thy sleep-tower stand somewhere beyond the dying embers of the day’s funeral pyre?


No answer came from thee, only thine eyes smiled like the edge of a sunset cloud.


It is night.  Thy figure grows dim in the dark.
Thy wind-blown hair flits  on my cheek and thrills my sadness with its scent.


My hands grope to touch the hem of thy robe and I ask thee----
“Is there thy garden of death beyond the stars . Lady of my Voyage, where thy silence blossoms into songs?”


Thy smile shines in the heart of the hush like the star-mist of midnight.


I thank my friend Ted Falconar for sharing this with me.