News India Times

News India Times 2 (September 7 - September 13, 2024) September 13, 2024 My Views On An Innovative School Pandit Sukhlalji Lok Vidhyalaya Maydhar R ecently, I had the opportunity to visit Pandit Shuklalji Lok Vidyalaya in Maydhar. As you are aware, our esteemed author and educationalist Manubhai Pancholi ‘Darshak’ started a school in 1978 to promote informal and enjoyable education. Many stalwarts from Ambia and Lokbharti cooperated, and the school functioned quite well until 2001. In the absence of Manubhai Pancholi, the school remained closed from 2001 to 2013. However, in the bitih centenary year of Manubhai Pancholi “Darshak”, Arun- bhai Dave, the managmg trustee of Lokbharti, decided to revive Darshak’s dream. Dr. Arunbhai Dave is known for his experiments and practical lessons using pictures and equipment to en- hance education. He believes: I heard it, forgot it; I saw it, I remembered it; I do it, and I understand it.” In order to put this formula into practice, appropriate infrastructure is required. This means considerable fi- nancial investment. In order to transform exam-oriented education into life-oriented education, a completely innovative approach is required. When I visited Pandit Shuklalji Lok Vidyalaya, I was informed that Aaviskar Science Centre in Bangalore, with the help of Prakash Bhagvati, provided training, a syllabus, and hands-on activity kits. Prakash Bhag- vati, through the Hiralal Bhagvati Charitable Trust, also provided core funds to support the experiment on a sustainable basis. Normally, students find science and mathematics somewhat difficult to understand. Here at Pandit Shuklalji Lok Vidyalaya, teaching and learning science and mathematics are not difficult but easy and enjoyable. Shri Madhukarbhai Parekh of Pidilite Industries provided all the required funds to create ultra-modern infrastructure for the school. Honourable Minister of the Government of India, Shri Mansukh Mandaviya, also consistently supported this innovative experiment. Shri Adar Poonawalla of the Serum Institute and the Savani family of Surat made donations to create a hostel and community hall. Pandit Shuklalji Lok Vidyalaya has not confined itself to the school but has spread its efforts over 80 villages in the Palitana and Talaja talukas of Bhavnagar district. Children from the adopted schools frequently come to Pandit Shuklalji Lok Vidyalaya, Maydhar, to learn through various experiments. It is said that the best definition of education is to develop the ability to grasp, understand, analyze, and innovate. During my visit, I saw many young people designing small but useful gadgets on their own. Here, teaching is secondary, b.ut learning is primary. Four trained teachers travel to various schools along with learning skills to improve the educational standards of rural schools in Shihor, Palitana, and Talaja talukas of Bhavnagar district. The experiment at Pandit Shuklalji Lok Vidyalaya is not limited to science and mathematics but also covers various events, festivals, and social work. There is great emphasis on cleanliness, self-reliance, manual work, and productive activities. Pandit Shuklalji Lok Vidyalaya, Maydhar, also promotes harmony, a commitment to care and share, as well as respect for oth- ers and their views. I can say without hesitation that Pandit Shuklalji Lok Vidyalaya, Maydhar, is an experiment that needs to be replicated if we want to make India a true Vishwag- uru. I must commend all the donors and supporters of this great educational experiment. By PK Laheri Event organized by Kasturba Sevashram Trust. Students at Kasturba Sevashram Trust school. Photo:kasturbasevashram.org Philanthropy