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Keywords
Alternative education, multi-level teaching, painting, clay work, drawing, needlework, theme-based learning
Geographical Location
Bangalore, Karnataka
Languages
Kannada, English, Hindi
Philosophy/Beliefs
Sita School is a daytime, alternative school, about 28 kms to the north of Bangalore, started in 1975 by Jane Sahi.
Forty children aged between 4 and 15 years, come to this school from the surrounding villages of Silvepura, Fatimapura, Thimalapura and Hurulichikanahalli. They are largely from the socially and economically underprivileged sections of the Dalit community; children of migrant workers, children of uprooted and unstable families. The majority of the children take the Karnataka State Board's seventh standard examination in the Kannada medium as private candidates as and when they are prepared for it.
Work Description
Children at Sita school are encouraged to learn at their own pace without pressure of exams or fear of failure and disapproval. Says Jane Sahi (founder of the shcool) 'At Sita School we try to create an environment which stimulates the child not just intellectually, but also emotionally, creatively and socially'.
In addition to language study, practical math, social studies and science, children learn clay work, tailoring, needlework, printing, first aid, food, health and home remedies, kitchen gardening. Jane Sahi (founder of the school) believes that poetry, drama, stories, puppetry, painting, making models involve children in understanding a subject in a way that abstract learning cannot.
Teaching at Sita School is largely clustered around themes. Children are encouraged to plan, explore, experiment and evaluate topics in a variety of ways that cut across traditional subject boundaries. A theme is usually explored for between one to three months.
Cooperation, sharing and respect for the other is consciously fostered. There are many opportunities where responsibilities can be shared in small groups like making wall charts, murals, even their own books. Older children help the younger ones with class work and children of different abilities and ages work together in groups. There are five multi-level groups at present: Karuna (4-8 year olds), Sadhana (8-12 year olds), Vasantha (12-14 year olds), Sangeetha (13-14 year olds) and Gulabi (children appearing for the Karnataka State Seventh Standard Board exams).
Art is not an additional activity limited to the weekly drawing class, but is the basis, the underlying means of expression of all learning especially at the primary level. Nearly all the children at Sita School draws profusely and spontaneously and without inhibition. Jane Sahi (founder of the school) believes that a child can sometimes visually express something that would otherwise on a verbal level, remain suppressed.
The syllabus which has evolved over the years has been built on the child's own experience and knowledge of the immediate environment and the community. Jane Sahi (founder of the school) suggests that it is difficult to prescribe a definitive method or a set of methods for alternative education. If education is to be vital and meaningful it has to be organic, and open to change. Each child is so specific and unique that we have to evolve ways to deal with each one of them.
About Jane Sahi
Jane Sahi born in England moved to India in 1968 in search of a deeper understanding of Gandhiji’s life and values. She met a number of individuals who helped shape her perspective and ideals. Gandhiji continues to be to a strong source of inspiration, in particular, his vision and theory of basic education ‘which is rooted in the soil both literally and figuratively.’
Contact Information
Jane Sahi
Sita School 'Vishram',
Silvepura, Turbanahalli P.O.
Bangalore, Karnataka 560090
Website Links:
A report on Sita School
Presentation at July 2007 Conference