Quality education must reach the underserved, especially the underprivileged adolescent girls, and empowerment must find a place in the core curriculum – this is the philosophy of Study Hall Educational Foundation. Since 2011, Digital Study Hall, the outreach wing of the Foundation has been running the Aarohini programme in the Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas of Uttar Pradesh for the empowerment of the adolescent girls. As the programme evolved, it was evident that the programme can be successful only when the girls are supported by their families too. The teachers, therefore, are inspired to become agents of change and are trained for community mobilization.
After a very fruitful meeting between Dr. Urvashi Sahni and the Hon’ble Chief Minister of Rajasthan, Smt. Vijaya Raje Scindia, the Rajasthan Govt. invited the Study Hall Educational Foundation to conduct a workshop on issue based drama for the teachers of 71 model schools .Training for the first batch was conducted in Jaipur on November 23rd and 24th,2015. Mrs. Shalini Chandra from Digital Study Hall, Dr. Suman Dwivedi and Mr. Bhartendu from Study Hall school were the trainers.There was hundred percent attendance and the trainees thoroughly enjoyed their first brush with theatre. They learnt how to convert a story idea into an issue based play. Starting with the importance of imagination and critically thinking about the social issues, they learnt the basics of dialogue writing, body language, voice modulation, masking, blocking, low cost – no cost props and symbolic make-up. They were fascinated with the session about using drama to teach the regular subjects and were bursting with ideas when asked to prepare lessons on different topics.
The NTT trainees were all geared up, brimming with excitement and anxiety. It was the time they had been looking forward for. Yes! Teaching opportunity and independent class handing at Prerna Girls School run by Study Hall Educational Foundation .
All the eleven trainees met the principal, Mrs. Rakhee Panjwani and the Pre Primary class teachers to understand and learn about the course work at school. The trainees visited the school much in advance to get first hand feel and for better understanding of the children.
Thereafter lesson plans were prepared and practice teaching sessions were done in the class. Rounds of practice of black board work, making teaching aids and discussions for involving each and every child while conducting the class made learning a rich experience.
The classes were conducted for a week in the first week of November. It was a wonderful learning experience as the trainees found their teaching practice improving every passing day. The children gave an overwhelming response and the trainees at the same time learnt how children acquire knowledge through activities and kinaesthetic learning.
Children’s’ Day Celebration
Study hall celebrated the children’s day on a grand scale. The various programmes prepared and presented by the staff members for the entertainment of students were thoroughly enjoyed by all.It was a memorable day for everyone.
“We were all children once and we love our children. We share the desire for their happiness and well being ”
– Study Hall Staff
Study Hall Junior School organised “Soaring Heights” the annual sports day on Saturday, 7th November 2015 at Sahara grounds with much zeal and fervour. More than five hundred students participated in the event along with the children of Dosti wing of Study Hall school.
Mr. Raj Shekhar, District Magistrate of Lucknow was the esteemed chief guest of this landmark day. He was highly appreciative of the hard work and perseverance of the little ones and applauded the enthralling performances.
The event comprised of a melange of programmes presented by the students of classes one to five.It was well received by the parents who patiently sat through the afternoon and watched their little ones perform. Study Hall has always promoted sports activities and strongly believes in instilling a spirit of healthy camaraderie in the students. The sports day was a clear evidence of this fact.
