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Auroville Youth Education, Research
and Training Project
(part 2) |
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Isai Ambalam School emphasises
the development of educational methods specially suited
to children of illiterate parents, and for children who
have dropped out of the normal school system. One section
focuses on preparing dropout children, from age 9 - 14,
for either work or open examinations. There is also a crèche
and kindergarten for children of working mothers. The programme
included research into new educational methods appropriate
to these children. One line of research was an early reading
method, the “Glen Doman” method based on a joyful
and playful atmosphere enabling the pupils to identify more
than 2000 words in English and Tamil before the age of four.
The other method translated and trialled, was the “School-in-a
Box” method, developed by the Rishi Valley Satellite
School Programme with tribal children (supported by a grant
by the British ODA - now DFID). The aim with both these
methods was to gradually introduce them into local government
schools, thus giving benefit to a wider range of children.
Form more information on the school, follow the link
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Here the aim of the project was to develop innovative
methods of education suitable to the local situation,
while at the same time educating increasing numbers
of local drop-outs and pre-school children. The project
experimented with a variety of teaching techniques
for slow learners, and continuously trained and encouraged
increasing numbers of teachers to use innovative teaching
methods enhancing the integrated development of the
children.
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Children at Isai Ambalam School |
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The
project’s aims were:
The six existing
buildings made of temporary materials were refurbished
using more durable materials to reduce the need for
constant repair and maintenance.
The “Joy
of Learning” method was trans-created into
the Tamil language for testing at the school. This
enabled skills in Tamil, English, Maths, Science,
and Social Sciences to be taught through self-directed
learning methods, which could be replicated for use
at other schools in the bio-region and in Tamil Nadu
State. During the 3 yrs project duration this
enabled 70 drop-out children aged 9-14 from needy families
to acquire basic learning.
The Glenn
Doman early reading method was establish within
the school’s curriculum to enable 70 pre-school
children from needy families to learn to read during
the 3 yr duration of the project.
Innovative
teacher training programmes, training workshops and
study trips were set up.
Educational
materials, training materials and books, as well as
First Aid and hygiene materials were purchased.
Nutritious snacks and meals
were provided each day to demonstrate healthy ways
of eating.
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Life
Education Centre is especially for girls, providing
training for 30 disadvantaged girls between the ages
of 14 - 25, in tailoring, needlework and typing, with
an emphasis on counselling and gender awareness.
For more information on Life Educaton Cenrre, follow the link1 and link2.
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Girls learning tailoring at Life
Education Centre |
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The project carried out the following:
A scholarship
system was set up so that the parents of 18 "working
age" children (initially) agreed to let them continue
in school to follow an apprenticeship programme.
Stipends were
made available for 75 young women trainees (over 3
yrs) so their parents would allow them to follow vocational
training rather than unskilled employment. This focus
enabled these girls to learn vocational skills
in a gender-aware atmosphere.
At Life Education
Centre informal training in vocational skills such
as typing and tailoring in a 2 year course, were provided
for 3 groups of 15 girls ages 14 - 25, in a context
of gender issues awareness
To strengthen
the Life Education Centre facilities, existing buildings
made of temporary materials were refurbished
using more durable materials to reduce the need for
constant repair and maintenance.
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European Commission
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