Anita Pailoor
Balabalaga, a non-formal school in Dharwad has made learning enjoyable for children. It is changing the popular notion that children walk to school and run back home.
Gopal Joshi is a professor in an engineering college in Hubli. He can very well afford owning a four wheeler. But it was his fourteen-year old daughter who stopped him from buying one. Yashasvini was very clear. When it is not a primary need for us, why should we add to the increasing pollution? The proud father continues commuting in his scooter!
This distinct thinking, unlikely to her age is the result of the education she gets in Balabalaga, a non-formal school in Dharwad. Balabalaga meaning childrens’ group in Kannada, wants to change the popular notion that children walk to school and run back home.
A walk inside the compound makes one feel the school’s vibrancy. Some of them would be writing day’s news on the notice board, few others choosing the thought for the day or cleaning the school yard. Those who don’t have any assigned work would either be climbing the tree or searching for the nest of a bird they saw the previous day. There are these little sports men and women who jump, run and play foot ball making noise all over. A kindergarten kid silently paints his imagination on the wall. But no one is disturbed by the other. They are occupied and focused in what they are doing.
When the clock shows 9.30 a.m. there is a silence all over. Children climb one by one to the platform and sit in a circle to start their day at school. Teachers find place here and there among the children and then begin melodious singing. Children sing several songs, which they understand and enjoy. So the array includes kindergarten songs and also Dr. Da. Ra. Bendre’s meaningful poems.
The beginning
The school started twelve years back with just four children. The idea was to make children enjoy learning. Education here helps students to understand their strengths, preferences and values of life. Every child is treated individually as per her/his needs and demands. They are also taught to work in groups. Every child is different, so there is no dress code to bind them.
Students from nursery class to tenth standard learn as they play. May it be music, dance, classical instrument, theatre, painting, sports, story telling, pot making, reading or science every interest of the children is observed to groom them accordingly. They are guided to excel in their interest, at the same time they top in their curriculum. Meet Bharath. He studies in ninth standard. He had a passion for birds and environment. He participated in the one week nature camp held during summer holidays since last four years. Children of all age-group from four years to fifteen years learn rope climbing, rappelling during this camp. Nature appreciation, bird watching and trekking are some other features of this camp. Now after four years, Bharath is acquiring the skill to recognize more than twenty five birds based on their appearance, tweet and nest. He is thankful to environmentalist Gangadhar Kallur for guiding him and his friends to explore nature.
A common place for parents
Like Gangadhar Kallur, persons with different expertise support the school by imparting their knowledge. “It is a collective effort. We are fortunate to have the support of convinced parents, teachers and well-wishers through our way to achieve the goal of creating a favourable environment for children to learn on their own. We make it a point to give the best of everything to our children,” says Dr. Sanjeev Kulakarni, Chairman of ‘Srujanasheela Shikshana Trust’ which floated the school. Obviously it is his magnetism and scrupulous effort that has brought the school all the way to this point of carving a niche in the city of educational institutions.
Unlike other schools, Balabalaga encourages parents to get involved in school activities throughout the year. “A walk to Balabalaga in the evening turns our mood perfect,” says Sunanda Bhat, a parent. Every other day there will be one or the other programme in the school’s amphi-theatre under the huge trees. Programmes range from classical music to Yakshagana and awareness on black-magic. Children’s participation is voluntary.
Parents have formed an association to work closely with the school, may it be organizing a programme or supporting a cause. School organises ‘Parents Day’ when children watch their parents performing on stage. Some of the major programmes in the school include holi festival using natural colours, science exhibition and colour festival where children enhance the beauty of school walls with their drawings. Children independently make science models which parents and teachers support and exhibit on the day of exhibition. Rare experiments exhibited – like the working of a rocket, plant in a closed bottle – show the kind of creativity nurtured in them.
The kind of education the children here get prepares them to live in tune with nature and be a responsible citizen. Brightness of their eyes reflects their confidence and enthusiasm. Parents are very much convinced about the quality learning they get in this school. The school fixes the teaching fees but not donation. Parents can voluntarily donate according to their ability to the school’s bank account.
No Teachers, only mamas and moushis
“We have had only five drawing classes in the last three months. We wanted more,” Naidile who studies in Tavare (Upper KG) complained to her teacher. Every child had something or the other to say when they were allowed to share their experiences. Parents who had gathered there to get children’s progress report were astonished to see their nerve. The school environment has created the finest loop between students and teachers.
They are called mama (uncle) and moushi (aunty) not sir or madam. This has made the magic. Students never feel that teachers are someone to be scared of. The entire school is like a family where everyone learn by experience and observation. The annual day is called Makkala Habba. Every child is made to participate in this festival as per their interest and skill.
“We make sure that children understand the basics of any subject before they proceed in the topic. Most of the concepts are taught practically. Teachers are well trained and have successfully inculcated the hunger for complete learning than just by-hearting. Their inquisitive nature is exhibited even outside the school,” says the proud Head Mistress Prathibha Kulakarni.
Every class is named after a flower or a river- Mallige, Sampige, Tavare, Narmada… the list continues. Teachers say that this helps them to relate their lifestyle with nature and its diversity. Children’s diet is also taken care of along with their intellect. They are restricted from bringing junk food and bakery products in their lunchbox. Birthdays are celebrated by distributing fruits or home made sweets. Gauri Ritti, a teacher explains, “We see that diversity is maintained in the lunch box. They are also encouraged to bring sprouted pulses and fruits along with cooked food.” Children sport khadi dresses every Saturday, which naturally teaches the values of simplicity and cleanliness.
Soon children of Balabalaga will have more space to have fun and explore. The school will be shifted to a new premise adjacent to Karnataka University. The three and a half acre location is developed in synchronisation with nature. Children say ‘In the school, everyday is exciting for us. We enjoy learning!’
For more details:
Balabalaga, Deshpande Compound, Mahishi Road, Malamaddi, Dharwad -7
Phone: 9448143100
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Anitha Pailoor, 119, 1st main, 4th cross, Narayanapur, Dharwad – 580 008
Email: anithapailoor@gmail.com ~ Cell: 9900517749
