The New Students

“We started with this programme last year,but we were not properly organised. There were various problems that came up which we had not taken into account. For example,we started teaching the adults phonics as we teach children,but that did not work well. But now we are thoroughly prepared,” says Mallareddy. Sharada Chavan,principal,and Devyani Pawar,vice principal,were instrumental in putting together and executing this adult education programme. “It is their complete support and participation in all the activities of the school that has made this possible,” he adds.

The classes are completely voluntary and open to parents of students from surrounding schools like Mother Teresa High School,Kharadi,and another PMC school in Mundhwa. “Even the rickshaw drivers at the chowk were interested in learning English so we have asked them to join in too,” he adds.

Since most children studying in municipal schools come from weak financial backgrounds,the parents are either completely uneducated or have only a basic knowledge of English. “We often think that uneducated people are least bothered about what their child is doing in school,but in reality,it is just the opposite. These parents,who could not manage to get a decent education,go out of their way for their children and sometimes even look to their kids to teach them what they learn in school,” Mallareddy says. The parents are eager to attend the programme. With this,the self-confidence of the children will increase along with that of the parents thus resulting in a better atmosphere at home. “It is the ultimate progress of the children that matters the most,” Mallareddy adds.

A programme plan has been professionally designed by the programme manager,Emily Dew. Dew has been a Montessori teacher in London. “We will segregate parents into three classrooms which will cater separately to those who are completely uneducated,those who have an idea of English and those who have basic elementary knowledge of the language,” informs Chavhan.

The classes will be held on Saturday evenings or Sunday mornings. A different approach will be used for each category. “We will teach them English by relating it to a context they can connect with. Like,for those who have no knowledge of the language,we will use Bollywood songs that have some English words as well as teleserials that have English dialogues,” explains Chavhan. “Magazines will be used to teach those who have some idea of the language whereas we will have advanced English classes for those who already know how to read and write,” he adds.

The school aims at promoting community bonding through this adult education programme. “We are sure that this programme will continue even after we have finished our fellowship. Our successive fellows will carry the torch of education ahead to overcome the darkness of illiteracy and we hope that more and more volunteers for the nation do the same,” says Mallareddy.