Sugamya Shiksha- A Juggernaut of School Development

Mysuru: Children of the Government Higher Primary and High School, Metagalli beam with pride and joy today as they are honing their skills on par with students of any private school. Thanks to Sugamya Shiksha, a comprehensive school development model conceptualized and planned to make Government schools a model that enables a comprehensive learning environment. 
 
The last three months of 2022 turned out to be fun and engaging for the students of Metagalli school as they were introduced to concepts of Financial Literacy, Digital Literacy, and Soft skills. Apart from imparting 21st Century skills to the students, the team is also working towards strengthening the SDMC committee for the holistic development of the students as well as the schools. 
 
Flea market- Of the students, by the students, and for the students 
 
In the month of November and December, children of both Metagalli and Koorgalli government schools gained knowledge about running a profitable business. Amidst growing competition in the job market, it becomes necessary for students to hone financial skills as early as in their high school. By arranging for a flea market run by students titled Makkala Santhe, the Sugamya Shiksha team let the students engage in business transactions. With stalls selling freshly plucked vegetables, to making lip-smacking snacks, students came up with creative ways to run a successful business. The students also came up with creative promotional tactics to attract customers to their stalls. Makkala Santhe prompted many students into becoming tomorrow’s entrepreneurs.  

According to the Executive Director of GRAAM, Dr Basavaraju R Shreshta, students should learn concepts beyond the curriculum, they should hone skills that are necessary for day-to-day life. “Be it life skills, digital literacy, or financial literacy, it should be imparted to students. Through the Makkala Santhe, we are inculcating financial literacy among them”  said Dr Shreshta, who was a part of the flea market. 

English Literature Festival 

Kids often shy away from communicating in any other language other than their mother tongue even outside of homes. As part of language literacy, the Sugamya Shiksha team hosted English Literature Fest in November. The Metagalli school was decked up in colorful charts and maps depicting English alphabets, words, and phrases. Students were engaged in group activities to facilitate the English curriculum in a fun way.

A career guidance workshop by Dream Path Foundation  

With mind-tingling activities and a tinge of creativity, a workshop on academics and career guidance was organized for High School children. Sugamya Shiksha under its Educational Support Scheme 0rganized this workshop for Class 09 and 10 students in collaboration with Dream Path Foundation. 

The workshop began with an ice-breaking session followed by the creative activity of building towers using newspapers. The workshop encouraged active listening and communication, mind mapping, creating awareness of the importance of career building, and giving the students an opportunity to understand self-interests and strengths. Not just limited to career goals, the workshop also included sessions on earning, savings and investments. 

SDMC Meeting for the development of government schools  
 
In the first week of December, the School Development and Monitoring Committee members of both Metagalli and Koorgalli schools were taken to model schools in Hongahalli and Nenekatte villages of Gunglupet Taluk in Mysuru to seek inspiration to develop their respective schools further. The SDMC members include parents, alumni, teachers, and current students.  
 
Even though the government has stressed on strengthening SDMC members, it often has not translated into action. Sugamya Shiksha on the other hand is working towards motivating and strengthening these members as SDMC forms the foundation of the school’s development works. The visit to model schools resulted in increased coordination between the SDMC members. 
 
Chapati Mapping- A gateway for development
 
After the visit, a school mapping activity was conducted at the Metagalli Government Higher Primary and High School. The SDMC members identified the scope for developmental activities in the school and proposed it. Through Chapati Mapping/road map, a way to design the action plan for the school’s development, each member of the committee was assigned tasks. Maintenance of infrastructure, ensuring discipline in the classroom, cleanliness, and supply of midday meals were a few of the tasks distributed among the members.  

No Bag Day: A fun and frolicking way of learning  

No Bag Day is a concept loved by school kids. The idea of not having to carry a heavy load of school bags on Saturday was conceptualized and advocated by GRAAM. It was GRAAM’s brainchild ‘No Bag Day’ that the Department of Education, Government of Karnataka, approved and implemented across the state. Once a month, children walk hands-free into classrooms to learn concepts beyond the prescribed curriculum. On a Saturday in December, instead of engaging in classroom learning, children of Metagalli ventured into the world of Solid Waste Management. No Bag Day was observed in the school by breaking down the concept of waste management and the hazards of waste. With catchy songs and skits being performed, learning was fun and frolicking.