Scholastic Activity

• Teaching via Fun Activities: The primary thrust is on activities that make the process of teaching and learning interesting and fun. For instance, while familiarising children with language, we start with simple words that the children are familiar with and then introduce alphabets. In addition to the use of blackboards, we employ charts and colourful picture cards locally prepared by the teachers as well as students.

• Text Books/Syllabus: All centres follow books published by Eklavya, Hoshangabad. Additionally, Apna Skool teachers, coordinators and volunteers design a course structure for ApnaSkools combining ideas from Eklavya educational materials as well as books prescribed by the state (UP) Board and NCERT (National Council for Educational Research and Training).

• Mobile library: Apna Skool curriculum encourages students to cultivate a reading habit to supplement their education. To achieve this, we maintain a collection of relevant books and multimedia products in our brick & mortar as well as mobile libraries. The mobile libraries circulate between  the 25 brick kiln centres from which our children come. 

• Video shows: Films and documentaries, shown using mobile equipment at each Apna Skool centre, generally cover three topics: educational material, health awareness and workers' rights.

• Excursions: to zoos, museums and parks in neighbouring towns, while sounding like minor activities, play a significant role in the children’s development by increasing their love for school, for none of these children have ever even heard of the idea of an excursion or extra-curricular trip in any context! Every year, the children participate in cultural functions on select days such as the Independence day, Republic day and Annual day, etc., and these activities foster a sense of community that is vital to the mental and physical development of every child.

Connections with formal educational systems

• Examinations: We arrange for end-of-year examinations to be administered by the  National Institute for Open Schooling (NIOS), thus ensuring that these children also get accreditation as well as education.

• Further Education: For older children who are sufficiently scholastically advanced, and for children graduating out of these centres, we arrange for continuing their education in mainstream schools in the Kanpur area. This includes interfacing with local schools to combat the general reluctance of school administration to engage with such students schooled in a non-standard system, and help towards defray schools fees and arrange amenities such as transport from the brick kilns to the mainstream schools. Presently, we have been able to enrol more than 50 students in mainstream schools in Kanpur.

Vocational Training and all round development

• Training: Besides studies, other activities such as drawing, painting, music, dance and play-acting are regularly held for the children. As part of vocational training to senior students, activities such as fabric painting, tiles painting, artificial jewellery making, embroidery and tailoring are carried out in various centres during the months of May and June.  There is an appreciable demand for the products made by these students.

• Dialogue and Counseling: Regular meetings are held with the children's parents and other labourers, on issues such as education of children, personal and community hygiene and awareness regarding minimum wages.

• Distribution of study materials: Understanding that even basic necessities are hard to come by, in these communities, we provide school uniforms, winter clothes and all study materials, including sitting mats, books and stationery. 

Health Care and Nutrition

• Immunization and Health Care: We undertake regular immunization and vaccination programmes, arrange for periodic counselling and generally provide constant medical supervision. Several of them suffer from chronic illnesses and we arrange for treatment using local hospital resources. Distribution of Vitamin A, B, C tablets, roundworm and tapeworm tablets are undertaken on a regular basis apart from having first aid boxes at every centre.

• Mid-day Meal Programme: Children at all the Apna Skool Centres are provided with nutritious and hot meals every day. Their meals include rice and vegetables, lentils (both baked and sprouted), fruits and Kheer (once a week). The mid-day meal scheme is currently being funded by a generous grant from the Mala Foundation, Belgium.

Teacher Training

Every year a week-long workshop is held for the overall development of teachers. Regular attendees to this workshop include other experts in the field of alternative educational strategies across NGOs in India, as well as local institutions such as professors and students from IIT-Kanpur. Monthly meetings with the teachers from all centres as well as some IIT-Kanpur professors and students help maintain an active dialogue on improving teaching techniques, the status of each centre, and other relevant information so progress may be adequately monitored.