Bangalore School Tours

It was so exciting to finally visit some local schools!  First, we went to a primary school (grades 1 through 4).  As we walked in the front gate, we heard a lovely musical performance by the school band.  The students began their day with a morning routine in the school yard that included warm-ups, marching, singing, praying, and reading the newspaper headlines in English and Kannada (their local language).  In the Principal's office, a young boy placed roses on the tops of all the pictures of India's important leaders.  They also had a shrine dedicated to Saraswati - the Hindu goddess of learning.  She stands for wisdom, fortune, intelligence, nourishment, brilliance, and contentment.  So in case you are ever looking for a brilliant idea...now you know who can help!

   

 

Saraswati and other Hindu Gods

Honoring India's past leaders

Morning Prayer

Since this is considered a government school, students are provided with free uniforms, textbooks and all writing tools and school resources.  This is all provided by the local government.  Some classes were taught in English and also in Kannada.  The kids were so engaged and eager to learn!

 


3rd Grade Language Study

1st Grade Block Building

  

 We then spent the second half of our day at a high school, which was also a government school.  I had the chance to check out a 10th grade geometry lesson.  Even though the lesson was taught in another language, it was clear that the students were learning.  They took detailed notes and answered correctly when called upon.  Also, the whole class stood up when I walked in the door.  There is a lot of respect shown to teachers by the students.

Girls doing math - yay!

Later, our group discussed the four main issues facing the Indian education system today. They are: 1) Outdated and rigid curriculum 2) Test fixation 3) Lack of vocational training set-up 4) Challenges with finding quality teachers and good teaching practices.  Number 2 sounds very familiar!

On our second day of school tours, we visited Citizens High School - a low-fee private school for grades Pre-K - 4 and then its sister high school of grades 5-10.  Their principal, Mr. Khan, was able to share with us his philosophy and desire to shift his school to a more student-centered approach to learning.  He also hoped to see more inquiry and student participation.  I was able to participate in a science and math lesson.  Students were all eager, motivated to learn, and expressed that they really liked their teachers!!


Citizens High School

 

Principal Khan and our group

  

Science lesson

Happy faces!



Project Work

 
 It was so amazing to see all the great learning going on and I got the sense that the students really enjoyed being in school.  As I was watching students take notes and as I was glancing at their poster work, I wondered about "rigor" and what it means for students in these schools.  I'm not a big fan of educational buzz words, but my essential question for this trip has to do with the levels of rigor needed to prepare students to be the best citizens and be ready for 21st century careers.  So I'd love to explore the idea more and see what that looks like for other Indian schools by observing and talking with more teachers, administrators, and students.

Now I am off to Ahmedabad tomorrow for Part 2 of the trip!  I can't wait to get to Delhi High School where I will spend 10 days being a part of their school community.