An Alternative Holistic Approach to Education

To introduce the idea of holistic development and implementing them in the classroom knowing each students’ context and experiences, Integrated Pedagogical Paradigm (IPP) was introduced to teachers as a method which focuses on the holistic development of children rather than only focusing on the book and knowledge based approach. On 27th December, 21 teachers were invited from government schools of Sindhupalchowk and Dhading to NJSI office, Bakhundole to expose them to different teaching methods that can be fruitful in teaching and learning approach.

It was a two day long program facilitated by well experienced teachers of St. Xavier’s School, Jawalakhel. Day one focused on briefing the flow of teaching and learning: Context, Experience, Reflection, Action and Evaluation and techniques of making lesson plan. The session incorporated different group activities, reflecting on songs and metaphorical stories and applying them as a teacher.  Day 2 dealt with topics such as: Multi intelligence theory, Learning and Teaching styles, Understanding adolescents and Non-violent communication.

Teachers seemed happy with the training and were enthusiast throughout the program. Both the presenters as well as the participants indulged in interactive conversation. Teachers gave a positive feedback on content of the program and the overall management. Most of them also mentioned in the feedback that they found the program effective and would want to participate in more of these training. IPP as a whole was a new approach to education for many teachers, so they tried their best to grasp it and are looking forward to implement them in their school and classes.

 

UNVEILING WOMEN CENTER TO PROPAGATE IDEAS

4 members from NJSI went to Mahadevdanda, Godawari to handover the women center to Bisankhunarayan Bahuudeshya Mahila Biakash Sahakari Sanstha women group on 28th December, 2018. Mayor, Ward chairman, section officer for Women and children’s department along with 60 members of women group were present on inauguration and handover ceremony.

The ceremony started at 12 and lasted for an hour keeping the program precise. The women group managed everything properly and was able to invite all the concerned authorities including those who supported continuously and the stakeholders of the program along with all the beneficiaries of women center for the inauguration program. Speeches, reading of financial statement by women group and social audit were the activities followed. At last the key of women center was handed over to chairperson of that group. Snacks, tea and group photo marked the end of the ceremony.

The women of that group is very active and hardworking. From inviting guests to concluding the program everything managed themselves. They delivered financial statement of the women center in front of everyone which was quite interesting and unique. All the participants present there were very happy to get a women hall that they can count of their own. They expressed their gratitude in their speeches and personally too. The ceremony was successfully conducted.

Celebrating Christmas with Angels of Social Service Center and Aruna Bhawan

Every year Christmas is celebrated commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 25 as a religious and cultural celebration among billions of people around the world. Nepal Jesuit Social Institute planned to celebrate the occasion by inviting special children from Social Service Center and Aruna Bhawan. On Christmas eve, short and full of entertainment program was conducted for the children.

The day started with decoration of Christmas tree and Crib. The special children performed carol and received gift from NJSI. They also danced and sang song. A special surprise for our Director of NJSI was planned and soon after carol, team celebrated his birthday by cutting cake. Later, children watched some dance videos until the food was ready. Finally everyone enjoyed delicious food and the celebration was over.

The children were very happy and dancing all around. These charming angels made the day more special. Each of us enjoyed the day to the fullest as it was a double celebration. Smile was constant. It was a beautiful day indeed.

Handing over the spacious learning classrooms to Shree Mahendra Ratna Basic School

Shree Mahendra Ratna Basic School is located at Gangajamuna rural municipality ward no. 7, Budhathum, Dhading. After massive earthquake, school was destructed and students had to study in a Temporary Learning Center. After evaluating needs of the school, NJSI made 4 classroom building and provided well-furnished furniture to the school.

On 21st December, 2018 team of NJSI went to the site for handover ceremony. The program took place in the presence of Chairman of the ward, Mr. Menn Adhikari and a representative from education and sports ministry, Mr. Babu Krishna Shrestha. It was long yet successful program followed by unique song dance and parade by students. Social audit was also done on the occasion of handover ceremony among all the beneficiaries.

Everyone was satisfied by the construction of the building. Pitam Dahal, teacher of the school stated that the students were facing difficulty in Temporary Learning Center (TLC) as they were staying in a very congested manner and weather wise also it was not favorable to the students. They were happy and grateful towards NJSI for constructing a well-furnished building.

Need Assessment at Sindhupalchowk: A Step to better education

Nepal Jesuit Social Institute has always taken education as a major tool to create a better society and has been working to enhance the quality of education in the rural communities by constructing school buildings and providing necessary educational materials. A need assessment is done before providing the materials. On 27th October 2018, NJSI team went to Shree Saraswati Secondary School and Janachetana Basic School of Sindhupalchowk district to know the gap between current conditions and desired conditions as a need assessment. In Shree Saraswati Secondary School, classes run from Nursery to ten with 180 students and in Janachetana Basic School classes are from ECD to 3rd standard with 31 students.

The need assessment started with an interview with Gyanendra Kumar Nepal, Principal of Shree Saraswati Secondary School. The interview helped to know more about the school and rank their necessity. Interaction with students were also done which helped in analyzing the condition of the school as well as students. After that, the team went for second assessment at Janachetana Basic School. There also the principal of the school, Deuti Neupane was interviewed.

Everyone especially the students were open to interact and answer. The principals of both the schools including the staffs and students were grateful to NJSI for providing a hope to the betterment of the school. The hope for the support in future made the school motivated to progress in their education.

A New Place to call Home: Handover ceremony of Azad Hostel for special children

Azad Secondary School is located at Banepa, Kavre in which 10 students from Sanjeevani School for Deaf and Dumb reside at a small room which is partitioned into four sections consisting kitchen with a small dining table and 3 rooms, cramped with beds and boxes of the students in which they barely had space to stay and study properly. A new hostel with larger room and studying area was built by NJSI.

On 14th of December 2018, an official handover ceremony of the hostel in the presence of the beneficiary students, their parents, Azad school students, and govt. officials and teaching staff was conducted. The event continued with speeches from the chairperson of the program, SMC chairperson, Mayor, Fr. Roy, Fr. Arul, the Principal and a guardian. One of the student also expressed vote of thanks using sign language which was pretty impressive. At last the mayor cut the ribbon and NJSI handed over the keys to the school management committee. The best part of the event was two deaf children dancing on an audible song. They learnt the dance step using sign language.

The Students were very happy to have a new hostel and so were the teachers. In their previous hostel, they did not have a good place. They barely had space to move around. But now, after getting a new huge space to live and perform their daily activities, they promised that they will take care of it. Even all the guests who visited the hostel shared their appreciative words towards NJSI.