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These
words are from the students and teachers of Sarnath Alice Project
school.
The
students are aged between 8 and 12. They describe their day thier
very own words and in English, their second language.
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"Today
I get up at 5 o'clock. First I look my hands. Next I do Gaitri Mantra
three times and Om Namah Shiva five times. After that I put hands
on my eyes. I get up, take bath and put on uniform. For breakfast
I take bread and tea. Then I come to school and put bag in class."
Manoj
Kumar (13)
Today
I get up at 5 and I touch god leg. I go to bath room. I smile to
my mother and eat food. I ask my mother where is my bag. I come
to school.
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"We
put our bag in classroom and play Chungi" (see below).
This
is a picture of our school from the front. It is painted terracotta
red, and is surrounded by bamboo and fields.
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| Our
school gate |
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| When
we come to school, we clean the garden, the courtyard and the classrooms.
We have bins for different types of waste material, and try to recycle
as much as possible. The compost we use in the garden, the plastic
is sold to plastic recyclers. |
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The
school day starts with school assembly in front of the stupa. We
say some prayers, sing the national anthem and end with meditation.
"At
7.30 we say prayers. Vah shakti hume do dayanide - God give me power
to do my work. We sing with meditation."
Kumari
Nitu Ray (9)
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The
top two classes start the day at 7.00 with yoga on the roof with
Arun.
"Yoga
is not just physical, but also for mental and spiritual growth.
We learn the mantras to go with the asanas and awareness, following
the body chakra's. I teach vipassana meditation to all students."
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| Our
classrooms are upstairs and downstairs, all looking out into the courtyard
centered by a large stupa. |
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We
have mathematics with Mr Mishra. Here is what he says about teaching
at this school.
'This
school is different from other government schools where classes
are big, time is scarce, and learning is often by rote. Here at
Alice Project School, I teach mathematics. I teach more by reasoning
and less by memorising, giving time for questions and answers.
As well as the government syllabus I teach:
1. techniques for mental calculation
2. logical questioning
3. memory and concentration enhancing exercises
4. mental games
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Science
with Mr Pramode Panday
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Hindi
and Special Project with Awaneesh
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Sanskrit
with Dr Nand lal Shukla.
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English
with Akla
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History,
Geography, Tabula and Harmonium with Mrs Sharma. .
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"At
breaktime we play Chungi. Chungi is a game with a ball made out
of bicycle rubber. The maximum score in our school is by Gopal.
In our class Amit Kumar has a score of around 250-300.
Derhbhakt
Chauhan (10
"I
go to lunch. I eat bread. Then I play Chungi. Often we go to a field
we all sing together."
Renu
Ray (10)
"At
breaktime I go my home and eat food such as rice dal and chapati.
Then I play Chungi."
Manoj
Kumar (13)
"At
break time I go home and eat food. I eat tiffin. I go to market
and buy chocolate. Then I play chungi and cabaddi (like touch and
catch)"
Kumari
Nitu Ray (9)
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| After
break everyday we sing. When she she is hear, Luigina leads us; we
sing in many languages: Hindi, English, Italian, Taiwanese, Japanese,
and and even one song in Chinese. |
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| Singing
with Luigina and Dr Nilam Verma. |
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In
the afternoon there is karate or other local martial arts for any
student who wants to learn.
Some
students come back to school for afternoon lessons.
Mrs
Sharma sometimes teaches working women basic skills, and she teaches
some of us how to play tabala.
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"When
I go home I clean my home. I go in my field and I dig. I give water
and I come home. I look tv, eat some food and I go to sleep."
Pradeep
Verma (12)
"I
come to my home. I see my mother and buy food. I am very happy.
I go to pumping machine (hand pump for water) and bath and wash
my clothes. I make food and eat food. My family eat food. I go to
my Uncle house. I do some work. I go to bed at 10 o clock"
Sony
Patel (10)
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In
the evening we sometimes bake a pizza in our special Italian pizza
oven.
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Evening
classes are given by students and teachers alike. Working children
and women come and learn basic literacy as well as drama.
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"After
I eat food I go to bed and I see one dream. In my dream I am a doctor
and I am very rich man. I come to my home. Then my eyes open and
I think I am asleep".
Vikar
Pal (8)
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What's
special about our school? Answers from Class 4
(aged 7-9)......
''In
our school we have a garden.''
''In the classrooms we have fans.''
''Some
children stay here.''
''Here there is a buddha stupa and a television.''
''In this school principal Valentino and another school no like
Valentino''.
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