Schools & Educational Centres
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Schools started for children of Aurovilians and newcomers:
TRANSITION SCHOOL
Transition School is a primary and middle school that serves the Auroville community since 1984. Inspired by the teachings of Sri Aurobindo and the Mother, the school aims to promote human unity, and to help our children to develop integrally so that they may reach their full potential. Our programme initiates what will hopefully be a life-long process of individual development towards a balance of body, mind, and spirit. Here, children from different cultural and ethnic backgrounds grow together in an atmosphere of protected freedom and harmony, developing an understanding that we are citizens of one world. Our deepest aspiration is to prepare our children and ourselves to live in a higher consciousness to manifest a truer and higher life on earth.
Future School evolved from an earlier project called The Centre for Further Learning (CFL), created by two of Auroville's youth, Chali and Luc. They had been raised in Auroville and later had very different experiences with their higher secondary education: Luc stayed in Auroville and sat for his 10th Standard through the Indian Open School, followed by completing his A-levels through independent study; while Chali received her high school and university diplomas in the U.S.
At the time of the conception of the idea of CFL, there were at least 25 teen-agers studying in schools outside of AV. Luc and Chali believed that Auroville could not continue the search for a new Auroville-based curriculum or approach to education, without the presence and input of the age group who would be most affected. In addition, they realised that the present generation of children growing up in Auroville either came here with parents or were born here, and did not necessarily make a conscious choice of living in Auroville. Due to the reality of the world outside of Auroville, all the youth of Auroville should have the possibility and choice to equip themselves within Auroville, with the keys they will need to open doors anywhere in the world.
Located near Aspiration community, Last School is a middle/high school which has existed in Auroville since the year 1985. Students are in the age group 12 (sometimes younger) to 18 years and above. The school is open 5 days a week from Monday to Friday, during which students are required to maintain a full timetable. They are also expected to follow some physical education activity after class on all school days.
Education is based on the method that the Mother called 'Free Progress'. The spirit of this approach demands that the school organisation and programmes be as diverse and supple as possible to remain plastic enough to respond to each student's line of progress. The main object of this method is to help the adolescent find that part of himself that can then take up his own education. Last School's educational process wants to develop the students' faculties of the mind, the powers of the will, the refinement of the aesthetic and emotional being, and build all of this upon a strong and balanced physical being. There is an attempt to address each of these elements of the youth's psychological nature as consciously as possible. The teacher's task is to suggest, not impose, and a broad process of consultation is fundamental to the school's approach.
The programme available covers languages (the 4 mentioned by Mother to Auroville, plus others); literature and poetry; the pure sciences and mathematics; the social sciences (history, geography, economics, philosophy); and the arts - on which there is a special insistence and considerable interest among the students.
The students need to be self motivated, and can - if they wish - be involved in the decision-making process and changes affecting the school, since their opinion and feedback is very much respected.
Super School
Since some years there has been discussion on the next steps beyond high school level education. It was concluded that the name 'Super School' which is part of Mother's list of four names lent itself very well to the higher education component that had still to be created and which would then be the Aurovilian equivalent of college level study. Such a higher education programme has now been in existence from the past 2 years. It is at present situated in, and is partially a part of, the Last School free progress experience even though it has its own particular approach and identity.
It is at the super school stage that students are more and more linked to the larger collectivity through field trainings, apprenticeships and other work and study experiences which may be available through people and units of Auroville. The programme is still in a stage of exploration and all its elements have not yet fully emerged, but already it is seeding Auroville with new approaches to education as well as distributing within Auroville some unique learning-teaching material.
Super school is a school where the subjects are of the higher levels of human thought and action and are treated in a holistic manner. The programme is pursued at a 'super' level and at a 'super' or accelerated speed. The aim is to 'summarise' the human past so quickly that one can have all the energies to pursue the development of the future. This requires a great deal of 'schooling'. Super School prepares the being to enter into 'No School' which is the condition when the instrumental nature is fit to pursue on its own integral growth so as to create the four-fold personality spoken of by Sri Aurobindo: i.e. in the domains of wisdom, heroism, harmony, skill in works.
Schools started for children from local villagers
LIBRE PROGRES SCHOOL (New Creation)
True education has to unfold and reveal what is already present in the children; they open themselves in joy just like flowers open themselves to the sun.
New Creation participates in Auroville's unique and challenging experiment by prioritising the aspiration of those original inhabitants and their children who have lived on the piece of land which ultimately became Auroville. These first citizens of Auroville, the Tamil village population of about thirty thousand people, reside in pockets in and around Auroville.
Although Auroville has many active village development projects, the community of New Creation is the only one which is wholly committed to the multi-level development of village children. By creating a congenial, non-authoritarian atmosphere in which these village children can open themselves to an integral learning process, the teachers of New Creation hope that, one day, the children will become better equipped to fight against both the visible and invisible limitations that exist in their lives and the lives of others in their immediate surroundings.
Although New Creation fights a daily battle against meagre material resources to fund its activity (children attend the Kindergarten, school and the boarding programme free of cost), it firmly believes in nurturing and educating its one resource that will stand Auroville in good stead in the future.
Daily in the school the cheerful eager faces of children are to be seen everywhere. These children, between the ages of three and fifteen, need special care because they come from homes that are not able to provide them with the basic necessities of life. Plagued by the many problems associated with poverty, disease, hunger, exploitation and domestic violence, the village children admitted to New Creation School and community receive a much needed respite from the daily grind of their lives, and are offered a positive channel through which they are able to grow towards a higher and truer reality.
Visit the websites: French version | English version
KUYILAPALAYAM HIGHER SECONDARY SCHOOL
We are located in Tamil Nadu, which is and is administratively divided in 29 districts. The statistics for literacy [[1]] show our district of Villupuram (over 3 million people) near the bottom as 28th out of these 29. For boys a literacy percentage of 76 is given, for girls 53%; here it means that they can write their own names, not that they can all read books or newspapers. The dropout rate at age 12 is over 40%. In India education is always better in the towns and city’s and in private schools. In our rural village of Kuyilapalayam and its adjoining villages the education levels are very low. Parents had to spend a lot of money to send their children to the city of Pondicherry for real education; children were walking 20 km a day up and down. As the government claimed to be out of funds, the only solution was to start our own (private) school, Kuyilapalayam School (KST).
Highlighted achievements are:
• On 1st July 1993, Kuyilapalayam School was started with classes I, III and VI comprising 98 students and 4 teachers, with Tamil as the teaching language.
• 1995-96 was the beginning of the third year; the school was given Middle School recognition by the Tamil Nadu government, which was a significant achievement. KST counted 261 students and 11 teachers.
• With the commencement of the IX standard in the year 1996-97, Kuyilapalayam Middle School was officially upgraded to Kuyilapalayam High School. In this fourth subsequent year, the total number of students and teachers were 334 and 13 respectively.
• In May 2000 a parallel stream was started with English as the medium of instruction.
• In June 2001 a new branch of our school near Bommayarpalayam village was started. It is presently use for some of the lower classes. The whole school now counts 530 students. V.Gunaseelan is the main Aurovilian managing the school from now on.
• In January 2004 KST was upgraded to Higher Secondary School, recognized by the government of Tamil Nadu. The students, who are 18 years of age by now, study up to 12th standard. At this moment there is a pure science stream ready, with Tamil, English, Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry and Biology. These students have now reached the highest possible level of secondary education. One classroom has 5 computers now, for 40 students per group. There are 710 students.
• In 2007 one of our first students fully qualified as teacher and was appointed in her old school. We have over 1100 students studying here, with 39 teachers. We also got government permission be an exam center for the practical tests in the Sciences.
• In October 2007 our Bommayarplayam school campus was brought under the Auroville Foundation, in the Palayam School Trust. It had 276 students at that moment and was situated on Auroville land.
. In May 2008 we reached 1500 students total. Two of our ex-students graduated from an Engineering college with avarage 75% marks: they were first two female engineers in Edayanchavadi (and around). They were sponsored through our school.
Aikiyam School
What is the vision and Aim or central purpose of the school?
MISSION STATEMENT OF AIKIYAM SCHOOL
The school's mission is to provide an appropriate kindergarten, primary and intermediate education for children from Kuilapalayam and other villages which are geographically connected to Auroville, based on the principles of integral education as defined by the founders of Auroville, the Mother and Sri Aurobindo. The school strives to maintain a creative and joyful atmosphere, where the uniqueness of each child is respected and nurtured, and to prepare children for life in a rapidly changing world, while maintaining contact with their Tamil cultural heritage.
The school aims to provide a quality bilingual education in Tamil and English, covering all of the standard academic subjects, physical education, and a wide variety of vocational options, giving children a range of choices in the type of education they will pursue when leaving the school.
Aikiyam School is an Outreach day-school under the Sri Aurobindo Institute of International Educational Research (SAIIER) for more than 200 children, with classes which range from pre-kindergarten to the eighth grade. All tuition, educational supplies, nutritious snacks and mid-day meals are provided free of charge, although parents who can are encouraged to make donations. In April 2008 the school received provisional affiliation for a period of three years from India’s Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and is entitled to issue a recognised school leaving certificate.
How many students are there in the school? Age group ?
We have 211 students, age group between 3 years to 14 years. There is a big demand for getting admission in Aikiyam but the school can not have more than 20 students per class. To expand the school would require more teachers, more classrooms, more land and a different level of administration..
How many students do you take every year?
The school can admit 20 children per year to the crèche, and we have around 20 graduates per year from the 8th grade. Although we sometimes take new children in the upper grades, when there have been dropouts we prefer to admit children at an earlier age. Children who seek admission in later classes are usually dropouts from other schools where traditional rote methods are followed. Those children often struggle to fit into the system in Aikiyam where students learn through interaction and activities.
How many teachers are there? 26 teachers including all vocational trainers.
What is the medium of education? English is the main medium of instruction, but Tamil is used also.
What are the subjects / programmes offered? The school offers all basic academic subjects (Languages English, Tamil, elementary Hindi), Math, Science, Social science) as well as carpentry, tailoring, computer, clay work, drawing, dance, singing, needle work, gardening and tree planting
How is the school financed? Partly by Auroville and through donations from well wishers..
Who is heading the school / principal now?
The School Principal is Shankar, who runs the school with help of a Support Group comprised of Franca, Francoise, Janet, Suriyagandhi
Where is it located?
The school is located in New Creation Settlement, Auroville.
Under which Trust the school is functioning ?
SAIIER (Sri Aurobindo International Institute for Educational Research)
School Contact email / tel / address / Website / Facebook group etc
Postal address:
Aikiyam School,
New Creation Community,
Auroville, Tamil Nadu – 605 101,
India.
email: assg@auroville.org.in,
aikiyamschool@aurovill.,org.in
Telephone: 91 0413 2622358
Website: www.auroville.org/education/village_schools/aikiyam_school.htm
Is there a newsletter of the school? If yes name / subscription details.
Yes, the school sends out its newsletter thrice a year. One can write to the support group and get it through e-mail. If hard copy is preferred, the school can send to the person too.
Do you have Research and Development? If yes what is the specific field of research and your original contributions?
Yes, the teachers carry out educational researches through ‘class room micro projects’ which can be used as alternative educational methods in any rural schools.
How many Aurovilians are involved? How many are non Aurovilian staff ?
18 aurovilians and 19 non-Aurovilians (including teachers, office staff, ammas and gardener)
Brief history and development.
When was the school started? It all started in 1983 by André Tardeil, and his wife, Babu. In 1990 Roy Wicks arrived.and ran the school for about 12 years. Mike and Sue, British volunteers took care of the school for two years then. After them, Anna Bowers, a retired English school principal ran the school for a short time, but she later passed away.
In January 2005, when it became clear that Anna would not be able to return so soon, several long-time Aurovilians were requested by Auroville to look into the running of the school and a 'support group' of several long time Aurovilians was formed. Gradually one member of the support group, Shankar became more and more interested in the daily management of the school and eventually became the school's first Tamil principal.
In Future
The campus is being renewed; renovated and new buildings are being built. The aim of the school is to become a model school for rural educators.
In April 2008 the School became CBSE affiliated, meaning children no longer have to prepare for and write Tamil Nadu Stateboard exams, which are entirely based on rote learning.
Do you take volunteers / student interns?
Yes, we accept volunteers. Intern teaching students are accepted too by our teachers’ facilitator Francoise according to her availability of time.
How many at a time ?
six
Minimum duration?
one term(3 months)
Do you provide the following:
Food / School snacks and lunch. No dinner and breakfast
Accommodation
Yes, but the school needs to collect a minimum contribution (in order to pay the water and electricity bills and for maintenance). This amount will be decided according to volunteer’s situation.
Transportation
No.
Vocational training centres
KOLAM Computer Training center (New creation)
Kolam Computer Training Center is proud to present you his new learning program. Into a genius place called New creation Community, the center offer you a quiet area with all facilities, 7 pc with Windows/linux os and 5 Emac to complete the student program. Also, the center is used for workshops and conferences.
The main focus is the open source world, that means that we are using most of the free softwares availables on the internet, but we don't forget the other users. Well, you are interesting into computering and more, just contact us at the center and enjoy your passion.
Auroville Instititue of Applied Tehcnology (AIAT)
What is the vision or central purpose of the school?
AIAT is a not-for-profit vocational training institute serving students in the villages in the bioregion of Auroville (Villupuram District of Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry in South India).
AIAT educates youth through an integral interactive multidisciplinary approach which enables them to find a livelihood in the rural area itself.
The Vision of the Institute is in line with the UN’s Millennium Development Goals and is targeted at: Eradication of poverty and the socio-economic inequity among youth and families in disadvantaged coastal and rural communities of the Auroville Bioregion.
Raise employability of the youth of both genders and empower them to take part in the economic growth of India through skill training and personal development.
Encourage young women to enrol in skill training rather than stay at home through specially designed courses, scholarships and discounts in course fees.
How many students are there in the school?
1 & 2 year course enrollment = 70 students 6 month course enrollment = 90
Age group: 16 to 30 years.
How many students do you take every year?
Up to 200 students
How many teachers are there?
18 full time faculty
What is the medium of education?
Tamil and English
What programmes are offered?
AIAT offers National Council of Vocational Training (NCVT) approved two year Industrial Training in Civil Engineering, Electronics and Communication.
Tamil Nadu Govt. recognized one year Industrial School Training in; Secretarial Practice and Accounting, Computer Hardware and Software Maintenance, Data Processing and Computer Applications and General Electronics.
In addition to the Govt. Syllabus AIAT offers to all students courses in Spoken English, Communication, Social Responsibility, Health Care and HIV-Prevention, Yoga and Sports.
AIAT designed short term courses in cooperation with national and international organisations (Universities, Vocational Training Institutes, NGO’s) to meet the needs of business/ industry.
AIAT designed six month intensive courses for Below Poverty Level Students in Desk Top Publishing, Office Management and Accounting, Hardware and Networking, Basic Electronics for Home Appliances and others.
The AIAT Branch at Naddukupam in Marakakanam Block, offers Computer courses as well as courses in Modern Office Management conducted in cooperation with Pichandikulam Forest Group of Auroville.
How is the school financed?
Student tutition and private donation, Initial Investment Grant from the German Government and Indian Industries
Who is the principal/school head?
Lavkamad Chandra
Where is it located?
Thricurtamburam Koot Road
Under which Trust the school is functioning ?
Auroville Village Action Trust
School Contact email / tel / address / Website / Facebook group etc
office.ais@auroville.org.in 0413 267-1757 /1758 Irumbai • www. AIAT@org.in
Is there a newsletter of the school?
German language newsletter for donors.
How many Aurovilians are involved?
3
How many are non Aurovilian staff ?
22
When was the school started?
2004
Who started the school?
Aurovilians: Karin Latzke, Lavkamad Chandra
How did it change over the years?
Moved from a state government certified program to a national government certified program. Trend is from a computer oriented training to engineering oriented training.
What are the future plans?
Expand to 500 full time students in the engineering field as well as business management trades with a total of up to 1000 students when including short term training. To become a center of excellence in the engineering trades with focus on renewable and environment technology trades.
Do you take volunteers / student interns ?
Yes. Currently 1 part time volunteer who is a former Aurovilian and a group of students from the University of Iowa will come for 2 weeks. AIAT wants short term (2 weeks to 2 months) volunteers to conduct best practices in any of the current courses offered and 6 to 9 month volunteers to assist in the development of curriculum and instruction in course areas and for the marketing of the institute to donors and students.
How many at a time ?
4 volunteers
Minimum duration ?
2 weeks
Do you provide the following:• Food • Accommodation • Transportation ?
No
