By Dr. Pragnya Ram
Group Executive President
Corporate Communications

Rachit, Vatsal, Rohan, Nimit, Rahul, Vishal, Vansh and Harshvardhan echo similar sentiments. At the end of two days, you find almost every one of these prancing, dancing, studying, hogging kids singing the same tune.

"The Academy," avers Mr. Birla,"is fortunate to have a team of committed, passionate teachers and staff members, who, I have no doubt, will bring to bear great intellectual and emotional commitment to their responsibilities. I am confident that the Academy will more than meet the expectations of parents in moulding their child into a complete person."

Experiential learning is premised on what you actually go through. It allows you to test what you have been taught. Step back for a while to the way you studied. The teachers, whom you still remember affectionately, are invariably those who encouraged you to question things and not to accept everything in blind obedience or faith. Every time when what you were taught actually matched what you experienced, you felt a sense of discovery. You felt a sense of real knowledge.

"We want our children at the SBA to sense such magical moments. We want them to go on a voyage of exploration in the learning process. We want to stoke their curiosity," states Mrs. Birla, pensively.

Magical moments
Here is an example of how actually this is practised, however simple it may seem.

Very recently, the School went on a trek. All of the 130 boys and the 20 teachers. "The trek was designed in such a way that it would not only provide a sense of adventure, but actually leave the children with an important thought.

We chose the inspiring Kottagiri hills, cupped amidst Ooty's tea gardens. We trekked joyfully for kilometers, and the climb provided the stretch. The boys had never been here before. So they were 'wonder-struck'.

"After the hills, we camped at the 'sholas' — an astonishing forest range in the Nilgiris. We unravelled the marvels of nature, the rich flora and fauna before the students. You have circles of trees and these amazingly trap the water-streams. With this spectacular visual, to comprehend as a backdrop, we let the children experience nature at work. They also understood the fragility of the eco-systems, the need to be environmentally conscious. "No amount of classroom teaching can ever substitute for this kind of 'real knowledge'. In our hearts we know, that this message will stay with them for a long, long time," mentions Mr. Pande, who masterminded the trek. The children were totally inspired and touched.

The inspiration
To find new ways to empower children through quality education at our Academy, we invite achievers to mingle with them, to spark their dreams. Among the men and women of distinction who have graced our School in the first term (June through 30 September) were: Prof. Arvind Kumar, Director, The Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education; Mr. Derek O'Brien; Ms. Ashwini Nachappa; Little Ajay Puri; Mr. Syed Kirmani; Mr. Krishna Bhupati and his son, Mahesh.

Prof. Arvind Kumar, who spearheads the maths, science and similar olympiads at the national and international level, spent time in every class. "Sir made me feel that maths, physics and chemistry is really easy. I only have to work a little harder to get 100 on 100," gushes Aman Jain, a class topper.

Mr. Derek O'Brien conducted a quiz in this own inimitable style. He chose to test their 'news quotient'. They laughed their way, ducking most questions. Then Derek changed tracks and asked questions that they could respond. But the important take here is that every child now spends some time every day reading the newspaper. In every room there is a Times of India, enticing them to tread the world around them.

Ms. Ashwini Nachappa fuelled their competitive spirit, highlighted mental rigor and discipline to get into the winning mode. But then she also said, you win some, you lose some. Life's like that. The key is to always be positive and keep your spirits high.

Mr. Syed Kirmani took the students to their 'very impressive' cricket field. For over two hours, together they had a ball. He, in the breezy afternoon sun teaching them techniques of batting, bowling and wicket keeping. The children, lapping every move of his.

A little aside — some very heartening news on the cricket front — is that three of our students, Abir Das, Harshvardhan Kedia and Vinay Sridhar — from the eighth standard have been chosen to represent the Karnataka State (under 14) Cricket Team. They leave on 10 September to Sri Lanka for their first journey. "This is a feather in our School's cap and we are thrilled that in our very first year, we made it," remarks Dr. Robinson.

Eight-year-old Ajay, son of Mr. Ravi Puri of Century Textiles, Thailand, is a computer wizard. He has a string of national and international awards for mastering the machine, creating infinite possibilities of harnessing the computer's multiple applications. In Mumbai, Ajay met with our Chairman, who felt it was a great idea to have him over at our School. The students looked at him in both awe and admiration. Ajay proved one point — there are no limits to imagination: the mind is the only barrier.

Mr. Krishna Bhupati and his son, Mahesh, the famous tennis player, harped on the father-son relationship, apart from their games. In a nostalgic mood, Mahesh's father fondly remembered how his son toiled to reach the top. How his dream of becoming a world-class tennis player fructified. The slog continues. "Mahesh," adds Mr. Pande, "also played some knocks with our boys on the soccer field. Interestingly, the entire session was held on the field, with everyone squatting under the coconut palms."

These learning events have been extremely enjoyable. They generate a positive attitude among the students. Every speaker shares both his or her success and what it takes to reach the peak from the valley, which is what the experiential process is about.

For most of the teachers here, this is a calling not a vocation. This bodes well, falling in line as it does with our School philosophy. Teachers, in Mr. Birla's vision, have to play multiple roles — that of "role models, surrogate parents and counsellors". Given this, teachers and the taught have already developed a symbiotic relationship that transcends academics. The students then become a part of the extended family. Like in a traditional joint family, coming into our Academy marks his entry into a far larger family. Very simply put, one can say that he has moved into a joint family.

"Everyone plays a role in the development of the child," say Dr. Robinson and Mr. Pande. "Teachers have a genuine warmth and a sense of caring for the children at our School and each one endeavours hard to be a friend, philosopher and guide. So literally, we have created a home away from home," conclude Dr. Robinson and Mr. Pande.

One must add that for most of the parents, the Sarala Birla Academy is a happy discovery. As a parent terms it so well, "Serendipity is what you get at the SBA. Expect the unexpected."
Dr. Pragnya Ram