Visit to Shastry Memorial School and Dr. Narendar Pani Views on India

This morning (June 10) we visited a private school called Shastry Memorial English School. The school was very different in appearance from the school yesterday. The multi-level tiers with classrooms opened to a central open-air courtyard with trees and fresh air. When we arrived the students were performing their morning routine, which consisted of regimented stretching exercises coordinated by the amplified dictation of the physical education teacher. We met with the director of the school and learned that he had originally attended college to become an engineer, but was swayed toward education by his mother who established the school. He seems to have found his calling at Shastry Memorial School and appears to genuinely care about the students and the school’s success. This scenario reminds me that often one finds their calling on an alternate pathway, and education benefits from their prior journeys.

We observed several lessons in crowded, forward-facing rigid classrooms that confine the teacher to a platform similar to a stage in the front of the room. This type of room structure is very different from that in the United States. At home we arrange desks into groups and provide walkways for teachers to peer over shoulders and answer individual questions. Most of the instruction appears to be teacher centered with directed closed questioning. Repetitive chanting is also an apparent learning strategy and used frequently.

Out of the classroom there was apparent movement with children scampering behind one another in make shift lines. The spacious school grounds allowed for outdoor play (1 slide and 1 seated merry go round), and field games. We watched students along with some of TGC group teachers play an indigenous game that resembled a type of organized tag. As we watched we were served coconut milk from fresh coconuts.

We returned to the hotel and later listened to Dr. Narendar Pani, professor at NIAS, presentation, Identifying with India-An Overview of its Politics, Culture, & Economics. The complexity of the issues India faces can be overwhelming, but many are similar to those we see in the United States. The discussion left me pondering on the influence and role of global markets and education in finding solutions.