ST. SEBASTIAN'S SCHOOL

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DEWDROPS High School at Lake Gardens recently held its annual exhibition that showcased a strong grasp of its students on subjects ranging from science, geography, biology to moral science and global current affairs. The exhibition was put together through a plethora of innovative models, charts and educational tools. Students between class I and VIII described systems of the water cycle, the solar system, land forms and the earth's surface in sure shot sound bytes. The school's Principal, Sonali Majumdar, said: "An important part of education is the overall development of a student's personality, confidence and a keen sense of responsibility. These qualities get enhanced when given exposure through such events that, in essence, is a reiteration of whatever they learn in class."
The school follows the rare method of learning under which children up to class V are exempt from examinations. This keeps both the children and their parents free of the exam phobia that today comes as a package along with school education. In fact, no books are prescribed for students up to class III and the syllabus is followed through a series of project work in groups. While it ensures full participation of each student, it teaches them team work and interaction in a healthy competitive atmosphere. "We give them study material to work with and, as a result, they get enough time to consolidate their learning. We hope this way they will retain their school education throughout life," said Majumdar, adding: "Under our integrated system we have one special child in each class. It is essential for children with Downs syndrome, Autism and also slow learners to interact with normal children in a normal atmosphere." Teachers who are assigned to handle them undergo special counselling and mental preparation by the Principal who has qualified from The Rehabilitation Council of India.
Extracurricular activities are an integral part of the school syllabus. Other than sports, children regularly participate in inter school quizzes, debates and cultural events, and have brought home well deserved trophies like those for a quiz, fancy dress and painting competitions. There are two in-house clubs for children to chose from :
- the News Views Club presents students the opportunity to make their own weekly and monthly news bulletins. Each group or "house" gets turn to read out the bulletin, and at the same time, contribute essays and poems in "Spectrum," the school news paper. The Green Club is involved in nature activities like planting saplings in the neighbourhood and getting to know more about nature. In a shift from other traditional institutions, Dewdrops encourages philanthropic activities amongst its wards. It actively supports the Bengal Harmony Welfare Mission, a registered NGO that works amongst street children, destitute women and sex workers in a North Calcutta slum. Students periodically collect old clothes, books, toys and medicines for distribution to the beneficiaries. They also help out with the free medical camps held regularly in the area.
Exchange program with students of Welhams school, Dehradun, is scheduled to be introduced shortly. Further, arrangements are made with the Doon Adventure Club (Dehradun) for lessons in trekking, rock climbing, camping and similar outdoor adventure sports for senior classes.
Indeed, considering the crying need for more good schools in the city, particularly those that uphold the fundamental right to education, this School seems to have come a long way in achieving its goal. The credit is doubly deserving as it claims to have achieved the same without any financial help from any quarter. The essential requirement of finances, though, remains a bare fact with any growing project. The school is worth a second glance for those patrons who are committed to the cause of quality education.

- Nitasha Guha

(ECONOMIC TIMES)

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Statesman News Service - KOLKATA, May 11: A child with impaired hearing who ranked 18th in the Higher Secondary examination, earned a BTech degree from Jadavpur University and is presently working as an executive, courtesy Dewdrops Montessori House.
Ronit Chakraborty (23), enrolled with Dewdrops at the age of three. His physical disability came to light when the child was taken to speech therapist, Dr. Babul Basu. Special educator Ms. Sonali Majumder of Our Astitwa treated him and within a few months, with the help of her therapy, he was able to speak fluently. Ronit joined Jadavpur Boys' School in Class V.
Our Astitwa is an NGO that works in association with Dewdrops Montessori School and St. Sebastian's School to help specially challenged children and slow learners join mainstream society. It works as a resource centre and trains children to develop skills they are lacking in . Ms. Majumdar, founder director of the NGO, was given the Educationist and Social Activist Award by ECOLES De La TERRE, Switzerland, a year ago.