Beyond the classroom

The answers and options given by the students were not only shocking but also mirrored the sentiments of the society they live in. Sample these: Student 1 – The girl is responsible for all this; student 2 – She should abort the baby; Student 3 – The girl should marry the boy; student 3 – She should commit suicide; student 4 – She should marry another guy who is ready to accept her with her kid.

The facilitator is not allowed to respond and dictate what is right and wrong in such an interaction. Instead,the answers help him/her study the thoughts of the students. Later,the same are discussed in detail and the consequence of each action is explained in a friendly manner. All this comes under the Life Skills Orientation (LSO) project for the standard IX students,which focuses on critical thinking and decision-making. Situated in the Baner-Aundh area at the Orchid School,the LSO project is given as much importance as the other subjects. With a dedicated hour per week,LSO is a part of the syllabus and has found a defined place in the time-table of students from classes V to IX. “When it comes to dealing with the problems and choices of practical life,you will not find a set answer in Mathematics and Science. The LSO prepares the child for bigger practical challenges of life,” says Lakshmi Kumar,director of The Orchid School.

Some of the topics covered under LSO for Std V are — Adolescence-Role Play: talking about changes taking place in adolescence; Self Esteem—Coping with Stress – especially related to being teased; Coping with Anger; How Mental Health defines Physical health—Nutrition,teasing,bullying and so on. LSO topics differ from class to class,depending on the age and requirements of the students. For example,the students of Std VIII are briefed about drugs,their effects and other related information. There are interesting games and presentations that make the students understand the connection between any action and their consequences.

The LSO sessions cover other aspects like self awareness,critical thinking,problem solving,decision making,coping with stress,interpersonal relationships,team work and so on too. “Apart from these interactive sessions,we also organise field trips at regular intervals to different social organisations. Like last week some of the students visited Society of Friends of the Sassoon Hospitals (SOFOSH). The idea is to bring them closer to reality,which is not possible to do in comfortable,air-conditioned classrooms,” says Kumar. Besides SOFOSH,the Orchid students have till now visited organisations like Bhartiya Samaj Seva Kendra (BSSK),Sahara Aalhad,Manavya and Muktangan.

Dr Vaishali Biniwale,a parent,whose son is studying in Std IX,is impressed with the project. “Whether it is drugs,pre-marital sex and other such topics,most parents are not comfortable discussing them with their children. These lectures and trips act as bridges if the parent and the children want to talk about these things,” said Biniwale.

In the pipeline is the screening of the film Philadelphia ,which will be shown to the standard IX students as well as their parents. “Gradually,everyone is realising that these issues cannot be pushed under the carpet for long,” says Kumar.