Background and Context

The Foundation has done significant work in the field of education for 11 years. It has collaborated with the government in different States of India with programs in curriculum, pedagogy, assessment, school management, teacher education, it has run two schools for the children of migrant labour and has worked with the community. Further, it is committed to expanding its role in Education along with allied Development domains adding new dimensions to its vision.

Two basic implementation frameworks that follow this vision are: First, the strategy of creating new talent and transformation of talent already working in the field (government and non-government) with the Azim Premji University and State & District Institutes. Second, creation of pressure and strong demand for high quality education with Azim Premji State & District Institutes, Institute for Assessment and Accreditation, Communication and Engagement (with stakeholders) Networking of Partners.

It is in this context, that a limited number of demonstration schools are being established for the specific and limited purposes of providing learning spaces for the University, the Institute for Assessment and Accreditation (IAA), State and District Institutes and supporting specific elements of the Foundation’s strategy and as “exemplars” in those specific areas.

Demonstration Schools

Demonstration schools will provide good quality education at costs and constraints similar to that of rural government schools. Apart from providing learning spaces for other Foundation Units, demonstration of good quality education at reasonable cost and with the presence of external influencing factors will contribute to groundswell of demand for quality.

Our Demonstration Schools will provide the opportunity to strengthen the theory practice linkage. It will give a purpose to experiment, to plan, implement and tackle some core issues or problems that mark our education system, all in the context of larger challenges that India faces. It will enrich the learning of the Foundation on School Education.

As a part of the overall vision and strategy, the schools together with the other units of the Foundation will have a large impact in social, economic front and contribute in realizing the vision of the Foundation towards a just, equitable, humane and sustainable society.

Our first set of schools will be located where our District Institutes are - Dhamtari, (Chhattisgarh), Uttarkashi and Uddhamsinghnagar (Uttarakhand), Yadgir (Karnataka), Sirohi and Tonk (Rajasthan).

What Makes Our Schools Different

The Constitution along with the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, National Policy of Education, State Policies, National Curriculum Framework; Azim Premji Foundation and its vision, values, strategies, research and thought will guide the School all through the way from conceptualizing ideas to planning and implementing frameworks.

Our schools will reflect the understanding of the importance of education as one of the most powerful vehicles of social transformation. Education, especially in this context is seen as a process of human interaction and not just as a set of techniques.

An environment of opportunities, respect and dignity will be given to all in the school and will be reflected in policies, working conditions, school culture and practice. There will be care, tolerance and sensitivity for diversities - dialogue will be used to resolve conflicts or ongoing issues.

Academic Framework

The State Curriculum will be followed with a variety of resources for enriching learning experience. The Curriculum will allow children to develop an interest in and understanding of the world around them, nurture the ability to analyze, reflect and communicate, build capacity for caring relationships, appreciation of arts and aesthetics, build life skills, attitude and responsibility towards work and facilitate livelihood in future. An integrated approach will ensure that all forms of knowledge, perspective, and values have an equal place.

The Pedagogy will be learner centered enabling conceptual clarity with active learning process. Children will be encouraged to think, ask questions and explore, discuss issues, problems, share experiences, make choices and develop courage to think differently.

Support will be provided to every child to learn and pursue knowledge at one’s own pace; interest, capabilities and learning styles. This flexibility will be structured considering realities of the existing educational system along with regular assessment measures to map effectiveness and achievement. 

The methods used for assessment would be learner friendly encouraging students to assess themselves, to determine the achievement of curricular objectives, track the progress of child in different areas of learning over time, identify areas where support is required, provide feedback to learners and encourage sense of accomplishment

Strict guidelines will ensure that there is no use of fear as it is detrimental to learning, memorization will not be the primary form of learning or assessment, assessment will not become an intimidating process that involves the labeling and segregation of students, children will not be treated as passive receivers of information and school processes will not lead to boredom and monotonous routines and rituals.

Physical environment, architecture and infrastructure of school along with materials, resources, will be committed to quality in learning, safety, security, comfort and care to all children to learn, grow and develop with equal concern for sustainability. There will be provisions for safe drinking water; separate, clean and functional toilets for boys and girls. Meals will be provided to all children based on their nutritional requirements.

Medium of instruction will be local /state language at primary level and English will be gradually introduced at subsequent stages.

The emphasis will be on doing the basics well like learning to read and write; and ensuring that children are not only enrolled but retained well, attend school regularly, learn and complete school.