Learning Facilities at Sneha School

While education was becoming a tool to earn a lot of money in the 1990s, Dr. Chandrashekhara Damle, a Sociology professor in a college, started thinking of establishing a Kannada medium primary school! There were two reasons behind it: Firstly, as he was teaching the college students, he realized that the foundational education was very poor among the college students and because of that, whatever the professors could actually teach and upskill the students was not happening! Secondly, he could also see the importance of providing education in the mother tongue to create a strong base for the children! He strongly believed that when a person gains knowledge in his or her own language, it is more relatable and hence would be easy to grasp, analyze and then articulate it further to apply elsewhere!

Open Amphi-theator: Bayalu Ranga Mandira:

The inner abilities of children are expressed through dance, songs, drama, skits, jokes, storytelling etc. The amphi-theater in the campus is a grand facility for the children to exhibit their talents. It is advantageous in multiple ways as the parents have comfortable sitting arrangement to watch the programs of their children. This stage is a real playing place for children where they shed out their stage fear.

Cultural learning is a real exploration of inner self of the children which may get exposed in the form of literature music, dance, painting, clay models, sculptures and so on. Sneha institutions give inspiration to the evolution and exposition of inner abilities rooted in children. We have a tradition of arranging programmes of great artists of national and international repute.

Art Home

“Art flowers the heart and mind” of everyone. In Sneha campus there is Art-Home where children enjoy being inspired by the various forms of art. It is built on rock art is deciphered in stone and wood. Children are given free access to watch and wander in the Art-home. Moreover, paintings and proverbs have decorated the walls of the school building.

Barahada Mane; Sand filled creative room.

A room of hexagonal structure is built around a living tree with full of sand inside for play. Young children run to this room with super enthusiasm and give vent to their imaginations using sand to build hillocks, roads, dams, canals, caves, cakes, idlis, chapatis and what not! Originally the idea was to teach handwriting skills in this room, but we find children take freedom to bring out all their creations. Thus this is a very creative learning facility.

Indian geographical Map:

We have maps of Sullia taluk, Dakshina kannada District, Karnataka state, and India drawn on the walls. However, a three dimensional map gives different image of India. Keeping this in mind we have constructed a geographical map of India which gives a clear idea to children of the location of states, hills, rivers etc.

Herbal Garden:

The garden of medicinal plants is best facility to connect our minds with nature. Every plant has its own medicinal value which was discovered and used by our ancestors. We teach the children to identify the plants with their names and uses. Utilitywise, we have an annual activity of preparing a decoction of the essences of various plants on a big scale in the early days of the rainy season. We distribute it to the children which prevents the cough, cold and fever which often attack children. Consequently it helps to improve the attendance in the classes.

Gurukula – an open class under a huge tree

This is a facility to conduct oral sessions such as story-telling, singing songs, debate, speech practice, question and answers, group studies etc. outside four walls of the classroom. This is a place for outing from regular classrooms providing opportunities for brainstorming sessions to the students as well as to the teachers.

Science Practicals:

Learning by doing can be a great fun. Practicals in laboratory and in nature gives a better understanding of the subject. Children are given hand on experience in the science laboratory and in the open Science Park.

Suryalaya, the Sun Temple:

In our definition of Education, it is the process of evolution of body, mind and the souls of children. The activities of studying texts, appearing for exams and securing ranks should be substantiated with the practice of “aadhyatma” through yoga, dhyana and pranayama. The Suryalaya (Sun-Temple) in the campus is a learning facility that serves the spiritual advancement within children. This facility further helps to know practically the solar system, the application of gravitational force, and even practice of social equality in relation to god.

Playground:

Playground is an essential ingredient of a school. At Sneha we encourage the Kabadi, Kokko and other games which practically involves every child into physical activity. There are many playing spaces in the campus including Sooryalaya. Even the walkways in the natural forest of the school makes the children alert, releasing them from dullness.

Sneha Shaale