GSA Calendar February 2026

 My Good School

February 1, 2026

Book Reading- My Family and Other Animals
Book Reading- दी व्हिसलिंग स्कूलबॉय और अन्य कहानियाँ

February 8, 2026

Book Reading- What You Are Looking For Is in the Library
Book Reading- दी व्हिसलिंग स्कूलबॉय और अन्य कहानियाँ

February 15, 2026

Book Reading- My Family and Other Animals 
Book Reading- दी व्हिसलिंग स्कूलबॉय और अन्य कहानियाँ

February 22, 2026

The YES workshop on Communication with Kartik Bajoria. We aim to inspire young minds, helping them navigate their dreams and aspirations as they embrace their goals. 

Book Reading- What You Are Looking For Is in the Library

The Teachers Academy

Learning Forward Saturday
The Professional Learning Program (PLP) with Sandeep Dutt, ‘Wanted BackBencher LastRanker Teacher’ by Kavita Ghosh, starts on January 31, 2026, with screen sharing. Each first Saturday is for reading a chapter, which is completed by the second Saturday. Then, we discuss experiences and draft reflections, with Neelashi helping create posts for The Teachers Academy blog. By month’s end, all blogs should be published. Attendance is based on blog submissions. 11 blogs earn a Certificate of Appreciation.

Sandeep Dutt’s Masterclass 
Read And Lead at 5:30 PM: Co-hosted by Gurdeep Kaur and Sandeep Dutt, for subscribers only. We are reading The Courage To Be Happy. Sign up at sdutt.me.

GSA Meetings and Events

GSA Squad 

We review programs and plan for the coming week at 5:30 PM every Monday on Zoom - GSA Coordinators, Volunteers, and Mentors. #JoyOfGiving 

My Good School Retreat 

April 13th -17th, 2026, at Arthur Foot Academy

Find out more at www.inYouth.in

Fridays @ EBD

We meet to cherish Literature, Art and Culture #BrewingKnowledge 

Read with Neelashi Mangal 
Fridays at 5.30 PM: Book Reading with Neelashi Mangal, entry by invitation from The English Book Depot. We are currently reading: What Did You Ask At School Today: A Handbook Of Child Learning.

Neha Negi, author of When Birds Talked
5:30 PM on Zoom on February 13, 2026
Continuing with: Folklore of the Hills | Illustrated Himalayan Folk Tales of Birds & Nature | Uttarakhand Legends Filled With Myth, Magic & Transformation

Amardeep Singh Lost Heritage
5:30 PM on Zoom on February 20, 2026
‘Lost Heritage Productions’ is a Singapore-based visual media production house, led by a Singapore-based couple, Amardeep Singh and Vininder Kaur. It focuses on researching and documenting forgotten legacies. Find out more at: https://lostheritage.info/about/

My Good School 25th January 2026

My Good School began with administrative discussions about attendance and exam preparation, followed by a literary analysis of a passage that describes characters and settings in a story. Book reading: My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell and दी व्हिसलिंग स्कूलबॉय और अन्य कहानियाँ with Manisha Khanna. The group explored themes of haunting and memorable experiences through various characters, including discussions about pantomime and cultural performances. Part one of the session concluded with a reading and reflection, during which students shared personal experiences and discussed the importance of reading and education, particularly in rural areas.

The Art of Framing Sentences - Sunbeam Suncity

In today’s reading session, Sir explained the art of framing sentences by focusing on elements like character and situation. At first, it sounded simple and familiar, but in reality, it demands a clear and disciplined way of thinking. The session was not merely a revision; it was a meaningful step toward perfection. Sir emphasised how well-crafted sentences naturally become an integral part of both our reading and writing skills.

Jayant Raj – Class VIII

Sir conducted a very insightful reading session today on framing sentences with the right elements of character and situation. I realised that sentence construction needs patience and clarity of thought. It was a step toward refining our language skills rather than just revising them. The book reading at the end gave us a practical understanding of the topic.

Yuvraj Kesari – Class VIII

My reflection for today is that I learned how to frame a sentence using an image as a reference and add a creative twist to make it more engaging and effective. I really enjoyed the session because it taught us not only how to read, but also how to use our mind in the right direction with the correct approach.

Nikunj Gupta – Class VIII

The reading session today was quite informative, as Sir discussed how character and situation play a major role in sentence formation. What we usually consider easy turned out to be more complex when explained in depth. The session helped strengthen our basics and encouraged us to think better while reading and writing. It concluded with a book reading, which made the learning more effective.

Mayank Malani – Class VII

ज्ञान, स्वच्छता और जीवन मूल्यों का शिक्षाप्रद सत्र - सनबीम ग्रामीण स्कूल

आज के सेशन में बच्चों को यह दिखाया गया कि अपनी पढ़ाई के साथ-साथ अपनी किताब, कॉपी, बैग और जिस रूम में आप पढ़ते हैं, उस कमरे की सफ़ाई के साथ-साथ खिड़कियों की सफ़ाई के बारे में भी जागरूक किया गया। काम के बारे में बताया गया कि व्यक्ति को काम में ज़्यादा व्यस्त नहीं रहना चाहिए, बल्कि खुद का भी ख़याल रखते हुए काम करना चाहिए। ग्राहकों के बारे में भी बताया गया कि ग्राहक के साथ किस तरह व्यवहार करना चाहिए, सामान चाहे जो भी हो, उसकी समय-सीमा समाप्त न हो और उसका सही समय पर उपयोग हो। पुस्तकालय में व्यवस्थित पुस्तकों का उदाहरण देकर बताया गया कि आप अपने घर के सामानों को कैसे व्यवस्थित कर सकते हैं। खाने-पीने के बारे में भी जागरूक किया गया कि बाहर के खाने-पीने को त्यागकर घर पर बने भोजन का प्रयोग करें और ज़्यादा तेल-मसाले का प्रयोग न करें। बच्चों को यह भी बताया गया कि ज़्यादा मोबाइल का प्रयोग करने और रात को जागने से सुबह के कामों में मन नहीं लगता।
अशोक कुमार मौर्य (Teacher)

आज की कक्षा में हमें बताया गया कि “What you are looking for is in the library” और इसका मतलब है कि आप जो ढूंढ रहे हैं, वह पुस्तकालय में है। जैसे कि आपकी पहचान, आपका ज्ञान, आपकी क्षमताएँ—ये सभी वहाँ की किताबों में छिपी होती हैं। वे कहती हैं कि आप पुस्तकालय आएँ और खुद को खोजें। हमें पुस्तकालय जाकर खुद को खोजना चाहिए। पुस्तकालय वह जगह है जहाँ आप अपने विचारों को व्यक्त कर सकते हैं। हम अपने विचारों को कविताओं और कहानियों के रूप में आसानी से व्यक्त कर सकते हैं और पुस्तकालय में रखी गई पुस्तकों से सीख लेकर अपने जीवन में अपना सकते हैं। मुझे पुस्तकालय में सबसे ज़्यादा यह पसंद है कि वहाँ शांति होती है, जिसके कारण आप खुद को महसूस कर सकते हैं। इसलिए मैं सोचती हूँ कि पुस्तकालय सिर्फ पुस्तकों से भरा घर ही नहीं है, बल्कि खुद को खोजने और जानने का सबसे आसान और अच्छा तरीका है।

धन्यवाद।

प्रिया, कक्षा 7

“आप जो ढूंढ रहे हैं, वह पुस्तकालय में है” मिचिको एओयामा द्वारा लिखित एक प्रेरक कहानी है, जो हमें जीवन के बारे में निम्नलिखित महत्वपूर्ण सीख देती है—

• सही दिशा का महत्व: अक्सर हम अपनी समस्याओं का समाधान बाहर खोजते हैं, लेकिन यह कहानी सिखाती है कि सही मार्गदर्शन, जैसे कि एक किताब या एक अनुभवी पुस्तकालयाध्यक्ष, हमें वह देखने में मदद कर सकता है जो हमारे भीतर पहले से मौजूद है।

• पुस्तकों की शक्ति: एक किताब सिर्फ जानकारी का स्रोत नहीं होती, बल्कि वह किसी व्यक्ति के जीवन को बदलने और उसे कठिन समय में सहारा देने की क्षमता रखती है।
शिवानी यादव

Reflection on My Good School Session- Sunbeam School, Ballia

Today’s session at the Good School was truly inspiring. The YES workshop helped me understand the importance of communication and positive thinking. I felt motivated to stay confident and try my best in everything I do.

The book reading session taught me that knowledge is often found in books and through learning. This session made me enjoy learning and encouraged me to do my best. I will always remember it as a good learning journey.
Anahita Pathak, 5B

Today’s session at Good School was truly inspiring. The workshop was amazing and helped me understand the importance of positive thinking and effective communication. I felt motivated to stay confident and try my best in everything I do.

The book reading session was wonderful too. It reminded me that knowledge is everywhere and reading can open up new ideas and perspectives. Overall, the session was full of learning, fun, and inspiration. It made me reflect on my own habits and how I can improve both in studies and in life.

Ishika Singh, 9A

In today’s Good School sssion, conducted by Jugjiv Sir, I learned how to pronounce words and sentences correctly. I also learned where to pause at full stops and commas and how to use punctuation marks properly while speaking and reading. The class helped me improve my speaking skills and understand the importance of correct pronunciation. My experience in today’s class was wonderful, and I learned many new and useful things.
Riddhi Gupta, 5B

The session was inspiring and full of learning.

The YES workshop helped me understand the importance of communication and positive thinking.

The book reading session taught me that knowledge is often found in books and through learning.

Overall, it was an amazing session that encouraged me to learn and read books.
Arohi Jaiswal, 5B

The Power of Reading and Reflection in Student Growth- Sunbeam Hostel Lahartara

 

Sunday School Reflection by Manisha Khanna

Reading and reflection play a vital role in a student’s growth. Through regular reading, students gain knowledge, imagination, and empathy, while reflection helps them think deeply about what they have learned. Together, these practices encourage self-awareness, emotional understanding, and critical thinking. As students read, reflect, and relate ideas to their own lives, they gradually evolve into thoughtful, confident, and sensitive learners.

Meet me on the other side

#JoyOfLearning with #HappyTeachers committed to #JoyOfGiving

It is quite easy to judge a teacher, everyone holds an opinion on them. In fact, a lot of people have opinions on teachers in the classroom while having no experience in being in a classroom. Arthur Foot Academy's teachers come with a lot of cultural baggage on their shoulders but they bring their resilience along to the school. Teaching in a village where most women are married or about to be married off or are reaching the age soon, some of these teachers are finding their way through teaching. 

This particular teacher crosses the river to go to the remotest village in Bahadarabad. She goes there because a classroom cannot be confined in four walls and her role is not defined by the curriculum she has to finish but how many lives could she touch through her knowing a little better and empathising with other members in the community. Often times, teachers resist the work given to them outside the school or classroom because it is tiring and non-rewarding. But what if all their patience, kindness, effort and will was acknowledged? They would be happy teachers and would be able to stay in the system for longer. They would be willing to go a little extra mile for children who cannot come to school or are pulled out because there are extra hands needed at home to feed everyone. 

There has to be an equal portion of training, freedom and exposure for teachers. A lot of the teaching is outside the classroom. Let the teacher meet their students under an open sky and hear her children tell her things they know and they want to know. Maybe this can also be a part of the curriculum? 

She will meet you all on the other side of the river to narrate all the stories of pain, joy and giving. 

- Neelashi Mangal, Head Training and Development, Good Schools Alliance. Welcome to My Good School, find out more at www.MyGoodSchool.in

Jabaaz Kishori Project - Sunbeam School Ballia

Three-Day Field Experience-Based Research Report & Action Plan

Intern Name: Akanksha Rai

Role: Research Intern

Project: Jabaaz Kishori

Duration: Three Days

 

1. Introduction

 

Jabaaz Kishori is a community-based project focused on understanding the challenges faced by adolescent girls in rural areas and working towards their empowerment. As a research intern, I participated in field visits across multiple villages over three days. The purpose of this report is to document the issues shared by the girls and propose an action plan based on real observations and interactions.

 

2. Day-wise Field Observations

 

Day 1: Lalwala Majbata Village

● Girls were not continuing their education after a certain level.

        

Major reasons identified:

● Family pressure

● Lack of awareness about education, career options, and independence

● Girls were unaware of ways to become financially and socially independent.

 

Day 2: Village Visits

Village 1

● Girls expressed the need for a community activity center.

    

Purpose of the center:

● Weekly group meetings

● Skill development activities such as sewing and drawing

● Group study and creative learning

● This showed a strong interest in collective growth.

 

Village 2: Government School (Classes 7th & 8th)

● Girls requested more opportunities for sports.

● Limited sports facilities and encouragement were observed.

 

Village 3 (Near Hillwood Academy)

This village faced several serious issues:

● Healthcare Problems

● Lack of clean drinking water.

● High number of kidney stone cases and other water-related diseases.

● Absence of good doctors and preventive healthcare services.

● Many villagers believed these health problems could not be solved.

Infrastructure Problems

● No pakka roads.

● Difficulty in travelling for:

1. Medical emergencies

2. Education

● This resulted in students not studying further.

● Menstrual Health Issues

● Many girls reported irregular menstrual cycles (after 3–4 months).

● Lack of medical guidance and awareness.

● Girls requested affordable medical treatment and health support.

 

Day 3: Village Visits

Village 1

● Girls stated that there were no major problems.

● However, hesitation was observed, indicating a lack of trust and need for longer engagement.

 

Village 2

● Similar issues of kidney stones due to water quality.

● No schools available after class 10th.

● Girls have to travel long distances for education.

● A suggestion was made to provide bicycles to support continued education.

 

3. Proposed Action Plan (Priority-wise)

 

Step 1: Affordable and Accessible Healthcare (Main Priority)

● Provide clean and safe drinking water facilities.

● Organize regular health camps with qualified doctors.

Focus on:

1. Kidney health

2. Preventive healthcare

3. Adolescent and menstrual health awareness

4. Ensure low-cost or free medical consultations and medicines.

 

Step 2: Road and Transport Facilities

● Construction of pakka roads connecting villages.

Improved access for:

1. Emergency healthcare

2. Schools and colleges

3. Provide bicycles to girls for easier travel to schools.

 

Step 3: Education Till Class 12

● Establish government schools up to class 12 in every village or nearby areas.

● Improve infrastructure in existing schools.

● Encourage continuation of education for girls.

 

Step 4: Motivation and Awareness

● Conduct motivation and counselling sessions.

● Career awareness programs.

● Encourage girls to dream of independence and a better future.

● Promote confidence and leadership skills.

 

Step 5: Safety, Legal Awareness, and Child Marriage Prevention

● Awareness about women and child helpline numbers.

● Encourage girls to seek help if they feel unsafe or forced into decisions.

● Strict action against child marriage with police and local authority support.

 

Step 6: Community and Skill Development Centres

● Establish centres for girls to meet weekly.

Activities to include:

1. Skill development

2. Sports

3. Fitness, yoga, and wellness sessions

4. Create safe spaces for sharing and learning.

 

4. Conclusion

 

The three-day field experience under the Jabaaz Kishori project highlighted serious challenges related to healthcare, education, infrastructure, and awareness. Addressing these issues through affordable healthcare, better roads, quality education, and motivation can help create a healthier, educated, and empowered generation of girls.

Find out more about the project at: Jaabaaz Kishori by Learning Forward India Foundation

A peek into the inner landscapes

"What is life when you are walking in the garden?" is what a teacher from Sunbeam School, Balia, and I were talking about in our recent Wisdom Mandli session on Saturday, when she used the word 'sukoon' in her response. When some cards kept appearing and disappearing on the screen, with questions that are felt but mostly not asked of each other in everyday conversation, I was asking myself: What interests me in the world now? What am I curious to find out- the chaos, the harmony and the functioning of everything around me. 

Sometimes, there is an assumption that learning sessions are online, and they seem slightly disorienting until you attend them with the intention of meeting and hearing the voices of educators and people sharing their conundrums in life and school. Take what speaks to you, and don't beat yourself up for everything that's beyond your head. 

Wisdom Mandli was a session that opened my curiosity about the mundane around me! I was aware of what I feel in the kitchen, in the garden, or under the stars (they are hardly visible now), but can I speak about just that to a fellow teacher? We live in different realities, but these are such universal feelings and experiences. We were just coming to a point in the discussion where we were brainstorming how we could bring wisdom to our children and still be able to teach our curriculum when it struck me- Isn't talking about it already a large part of why we would want our children to learn in the first place? We are surrounded by ecology and nature all the time, but we sometimes just bypass it and do not pause to wonder. These sessions with Wisdom Mandli by project Fuel are my gateway for this month to something larger than me, me, me. I'd like my students to tell me how they feel when they walk barefoot on the ground. I am curious about their observations. It is a peek into their inner landscapes, and these questions seem like a torch to go with. 

Neelashi Mangal is the Head of Training and Development at the Learning Forward India Foundation. You may wish to email her at NM@LearningForward.org.in

The SPECIAL Joy of Storytelling and Reading- Sunbeam School Lahartara

 

Sunbeam Lahartara by Manisha Khanna

Students at My Good School love storytelling and reading sessions because stories spark imagination, strengthen language skills, and make learning joyful. Reading plays an important role in education by building knowledge, empathy, and critical thinking. These sessions are truly SPECIAL as they nurture Self-confidence, Patience, Expression, Creativity, Imagination, Empathy, and Lifelong learning, which are essential qualities that help students grow into thoughtful, responsible, and well-rounded individuals.

कहानी, प्रकृति और सीख - सनबीम ग्रामीण स्कूल

आज के क्लास में हमने “My Family and Other Animals” के Chapter 2 “The Strawberry Pink Villa” के बारे में पढ़ा। यह किताब में वर्णित एक गुलाबी रंग का छोटा चकोर विला है, जो कोर्फू पर स्थित है। यहाँ रंगीन फूलों की बग़ीचे हैं। यह जंगली वनस्पतियों और एक अनोखे माहौल के लिए जाना जाता है और इसे परिवार के नए घर के रूप में वर्णित किया गया है।

प्रिया पाल (7th)

द रोज़ बीटल मैन का आशय है गुलाब के रंग वाला आदमी या गुलाब के भृंग बेचने वाला व्यक्ति। यह चरित्र जेराल्ड ड्यूरेल की किताब “My Family and Other Animals” का एक अजीबोगरीब पात्र है, जो अजीबोगरीब कपड़े पहनता है और बोलता नहीं, लेकिन बाँसुरी बजाता है तथा जानवरों को पालतू बनाकर उन्हें बेचता है। यह हमें जानवरों एवं प्रकृति को क़रीब से जानने एवं समझने का एक सुनहरा मौका देता है।

अंशिका वर्मा (7th)

आज के सेशन में जेराल्ड ड्यूरेल की पुस्तक “My Family and Other Animals” के पाठ “The Rose Beetle Man” के अंतर्गत जेराल्ड अपने कुत्ते के साथ रोज़ कोर्फू नामक गाँव में घूमने जाते हैं। वहाँ वह एक अजीबोगरीब व्यक्ति से मिलते हैं, जिसे वे रोज़ बीटल मैन कहते हैं। वह आदमी बाँसुरी बजाता है, अजीबोगरीब कपड़े पहनता है और उसके पास कई जानवर जैसे कछुआ, कबूतर आदि होते हैं। वह जानवरों को पालतू बनाता और उन्हें बेचने का काम करता था।

इससे हमें यह सीख मिलती है कि जानवरों की जिम्मेदारी लेना कितना ज़रूरी है। इससे प्रकृति और जीवों के प्रति संवेदनशीलता बढ़ती है। जानवरों के भी अपने अनुभव और भावनाएँ होती हैं। इससे जानवरों के प्रति दया भाव सीखने को मिलता है। प्रकृति और जीवन को प्यार, सम्मान और देखभाल की आवश्यकता होती है। साथ ही इससे जिम्मेदारी का भाव भी बढ़ता है। जब हम किसी जीव को अपने घर लाते हैं, तो उसकी सुरक्षा और देखभाल करना हमारी जिम्मेदारी होती है। जिज्ञासा एवं अवलोकन शक्ति बढ़ती है और प्रकृति को क़रीब से देखने व समझने का ज्ञान बढ़ता है। विविधता और विभिन्नता के प्रति प्रेम विकसित होता है।

गुलाबी, शिक्षिका,सनबीम ग्रामीण स्कूल

Memories, Stories, and Learning - Sunbeam School Ballia

Today, I attended a session of my Good School, and it was a pleasant and meaningful experience. Manisha ma’am read a beautiful story by Ruskin Bond about a station 🚉, which felt simple yet very touching.

She asked us thoughtful questions about remembering places and how some places create memories that stay with us forever 💭💗. We also had a small discussion about stamps 📨, through which I learned that even small things can hold stories and value.

The session was very nice and informative, and Manisha ma’am shared many good thoughts. Overall, I really enjoyed the session and learned something meaningful from it 🌼.

Ishika Singh, Class IX

In today’s session, firstly Mrs. Brinda Gosh ma’am read Chapter 2 of the story “My Family and the Other Animals”. It was such an interesting story, and ma’am also asked some questions related to the chapter.

This session was so amazing and knowledgeable, and we also learned many new things ✨.

In the next session, Mrs Manisha Khanna ma’am read the story about a station 🚉 from the Ruskin Bond book. After finishing the adventure chapter, we discussed some questions about reading with Mr. Jugiv Singh, sir and Mrs Manisha Khanna, ma’am. They gave us some tips on the topic.

Thank you ☺️

Talat Bano

Turning Stories into Strength - Sunbeam School, Ballia

Reflections from My Good School on the 4th of January 2026

Today's Good Schools Alliance session was exciting and enjoyable. Jugiv sir read stories that helped us learn about Japanese culture 🇯🇵 and essential life skills. Before the session with Manisha ma'am began, she conducted a brief quiz on the New Year and reading habits, which prompted me to reflect on how I want to improve myself in 2026. We also listened to stories by Ruskin Bond, which were simple, meaningful, and inspiring. Overall, the session motivated me to read more, learn new things, and develop good habits.

Ishika Singh, Class IX

Today's session was engaging, meaningful, and informative. It helped me understand the importance of reading, positive thinking, and good values. During the session, we listened to a book reading that inspired me to believe that books can guide us and help us grow in life. The reading was engaging and made the session more enjoyable. 

Overall, today's Good School session motivated me to read more books, learn new things, and become a better and more confident student. 

Aadhya Gupta, Class V

In today's Hindi book-reading session, Manisha ma'am presented a short yet interesting set of questions that focused on the real benefits of reading and reflection. While answering these questions, I came to understand the importance of reflection and the valuable skills it cultivates. Subsequently, we read a short story about a girl who made the winning catch at the end of a cricket match. The story highlighted essential lessons, including time management and the importance of providing equal opportunities to everyone.

Additionally, Jugjiv sir explained that we should believe in ourselves and always try to do our best rather than worrying too much about the outcome. He emphasised that our actions and efforts matter more than the outcome. While talking about luck, he quoted a beautiful saying by a golf player: *"The harder I practice, the luckier I get."* This taught me that luck supports us when we are willing to put in sincere hard work.

Akanksha Rai, Class IX

The Importance of Reading in a Student’s Life - Sunbeam School Ballia

Jai Hind all,

The discussion on the book My Family and Other Animals helped me understand how reading can deepen our understanding of nature, family relationships, and human emotions. Through the session, I realised that books are not only helpful for academic learning but also play an essential role in shaping our thoughts and feelings.

The session encouraged me to read more carefully and reflect on the messages embedded in stories. Overall, the reading session was enjoyable and informative, and it helped me understand the true importance of reading in a student’s life.

Deenshah
IX
Sunbeam School Ballia

Reflections on Today's Sunday Session

At the beginning of the session, Kartik Sir taught us two important aspects of book writing through examples and small tasks: creating the mood of a story and describing a person without actually naming them. Later, Brinda Ma’am introduced a new chapter from the new book, which was based entirely on these two concepts. It served as a perfect example of what we had just learned. Through this session, I learnt new things, new words, and new ways of writing. Along with them, Jugjiv Sir, Vikram Sir, Minakshi Ma’am, and Manisha Ma’am all contributed to making the session smooth and engaging.

Akanksha Rai
9th ‘C’
Sunbeam School Ballia

GSA Calendar January 2026

 My Good School

January 4th 2026

Book Reading- What You Are Looking For Is in the Library

Book Reading- दी व्हिसलिंग स्कूलबॉय और अन्य कहानियाँ

11^th January 2026

Book Reading- My Family and Other Animals
Book Reading- दी व्हिसलिंग स्कूलबॉय और अन्य कहानियाँ

18th  January 2026

We aim to inspire young minds, helping them navigate their dreams and aspirations as they embrace their goals. 

The YES workshop on Communication with Kartik Bajoria

Book Reading- What You Are Looking For Is in the Library

25^th January 2026

Book Reading- My Family and Other Animals

Book Reading- दी व्हिसलिंग स्कूलबॉय और अन्य कहानियाँ

The Teachers Academy

Learning Forward Saturday
Early Childhood Development training sessions for teachers at 3:00 PM every Saturday - Hosted by Brinda Ghosh and Neelashi Mangal. You may join the cohort from The Teachers Academy website www.DilJeeto.com

Saturday Masterclass 
Read And Lead at 5:30 PM: Co-hosted by Gurdeep Kaur and Sandeep Dutt, for subscribers only. We are reading The Courage To Be Disliked. Sign up on The Teachers Academy website at www.DilJeeto.com.

GSA Meetings and Events

GSA Squad

We review programs and plan for the coming week.

At 5:30 PM every Monday on Zoom - GSA Coordinators, Volunteers, and Mentors. #JoyOfGiving 

Brewing Knowledge Friday
Fridays at 5.30 PM: Book Reading with Neelashi Mangal, entry by invitation from The English Book Depot. We are currently reading: What Did You Ask At School Today: A Handbook Of Child Learning.

Meet and Greet 
5:30 PM on Zoom on January 9th 2026
With Neha Negi, author of When Birds Talked

Folklore of the Hills | Illustrated Himalayan Folk Tales of Birds & Nature | Uttarakhand Legends Filled With Myth, Magic & Transformation

#BrewingKnowledge Hosted by The English Book Depot

Governing Council Meeting

The meeting will be held at PYDS Learning Academy, with hospitality provided by the Fig Tree Cottage in Dehradun, on January 19 and 20, 2026. 

Sunbeam Ballia and Arthur Foot Academy Exchange
Three girls and one teacher from Sunbeam School, Ballia, will visit the Arthur Foot Academy from January 19th to 23rd, 2026. They are volunteers for the Jaabaaz Kishori Project of the Learning Forward India Foundation.

AFA Monthly Review 

Zoom Meeting for Arthur Foot Academy Special Projects Review: 4th Friday of Every Month

Good Schools of India

Are you signed up for the Good Schools of India Weekly? Don't miss valuable insights—published every Monday at 7:00 AM! #JoyOfLearning. Subscribe at: www.GSI.in

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Follow the Brewing Knowledge WhatsApp Group. If you wish to join, please send a request by WhatsApp to Vikram Kumar at +91 97331 97341 or email vk@ebd.in

Enjoy the latest edition of the Weekly, the last one of 2025!

Good Schools of India by Sandeep Dutt

Joy of Learning Weekly #45

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Good Schools of India (GSI) Joy of Learning Weekly emphasises reading, reflection, and building meaningful relationships, fostering a sense of community and lifelong learning. Join a lively community of like-minded individuals who share your interests. Engage in discussions or subscribe to support Good Schools Alliance. Whether you're an educator, parent, or someone concerned about your children, we have something for you. Good Schools of India is a reader-supported publication, and we'd be thrilled if you could become a free subscriber. By doing so, you'll get access to our latest posts and help us make a positive impact on the lives of individuals seeking personal and social development. Imagine the satisfaction you'll feel when you help young people prepare to face the world with a joy of learning. If you're a fan of our work and want to support us, join the #JoyOfLearning movement with Good Schools of India! Together, let's inspire you to explore our innovative ideas and insights #BrewingKnowledge.

A Purpose, Reinstated!

 

When I decided I wanted to teach and dedicate a significant part of my life to students, learners, and curious minds, I was in my early 30s, reasonably well settled in a media career in Bombay. I did not know what I would teach. I did not know how I would teach. I did not know where I would teach! 

 

All I knew was that I wanted to interact with students. It was this deep desire that made me forsake what would ostensibly evolve into a successful stint in ‘Bollywood’, perhaps including directing a film or two, and move back to my hometown in Jaipur. Why move back? Because crossing this existential bridge in the Maximum City is painfully expensive. And because having been away from home for the better part of two decades, I suspected, quite strongly, that a return home would help centre me.

 

Perhaps a cosmic conspiracy played its hand when, during the first school summer holidays since returning to Jaipur in the winter of 2013, a friend graciously hosted a fairly rigorous Communication Skills Workshop with her own high-school daughter & son, and a few of their peers, at her primary school.

 

That month-long workshop was twelve years ago! It is difficult, if not impossible, to encapsulate my journey into and out of Education since. Suffice it to say that the years have brought wisdom, understanding, insight, and a clarity of purpose. That, truly, my entire teaching & mentoring endeavour has been a uniting of two profound influences in my own life. First, a deeply emotionally deficient relationship with my biological father has led to a fractured self-concept. Second, and subsequently, my Master's at The Doon School, which didn’t serve merely as subject-teachers but rather as life-mentors, creating an environment of completely uninhibited self-exploration, and then a self-exemplified ethos (not a preached or theoretical one) which espoused courage of conviction, to doggedly pursue passions one had unearthed through the aforementioned self-discovery!

 

More recently, and in case you’re wondering why I am essaying a mini-autobiography, I have had the privilege of knowing Jugjiv Sir and Sandeep Sir. Sandeep Sir is someone I have known for many years. At some point after my return to Jaipur, he’d generously invited me to The Fabindia School, where I was most struck and inspired by the incredible work he’d done. Would have loved to visit and interact routinely with the students had it not been for logistical limitations. Jugjiv Sir, I met more recently in the context of another education-allied project. And as I became more invested in the work that My Good School (MGS) has been doing, the plans & projects that are active, the vision of the organisation, the collaborative spirit of the cohort, I got the same feeling I did, many decades ago, as a young student at The Doon School, all over again. I could feel palpable excitement from these two senior gents, who were refreshingly exuberant and passionate, untarnished by life's numerous drudgeries and challenges. It awakened a renewed sense of purpose in me, and a small step they allowed me to take was to start a series of interactions at and through the Sunday My Good School sessions. 

 

Those have been some of my most memorable sessions, and, if I may say so myself, amongst the literally hundreds I’ve mentored now across schools, NGOs, colleges, and hallowed institutions like the NIFT and the Indian Institute of Crafts & Design. Why? Because the children who attend these sessions of The Sunday School, their investment, their ingenuity, their self-motivated zeal, their hunger & curiosity, are infectious. Because all the external resources and domain-experts who associate with MGS bring with them, in addition to the given heightened subject-awareness, a sincerity that is nowadays seldom seen. And because the manner in which this entire entity is in singular service to ensuring quality education to those who need it, and arguably deserve it the most, is intensely inspiring.

I am so honoured to have been made a member of the alliance and look forward to contributing in several ways. I’d be lying if I didn’t share my recent and growing dismay looking at any number of the allegedly ‘best’ schools out there. Now, however, with MGS, I am of renewed hope, vigour and purpose.

 

Kartik Bajoria is a member of the Good Schools Alliance #JoyOfGiving is a Jaipur-based Writer, Educator, & Mental Health Advocate