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