Kasturba Sevashram Trust makes fundraising appeal for an innovative school

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Recently, I had the opportunity to visit Pandit Shuklalji Lok Vidyalaya in Maydhar. As you are aware, our esteemed author and educationalist Manubhai Pancholi ‘Darshak’ started a school in 1978 to promote informal and enjoyable education. Many stalwarts from Ambia and Lokbharti cooperated, and the school functioned quite well until 2001.

In the absence of Manubhai Pancholi, the school remained closed from 2001 to 2013. However, in the birth centenary year of Manubhai Pancholi “Darshak”, Arunbhai Dave, the managing trustee of Lokbharti, decided to revive Darshak’s dream.

Dr. Arunbhai Dave is known for his experiments and practical lessons using pictures and equipment to enhance education.

He believes:

“I heard it, forgot it;

I saw it, I remembered it;

I do it, and I understand it.”

In order to put this formula into practice, appropriate infrastructure is required. This means considerable financial investment. In order to transform exam-oriented education into life-oriented education, a completely innovative approach is required.

When I visited Pandit Shuklalji Lok Vidyalaya, I was informed that Aaviskar Science Centre in Bangalore, with the help of Prakash Bhagvati, provided training, a syllabus, and hands-on activity kits. Prakash Bhagvati, through the Hiralal Bhagvati Charitable Trust, also provided core funds to support the experiment on a sustainable basis. Normally, students fi nd science and mathematics somewhat difficult to understand. Here at Pandit Shuklalji Lok Vidyalaya, teaching and learning science and mathematics are not difficult but easy and enjoyable.

Shri Madhukarbhai Parekh of Pidilite Industries provided all the required funds to create ultra-modern infrastructure for the school.

Honourable Minister of the Government of India, Shri Mansukh Mandaviya, also consistently supported this innovative experiment. Shri Adar Poonawalla of the Serum Institute and the Savani family of Surat made donations to create a hostel and community hall.

Pandit Shuklalji Lok Vidyalaya has not confined itself to the school but has spread its efforts over 80 villages in the Palitana and Talaja talukas of Bhavnagar district. Children from the adopted schools frequently come to Pandit Shuklalji Lok Vidyalaya, Maydhar, to learn through various experiments. It is said that the best definition of education is to develop the ability to grasp, understand, analyze, and innovate. During my visit, I saw many young people designing small but useful gadgets on their own. Here, teaching is secondary, but learning is primary. Four trained teachers travel to various schools along with learning skills to improve the educational standards of rural schools in Shihor, Palitana, and Talaja talukas of Bhavnagar district.

The experiment at Pandit Shuklalji Lok Vidyalaya is not limited to science and mathematics but also covers various events, festivals, and social work. There is great emphasis on cleanliness, self-reliance, manual work, and productive activities. Pandit Shuklalji Lok Vidyalaya, Maydhar, also promotes harmony, a commitment to care and share, as well as respect for others and their views.

I can say without hesitation that Pandit Shuklalji Lok Vidyalaya, Maydhar, is an experiment that needs to be replicated if we want to make India a true Vishwaguru. I must commend all the donors and supporters of this great educational experiment.

LETTER FROM P.K. LAHERI TO DR. SUDHIR PARIKH, CHAIRMAN, PARIKH WORLDWIDE MEDIA