HD Kote of Mysuru district is a large taluk with vast stretches of the land being covered by the Bandipur and Nagarahole forests on either side of the Kabini river. The taluk has a diverse flora and fauna and experiences good rainfall during the monsoon.
However, it is considered to be one of the most backward taluks of the state in terms of the socio-economic indicators. Of the population of around 270,000, about 18,000 belong to the forest based tribal communities displaced from the forests. The Government has provided access to education to the remotest of villages of the taluk by setting up schools within 1 km of every village.
There aren't enough teachers who are willing to travel to these villages. Quality education was a distant thought. Most of the 30,000 students in the Government schools hadn't seen a test tube until 2009. With limited resources and large classroom strengths, activity based learning teaching methodologies weren't practical. An environment of fear prevailed in the classrooms (often considered necessary by the teachers!) and the students were never encouraged to ask questions.
However, it is considered to be one of the most backward taluks of the state in terms of the socio-economic indicators. Of the population of around 270,000, about 18,000 belong to the forest based tribal communities displaced from the forests. The Government has provided access to education to the remotest of villages of the taluk by setting up schools within 1 km of every village.
There aren't enough teachers who are willing to travel to these villages. Quality education was a distant thought. Most of the 30,000 students in the Government schools hadn't seen a test tube until 2009. With limited resources and large classroom strengths, activity based learning teaching methodologies weren't practical. An environment of fear prevailed in the classrooms (often considered necessary by the teachers!) and the students were never encouraged to ask questions.
The Vijnana Vahini program of Swami Vivekananda Youth Movement (SVYM, www.svym.org) is aimed at developing the scientific temperament among the community of the HD Kote taluk. Buying in the support of the teachers, the Government machinery and other stakeholders, the program aims to create an environment conducive for learning and encouraging the students to ask questions and explore to learn more.
Started in 2009 with a mobile science lab, Vijnana Vahini now reaches 96 schools through a wide spectrum of activities.of the taluk.
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