Extra-curriculars can now be your ticket to international recognition

It is important for children to know how to deal with a competitive environment and to develop confidence.
KUSUM KUNWAR ,
Billabong High School, Malad

MUMBAI: This month a 14-member team from Utpal Shanghvi School in Juhu returned with 15 medals, including seven golds, and a championship trophy from an Asian martial arts championship. These students, all stars of karate, judo and kobodo participated against children from 21 countries. This was the school’s best performance so far.
“There are better opportunities and better prospects for children now,” said Reshma Lalwani, who coached the team with her husband. “Parents’ perspectives have also changed, and they want their children to do something in life. It’s not just about studies anymore.”
Not only has the range of extracurriculars broadened in schools, the level and intensity has also gone up. Students routinely participate in international science Olympiads, sports competitions, debating and drama activities.

“Education is a must, but my son is gifted and we don’t want to lose out on that,” said Meera Chotrani, whose 10year-old son Veer is the under-11 national champion and Asia number one in squash. “His school is very supportive and he aims to pursue the sport professionally.”
A contingent from Billabong School in Malad participated in an international Spelling Bee last year for the first time. “It is important for the children to know how to deal with a competitive environment and to develop confidence,” said Kusum Kanwar, the school’s principal.
Model United Nations conferences, which have become a regular feature in most schools now, are among the most international activities. In 2011, Dhirubhai Ambani International School, Bandra, got its first foreign participants. Cathedral and John Connon School in Fort, also had international students last year, while the Harvard Model United Nations held a conference in India for the first time last year.

HANDS-ON

As part of the new system of continuous comprehensive evaluation until Class 8, most schools have introduced a project element. Some schools that have innovative projects include:

BOMBAY CAMBRIDGE SCHOOL, ANDHERI:
As part of project work for Geography, Class 8 students undertook projects to save water and electricity. One group recorded the electricity consumption through bills at home and school over a five-month period and tried to reduce their usage. Another went to nearby restaurants, stuck pamphlets and advised managers on how they waste less water.

FATHER AGNEL SCHOOL, ANDHERI:

Class 5 students were asked to prepare a first aid box and include various items as well as indicate what they would be used for. For an English project, students had to understand the workings of a bus depot, for which they spent time at one, interviewing officials and taking photographs.

DY PATIL INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL, WORLI:
As part of a chapter on sport, Class 8 students had to fill up a questionnaire themed on the Olympics — the costs and budgeting involved. For this they were taken to the DY Patil stadium in Navi Mumbai where they interacted with the manager. They answered questions about the project in class.

HOLY NAME SCHOOL, COLABA:
Under the common theme of “Care for Creation” students in different classes take up different initiatives and then have to submit a report on them. Some of the activities they have done this year include a cycle rally and an exhibition. Later in the year, they will also undertake a beach clean-up campaign.

MORE THE ACTIVITIES FOR OUR KIDS THE BETTER, SAY PARENTS

MUMBAI: Shefali Prasad swung a baseball bat for the first time two years ago. Prasad, 15, a student of Rajhans Vidyalaya was among the first group of students to experiment with this new activity on offer at her school.
“It’s fun to learn new stuff,” said Prasad, who has also tried softball, a baseball variant. “Not many people play baseball. We go to a lot of tournaments.”
Schools are constantly expanding the range of their extra-curricular offerings, saying students are keen to experiment and parents are becoming more demanding, seeking to mould their children into perfect models of achievement.
“It’s absolutely important for schools to offer different activities,” said Sanjeev Das, whose daughter studies at Delhi Public School in Nerul, which offers horseriding, skating and gymnastics. “If the school doesn’t have facilities, where will the kids play? One of the criteria for choosing this school was its campus and excellent grounds.”

As schools expand their offerings to include multiple sports, dance forms, craft and literary activities, students have a range to choose from; all in the same place.
“I am very happy for my children to take part in these other activities in school itself, with their bunch of friends,” said Seema Parekh, whose children study at Villa Theresa School on Peddar Road and St Mary’s, Mazgaon. “The peer group is an important motivating factor. Having all the activities in one place is better than running around for extra classes.”
While parents are keen to enrol their children in various activities, cost concerns are always a factor. “Everything is fine, but this is an additional cost after all,” said a parent whose child studies at a suburban school. “It is not cheap and schools are no longer providing education as a social good. They charge extra for everything.”