India has been a pioneer of radical ideas in schooling. Right from our Rishis to Gijubhai to Rabindranath Tagore, we have had no dearth of interesting and inclusive ideas in education. Child-centric education and designing for inclusion with free, open and safe spaces has been a fundamental aspect of our education system.
Colonization happened, and our schooling changed forever. India is changing, the world too. Yet, our schools remain the same. Decisions on how the school should look flows from the top. Adults- sometimes adults who are not remotely involved with children- call the shots on how much space children get to play, sit, eat, talk, walk.
Learning pedagogies are moving away from the traditional “chalk and talk” classroom and toward a more collaborative approach of information exchange between students and teachers. However, most learning spaces do not match the change in learning and inclusion that we aspire for.
Research says that our environmental factors and surroundings have a huge impact on our moods and mind, particularly affecting creativity and problem-solving abilities. A teacher’s capacity to teach and a student’s ability to learn effectively and productively are both influenced by a variety of factors. One of these crucial influences is physical space. Designing for inclusion and accessibility means accommodating a wide range of individual characters, personalities, cultures, and behaviors.
Many schools around the world are looking within for answers. Student-centred schools invested in inclusivity are designing learning experiences that recognise and respond to the individual needs of each of their students, with physical spaces of the school supporting this objective. They encourage all stakeholders of their school community to be active learners, working to enhance the educational opportunities available at their school. A focus on health and well-bring, the ability to nurture the potential of varied learning needs and turning them into positive, productive learning outcomes are at the forefront of this exercise.
For instance, Universal design is a concept that has evolved from the more traditional view of accessibility as being solely for the benefit of persons with disabilities. The practical application of universal design is achieved through understanding and using the goals of universal design.
School Climate: How do we assess it before your child begins school?
The JAGA Project- Designing for Inclusion
As a first in India, Tapas Progressive Educational Institution, Bangalore, has kickstarted a very unique project called ‘Jaga’. It’s the first student driven event in India aiming at reimagining space planning in schools for primary and secondary students. The initiative aims to spearhead classroom design for learning diversity and social inclusion.
At Kidskintha, we are proud to be a partner. An eminent jury panel that are deeply invested in ensuring that the world moves towards what is right for children, in their own different ways. From helping frame Govt. Policies to Grassroot work with marginalised children, across different industries they have made their voice heard. Now they have joined JAGA as a Juror in order to give children a voice in the way that their learning spaces are designed.
Let’s brainstorm and come up with ideas to make school campuses more flexible and conducive to learning. Let’s give the children, who are the school’s biggest stakeholders, a voice in designing for inclusion!!
What do you need to do?
Send in 3 of your child’s ideas through the form in the link and your child gets a chance to get featured in our book!
Join the JAGA Hackathon for Children
Be a part of JAGA, let your child be a change-maker!
