Projects constituting our education programme are designed to meet all academic, co-curricular and overall development needs of children, right from 3-18 years. The curricula which is designed to deliver high quality English medium education is a combination of various teaching methodologies.

Our education programme began with a very small number of children enrolled in the Creche, the school-support and Non-Formal projects. Currently the education programme consists of the ECLC ( Early Childhood Learning Centre), Primary and Middle Schools Project, Non-Formal Project, School support Project (including mainstream schools) and ECA (Extra Curricular Activities) Project.

In the current FY (2020-21) over 950 children are enrolled in the various projects of the education programme.

Education programme enrolment graph

Early Childhood Learning Centre

There are 200 children in our ECLC project (formerly known as the Montesorri project) admitted at age 3+ years in nursery and continuing till upper kindergarten. Classes are run by fully trained Montessori teachers helped by assistant teachers. The aim of this project is to ensure that our children are equipped with a strong foundation which can help them cope well in formal mainstream schools. Classes are so designed that each child has access to stations on Literacy, Social Development, Physical Development and Numerical ability to name a few. At the end of each cycle, the students are assessed and sent for admissions to various schools – private and government schools.

Primary and Middle School Project

Over 400 children constitute our primary section project, divided into classes 1, 2, 3 and 4 and the middle school comprises of Class 5 and 6 which will be taken upto Class 8 by 2023. . Children here have access to high quality English medium education. Subjects ranging from Language, Maths, Science , Social Studies, Social skills are all taught using a host of learning tools and resources.

School Support Project

190 students, enrolled in other schools around the city are part of this project. Their school expenses including transport, uniform and books are borne by Ek Tara. These children come to the centre every afternoon for remedial and extra-curricular classes. Students, who perform exceptionally well, are enrolled in some of the city’s leading mainstream schools. Currently we have over 50 children studying in schools such as the Jewish Girls School, The Park English School to name a few

Non Formal Project

This project designed for school drop outs enrols them in a year-long bridge course at Ek Tara, at the end of which they are encouraged to re-admit themselves into schools. They have access to technology aided classes as it has been proven that lessons taught through audio-visual medium tend to be grasped better. Some of these girls are also placed under the national open schooling system. For those who do not have the bent of mind for regular academics, this bridge course is continued until they are old enough to be put into the Vocational Training Unit. Over the years, the number of students in this group has decreased owing to successful transfers into regular schools or vocational training.

Digital Literacy

All students of Ek Tara have access to digital classes to support their academic development. Currently there are 28 tablets, 34 laptops, 3 smart boards as a part of the project. The entire ECLC, Non- Formal, Primary and Middle school section at Ek Tara benefit immensely from this. There are regular training workshops for the teachers involved in this project.

Extra Curricular Activities

In addition to academic pursuits we offer a range of activities as part of our curricula for all students. For all students excelling in these activities, specialised trainings are organised. ECA provides an opportunity for students to acknowledge and carve out interests in different work stations. Engaging in ECA has also proven to fight mental problems and reduce stress, it is fundamental that students should highly participate in ECA with schools providing a platform to encourage their hidden interests.

Dance

Dancing encourages children to experiment and find different paths to solving problems, it helps a child develop a better understanding of themselves, both physically and mentally, as well as understanding others and the world around them. It encourages children to use their own imagination and ideas to organically grow and create. Traditional and Contemporary dance forms are taught to selected girls who can pursue this as a career path in the future.

Music

Music is a really powerful way of communicating and it’s a really powerful equalizer, it also brings with it a whole host of learning and developmental benefits — whether it’s learning math and rhythm, learning language and singing, or learning how to work together with other children. Right from an early age, music classes are conducted for all children. Special training in vocal and instrumental music is imparted to selected children, who comprise of our Ek Tara Music Band.

Art & Crafts

Creating art aexpands a child’s ability to interact with the world around them, and provides a new set of skills for self-expression and communication. Not only does art help to develop the right side of the brain, it also cultivates important skills that benefit a child’s development. But art goes far beyond the tangible statistics measured by studies — it can become a pivotal mode of uninhibited self-expression and amazement for a child. Our art and craft classes help in developing positive attitudes, broader perspectives and higher self-esteem. Children also get an opportunity to display their art work at various exhibitions every year.

Story Telling Sessions

Storytelling is the oldest form of teaching. It bonded the early human communities, giving children the answers to the biggest questions of creation, life, and the afterlife. Stories define us, shape us, control us, and make us. Not every human culture in the world is literate, but every single culture tells stories. Younger children are exposed to story-telling sessions with specialists on every Saturdays every week.

Drama

Performing arts such as theatre/drama/acting teach children how to think creatively through imagination. Creative thinking skills are critical in the world of business leaders, where the ability to create solutions to problems is a necessary and valued asset.Drama helps children develop an appreciation for the culture and arts. Learning theater provides a welcome creative, productive outlet for the children. Our children have taken part in “Nukaard Nataks” (street plays) and as well as put up musicals such at “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves” and the “Jungle Book”.

Self Defense

Through these classes children can achieve great physical fitness and enhance their concentration power thereby improving classroom performance. Our self defense classes makes sure that the children learn many of life’s most important lessons and values. Some of the values that martial arts teaches include integrity, humility, honor, respect, courage, and discipline.

Library

Books & Board games are a luxury in the community and libraries are scarce.
We provide a in-house library service to deepen the children’s passion in reading. Children have access to books & Games (like carom, checkers, chess, etc.) that develop the thinking abilities and life skills. Children from the Primary Section and School Support Group have library classes as a part of their routine.

Sports

An innovative way of building life skills is through sports. Sports require and teach discipline, confidence, team-work, patience, tolerance, etc. which are essential components of life skills. Sports also help prevent children from engaging in anti-social behaviour by navigating their energy into activities which are fun and productive.Children from the Primary Section and School Support Group are enrolled in a number of sports activities such as gymnastics, football, rugby, tennis and swimming.

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