Monday 23 December 2013

Gram Bal Shiksha Kendra, Kosbad Hill


 

Bottom of Form

§  Our Idols OF Gram Bal Shiksha Kendra, Kosbad hill

 

 


 
Madam Montessori’s idea of informal education i.e. joyful learning reached India in 1914, when Times of India wrote some articles in their newspaper. Next year, in 1915 the very first Montessori school was established in the (then) princely state of Gujarat. Montessori’s westernised concept of learning was Indianised by Gijubhai Badheka – a visionary. Soon Tarabai Modak joined the wonderful endeavour of teaching the title ones in an organised but nondirective and informal way in the Bal Mandirs, established by Gijibhai on the advise of Mahatma Gandhi.

The heralded the era of Pre-primary schooling in India. Nutan Bal Shikshan Sangh (NBSS) was formed in 1926.

Though NBSS successfully planted its feet in the field of child education unfortunately it was moer of an urban effort and could not cater into a vast majority of the children because of their economic condition and  the prevalent caste system. Once again Tarabai, a true Gandhian, pondered over this issue and gave her attention to the slums and the poorer sections within the city. It was firm belief that this deprived section of the society needed same type of education just imparted in a different way.

The cost of the pre school education was high as Montessori way is an elaborate equipment based education.  Tarabai Modak wanted to bring the cost of pre school education as low as she could so that education would have far and wide reach. This brought to her mind the rural and tribal children and KOSBAD was born in the midst of many pathbreaking decision and after many many trials and difficulties. Today NBSS still functions at Kosbad Hill, in Dahanu Taluka of Thane district, in Maharashtra.

During Tarabai’s transition from Mumbai to Bordi and then to Kosbad she met Anutai Wagh who offered her services and both of tehm worked hard tirelessly and endlessly in an atmosphere totally new to them. Educating the tribals was very novel and new concept not only to these two devoted, dedicated and determined educationists, but also to the tribals themselves. In the years that followed selfless and tireless dedication helped to educate large numbers of children in an otherwise deprived section of society. Various new experiments were visualized and successfully implemented at Kosbad. This gave weight to the thought of making Kosbad self reliant and thus various training programmes designed. NBSS at Kosbad became the only institute to embark handson pre-school training, not only to the students but also to the teachers and educators.

The New Challenge

Today the Indian government not only sponsors primary education but also pre-primary schools. Thus Kosbad has seen dwindling numbers of students. NOW it is time.

§  To make Kosbad the Ruling Place of Pre School Education.

§  To make it Globalised and Modern-without taking away its down to earth approach.

§  To develop it into an International Research centre for Child Education.

 

Our Mission Our Vision

§  Our vision remains that of Tarabai’s and Anutai’s

§  But now we wish to walk with the new world

§  We wish to tell the educators to keep pre-school simple, as the innocence of the child.

§  We wish the children to be the sole beneficiary.

§  We wish to make Kosbad- A Shining Star on the International Map of Educations.

Our Strengths.

§  Vast infrastructure and farm land

§  Trained staff

§  Balwadies & Creches.

§  Anganwadi Training Centre

§  Primary School

§  Balsevika  Training Centre

§  D.Ed. College

§  Publications & Printing Press

§  Hostel for D.Ed. Girls Trainees.

 

These are some of the main projects. They need more financial help and attention towards their development. You can help by giving Rs- 1000/- under our Distant parent scheme by adopting a Balwadi child for one year. Also you can adopt a Balwadi by giving Rs.-40000/- per year. You can donate anything which will be useful for Balwadies.

You can send your help by M.O. or cheque/DD in favour of GRAM BAL SHIKSHA KENDRA

GBSK has to cherish the memories of late Tarabai & Anutai. So let us hope to get more & more support from friends & well wishers.

All of thes on a beautiful and picturesque hilltop overlooking the mighty Arabian Sea – the only one of its kind KOSBAD.

 

 

No comments:

Post a Comment