School with a difference

Al Saad Indian School, Al Ain, is a part of Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, a premier educational institution founded in 1938 by Dr K M Munshi, a visionary, and one of the chief members of India's constituent assembly. Understanding the need of holistic education in the Middle East, Ramachandran Menon, Chairman of the prestigious Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, started a fleet of schools in the GCC a few years ago.
Al Saad Indian School is part of the same educational chain. The school is nestled in a salubrious location, away from city, with easy access for students and parents. The school is barely a seven-minute drive from the Tawam roundabout in Al Ain. With a vision to prepare global citizens who provide leadership for future, Al Saad Indian School took its first step in 2014 with modest strength. Believing that education should be life sustaining, the school provides multiple modes of learning experiences to children, according to their capabilities.
At Al Saad Indian School, learning takes place through myriad forms where every type of learner is challenged on to the next level. Effort is put on activity-based learning to enhance the students' level of confidence. The school makes sure that all concepts of learning apply to three stages - working in groups, independently and written evaluation. Multiple tools and techniques of learning provide students with varied exposure to different strategies, making them more confident in their approach.
A special education enrichment timetable is a regular feature in the school - wherein need-based activities are planned for all three levels of learners. This unique methodology helps learners take pride in their learning abilities. The feeling of self-worth makes them raise their individual bar of excellence. The management makes sure that teachers and students are abreast with 21st century skills. The school has a fully digitalised campus where facilitators are trained to teach through Learning Management System (LMS), a unique feature of the school where the teacher uses her own creative methods to prepare the content. Parents are given access to the digital portal through a login ID and password.
Similarly, the school's kindergarten prepares its own curriculum - a mix and match of Montessori and experiential learning. Thematic learning is encouraged in kindergarten due to which the theme and concepts become thorough for children as they learn through exploration. This helps them develop strong interpersonal skills. The kindergarten section also offers a unique Montessori lab to enhance the motor skills of children and make them self-reliant in future.
The school believes that learning is void if children do not pick up values. The school does not merely believe in preaching values; morals are practised through presentations in the school assembly through varied co-curricular forms like dance, drama, street plays, song and poetry composed by children. The school follows 'No Child Left Behind (NCLB)' policy to give all students equal opportunities and get them to the forefront.
The school distinguishes itself by imbibing in students the right meaning of the motto, "Attitude determines Altitude". The appreciation-tree and attitude-chart in each class (with stars and constructive remarks by facilitators) makes the kids work on improving their personalities. The beautiful artifacts and models of historical monuments made by children are displayed during open house and special occasions.
The school also conducts inter-house cultural and literary fests where children are trained for various activities ranging from numerous forms of public speaking to master of ceremonies. The school follows the CBSE curriculum and has a special slot allotted for training of co-curricular activities every Wednesday, which runs for one hour and 10 minutes.
Yoga is another striking feature of the school embedded in the curriculum, starting from grade one. The school believes that a sound mind rested in a sound body is the gateway to lead a balanced life.
Within a year of its inception the school spread its wings by introducing classes until grade nine for the academic year 2016- 2017.
With an aim of making the citizens of tomorrow mentally agile, physically fit and socially adaptable, Al Saad Indian School has embarked on a journey of sustainable education. The school has already gained reputation in Al Ain because of its exclusive approach. In the coming years, Al Saad Indian School is confident of churning out comprehensive individuals who will be poised to tread the globe with cheer.
- sadiq@khaleejtimes.com