This morning we visited the school, where Parikrma first started – Parikrma Sahakarnagar. We sat in their large courtyard outside and were treated to an amazing assembly run by the children, from the youngest to the oldest. Parikrma assemblies always start with eyes closed and a minutes silence which settles and focuses everyone. They all say the Parikrma prayer together and then different groups of children presented on different themes all focused on aspects of learning for the children. Their assembly finishes with the national anthem and then all the older children helped pack up. It was lovely to be a part of. Inside the school we met children and staff, visited classes and met with the school psychologist, discussing a case study. Although the backgrounds of he children are so different from those we work with in the UK, the challenges and struggles they have are so similar.
We then visited the Parikrma Junior College and spoke with students about the subjects they were studying. They were very focused as they have important exams in January. We again discussed a case study of a child the counsellor is working with. These case studies really allow us to get into some of the details of the complexity of children and the challenges they have had and continue to experience.
We met over lunch with the Quality Heads and Shukla (CEO) and talked about how as a leadership team they oversee and maintain the culture , ethos and the quality of provision, whilst growing the range of schools in the Parikrma family. It is quite a challenge. They are a well established, long serving and impressive group of leaders.
After lunch we visited the newest school to Parikrma, – a government semi rural school, Bashettihalli Govt School. It is a new build school; an impressive site with over 800 children and the challenge is to integrate the Parikrma way of teaching with the government school teachers established teaching approach. They have increased attendance already and it was clear that the Parikrma way, being modeled by some of the staff was being embraced by government school teachers. The children are also feeding back that they like the warmth, friendly and compassionate approach of the Parikrma way.
We ended our visit back at the Education Transformation Centre, meeting with Shukla Bose (the founder and CEO), her husband Manab Bose and Akash Singh, who seems to have multiple roles and has been looking after Adam and I so well all week.
As a gesture of our thanks we, following the Mulberry Bush tradition, presented Shukla with a blanket, wrapped her in it and gave her a hug from everyone at the Mulberry Bush. We also shared a book of photos of the work of the Mulberry Bush over the last 75 years. We were then presented with a lovely picture drawn by one of the junior college pupils.
At the meeting we reflected on the week together and Adam and I shared some observations, which we hope were helpful. We agreed to develop the work between the Mulberry Bush and Parikrma in the weeks, months and years ahead. We have so much we can learn from one another.
It has been an amazing week. Adam and I have been looked after so well and given so much time and access to Parikrma. We have been deeply moved by our visit. We are both extraordinarily grateful to Shukla and the Parikrma family. Thank you!
