"...a school is a place where one learns the
importance of knowledge...and its limitations.
It is a place where one learns to observe the world
not from any particular point of view or conclusion;
One learns to look at the whole of man's endevour,
his search for beauty, his search for truth
and a way of living without conflict...."

J Krishnamurti
______________________


A neo-education concept
based on the enlightened being J. Krishnamurti's
ideas of an environment in which education is the basis
or rather...relationships are the foundation
from which an exploration of "learning" via simple awareness and discovery
of oneself in connection with the envirornment is promoted....
and is free from traditional methods in which subtle ways
and means via the "teacher/student" model...
which employ fear and manipulation to gain control of the child to conform by "manners",
justifyied simply to avoid disruption and thereby cripling individual freedoms
while enhancing the economics of "efficiency" in the aquisition a memory set.
While at the same to time creating a basis for "reactions"
rather than a responsiveness from the child...
patterns which extends into adulthood.

Here the child is not under the influence of the nuclear families
exclusive domain and the psychological patterns it passes along.

The first concern for the young children from the age of 9-12 years
is to develop a strong sense of personal hygene..from bathing,
to maintaining the bed and dresser..choosing clothes to wear and
minor laundry that amounts to the underwear.
They have a small allowance and can choose
from the "tuck" the few items they may need from time to time.


The children are housed in simple facilities that are grouped
in 3 wings of about 10 kids, three wings to a "dorm"
which gives them a strong sense of personal space with common room
for gatherings and a circular pattern that creates an enclosed garden space...
with house cat, and her case 4 kittens, haha.
Each dorm is monitored by the house parent and a helper..
besides the presence of a few workers handling daily maintainance chores.
Otherwise parents on the one visit for three days on each of the two four month long terms..
are not allowed into the dorm but instead spend the time in a guest house with their child during the night for sleep...otherwise they can participate throughout the day freely.

Students total about 250 ranging from grades 4 to 10.
The style is very much communal in nature
where kids mingle with all ages in and about
rather undefined zones of dorm, mess hall..
classroom activities, sports areas and extensive art facilities.

The location is out in the countryside up on a 36 acrea plateau
surrounded by a lake and numerous villages about two hours out of Pune city.

The acedemics are quite relaxed....with no tests till 8th grade.
Children are encouraged to explore the various clubs and
activitities such as dance, music, fine arts, nature studies and sport.
Competition is discouraged and "designer" appearal prohibited.
The focus is on personal development.

My somewhat limited personal observations is a group of very relaxed and
friendly kids who are very much enjoying the scope af activities, responsibilities
and freedom....although the routine is systematic and regular,
starting with early morning calesthetics and in the evening "asthachal"
where the children sit quietly for a half an hour
as the sunsets to "meditate", or simply reflect on the day..as they wish.
I noticed mostly twidling of thumbs, LOL.

On Saturdays my kid and her dorm wing (ages 9-13) make a circle of the beds
and build a tent over in which they "party all night" because on sunday
they are permitted to sleep in.
She loves to tell us about that...its a favourite event of hers.

The kids do get a movie on occasion but
there is no T.V. for them to habituate themselves with
for those extented conditiong sessions (thank goodness)

Hope you enjoy the snaps!
(more to come)