MatriKiran School advocates non-AC classrooms
Gurgaon: At a time when the worldwide debate on comparison between traditional Indian Gurukul education system and luxurious well-furnished modern school system is on, a Gurgaon-based school had adapted the famous adage: Nature holds the key to our aesthetic, intellectual, cognitive and even spiritual satisfaction.
MatriKiran School has been promoting limited air-conditioning so that wards can spend more of their time in lap of nature. Chairperson Ms. Divya Bhalla explains the reason: “By this, the child will learn how to explore and perform in various phases of climate. It will also make wards more adaptable towards summers, winters as well as monsoons. I agree that we cannot adapt the Gurukul system in whole as it is not practical from the viewpoint of today’s requirements, but if the parents want their children to learn the importance of life, nature and humanity apart from studies – they will have to keep them a bit away from luxuries. Apart from harming their health, an over luxurious environment may make them astray.”
However, there are many more reasons also behind opting non air-conditioned studying environment. During the games period in school, when children go out in the sun to play, the temperature difference from the AC to the sudden heat exposure could make them ill.
Even the doctors and educationists agree that kids – studying in non-AC atmosphere have better immune system. Dr. Hema Singhal, pathologist at St. Stephen’s hospital says, “Those working in an AC atmosphere have more chances of developing chronic headaches, fatigue and vulnerability to get flu, cold etc.”
Corroborating similar views, some of the parents also said that keeping their children regularly in an air-conditioned atmosphere, parents are taking their fighting spirit and sustainability. “School is the place, where children learn both extra-curricular activities and academics. They should also be trained how to acclimate varied weather conditions. A processed environment is not conducive for growth and development. We must encourage children to play in the sun or rains as they might have to work in various climatic conditions in their future,” Dr. Manoj, father of Tapas and Tejus, students of Class 1 and Nursery at MatriKiran said, adding, “Such luxuries harm the development of kids. They may not be able to adapt to hardships of life.”