Mr. Suresh Prabhu, Union Union Minister inaugurated A Unique learning centre’ at Heartfulness Institute, Kanha Shanti Vanam, Hyderabad
Hyderabad: Heartfulness Institute ( www.heartfulness.org) as part of its education initiatives has launched the ‘Heartfulness Learning Centre’ (www.hfnschools.org) that aims to provide a blended learning environment to Pre-KG to Grade 8 (age 3 to age 13 years) children.
Unique Methodology: HLC
• Foundation and approach based on 7E’s: Enthuse, Experiment, Experience, Explain, Elaborate, Explore and Extend
• Focussed on providing Integrated, Interdisciplinary, Experimental and Experiential
• Curriculum Includes Scholastic Studies, Co-Scholastic Studies (fine arts, contemporary and decorative arts), performing arts (theatre, dance, music) and significantly Associated Sessions (unity moments, yoga, farm & field visits, life skills, relaxation, talks, discussions, presentations, celebrations amongst others)
• Follows the NCERT guidelines
Mr. Kamlesh Patel (also known as Daaji), Global Guide of Heartfulness Institute, inaugurated ‘The Heartfulness Learning Centre’ a novel experiment in ‘Building the Wisdom Bridge’ on Tuesday, 30th of April 2019, at Heartfulness Institute, Kanha Shantivanam, Kanha Village, near Hyderabad, Telangana. The Learning Centre was inaugurated in presence of Mr. Suresh Prabhu, Union Minister for Commerce and Civil Aviation and his wife Mrs. Uma Prabhu.
According to Mr. Kamlesh Patel (Daaji), “This learning system aims to integrate the wisdom and rich traditions of our ancient land with the scientific, innovative and contemporary methods of the west, thereby preparing children to meet the challenges of this modern world and yet be strongly anchored within themselves.”
This Heartfulness ‘Sanctuary for children’ is at the heart of 1,400 acres area of Heartfulness Education Trust. Beyond their classrooms, children have access to extended infrastructure of the facility for their learning and on-field training such as large training facilities, vegetable farms, nursery and tree plantations for nature appreciation, pottery labs, a dairy, library, kitchen that can make food for 1 lakh people amongst others.
Ms. Nirmala Sundaram, Principal of Heartfulness Learning Centre states: “The children will be exposed to myriad and wide-ranging options aimed at promoting self-learning, observation, discovery, curiosity, experiencing through experimentation and exploration. Faculty, centered in the Heartfulness Practice with expertise in their chosen areas, will focus their efforts with a lot of care and love. They will be role models who facilitate subtly, delegate effectively and nurture inspiration for self-learning by creating a joyful and conducive learning environment”.
The eclectic methodology of ‘Integrated, Interdisciplinary, experiential and experimental learning’ will be facilitated by faculty in the state of art infrastructure available at Kanha Shantivanam, the Global Headquarters of Heartfulness Institute.
The curriculum will cover scholastic subjects that includes languages, Math, Science and Digital learning. Co-scholastic subjects cover as visual art topics such as drawing, painting, collages, crafts, digital art, animation, graffiti, photography, paper making, paper making, clay modelling, mosaic art, glass making and jewellery making. Performing arts subjects include theatre (plays, musicals, mime and pantomime), dance (classical, folk and modern), Music (classical, folk, western, Indian). Associated Sessions include unity moments, yoga, farm & field visits, life skills, relaxation, talks, discussions, presentations, celebrations amongst others.
‘The Heartfulness Education Trust’ has also applied for accreditation from the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS) for the ‘Open Basic & Academic Education’ program. Established by the Ministry of Human Resource Development of the Government of India in 1989, this is the largest open schooling system in the world. Website: www.nios.ac.in.
This innovative educational endeavour is ably supported by two eminent educationists who are our Consultants and Heartfulness Mentors:
Dr. Shamala S. Krishna is a postgraduate in English, Education and Women Studies, a Ph. D in Value Education with 30 yrs. experience in RIE, Mysore (NCERT). She has been the member of the National Curriculum Framework in 2005, member of the editorial committee for Grade XII core English textbook. Seven books titled “Lead Kindly Light” (teaching values to Children through English) have been authored by her.
Ms. Santhya Vikram is the Founder and Managing Director of ‘The Yellow Train’ a progressive school in Coimbatore. She is a researcher, writer and speaker of various themes in education and child development with a Master’s in Business Management. She holds various Diplomas and Certificates in pedagogy, design and leadership in education. For 12 years she worked in the Corporate world both in India and overseas in the areas of leadership development, human resources and innovation.