1st Mindsmart workshop

There are skills we can take wherever we will go in life, no matter what we do.

-Millie Hogue

4 peer educators from our School, namely, Vanshika Kanoujiya 9 B, Raghvendra Singh Gulia 10 C, Prerna Sahni 11E and Krithi Bajaj of 11 C, participated in the first of five workshops of the 20th Annual Peer Educator Programme at the National Science Centre on 26 April 2018. Several prominent schools, from across Delhi and different parts of India, participated in this weeklong conclave.

The objective of the workshop was bring the young stake holders on a common platform on common adolescent issues and concerns, and also to orient them for the emerging landscape of programmes and policies for India and to apply life skills for lifelong learning.

The event commenced with a lamp lighting ceremony by all dignitaries present: Ms. Anita Karwal, chairperson, CBSE, Ms. Vandana Midha, Principal, G.D.Goenka, Ghaziabad, Mr. Gaurav Bedi, principal, Gurukool The School and Mr. J.L. Pandey, former professor NCERT.

The peer educators shared the learning experiences of the earlier Mindsmart workshops.

A nukkad natak -SmartGram- was presented by the students of DPS Faridabad and Govt. Co.Ed. Sec. School. The street play focussed on issues of grave concern-importance of education, bonded labourers, child labour, female foeticide, to name a few.

As a part of the synergy, the peer educators were grouped heterogeneously. They interacted enthusiastically to present views on several issues faced by them- difficulties in decision making, time management, etc. They actively discussed ideas to overcome these problems and suggested diary writing, talking and sharing their concerns with elders as effective measures.

All the peer educators felt energised when a short movie celebrating the journey of Mindsmart was shown; it was followed by the National Health and Wellness Quiz for schools and the launch of The School Health Journal.

Ms. Anita Karwal, CBSE chairperson, in the concluding address, lay emphasis on a good sense of humour and acceptance, as key life skills for a well-rounded individual; games and yoga as mandatory for holistic development and Eustress as a mechanism to cope with difficulties. The chairperson also highlighted the tentative policies by CBSE on the rationalisation of the syllabus and recognition. She also recognised and acknowledged the social work done by the School students.

The experience was informative and motivating. We all look forward to the upcoming series of events.

Prerna Sahni 11E.