The school
The sapling planted about 40 years ago with five students and mattresses to sit on owing to lack of basic furniture in a dilapidated building has today grown into a tree – Sri Aurobindo Bal Mandir of today.
The Nursery and Kindergarten school was established on 2nd January 1977 inspired by the unparallel methodology of child education based on the ideals and ideas of integrated education of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother.
The practice of prayer and observation of silence is a part of the education system followed here. As instructed by The Mother herself, punctuality, cleanliness and healthy habits are imparted in the students from the very beginning. Teachers are always aware to keep the light of curiosity about knowledge and interest to learn kindled in the tender minds. The students begin their classes every day by offering a prayer to Sri Aurobindo and The Mother and observing a period of silence.
Apart from studies, song, dance, recitation, drawing and games appropriate for the students as per their age and ability are an integral part of the regular curriculum. Keeping stress on the medium English, vernaculars like Bengali and Hindi are given due attention too. Students are prepared so that they are able to get admitted into primary schools after passing out from the Kindergarten Section. Every year students so passing out successfully get admitted in reputed schools of Kolkata.
All the teaching and non-teaching staff of the school are also members of Sri Aurobindo Sakti Centre. Many from amongst the guardians become members too and participate regularly in the celebrations and other programmes of the Centre. The Management and teachers of the institution believe that if the spirit of service following the ideals of Sri Aurobindo and The Mother are maintained the institution shall be able to keep up the high standards with the blessings of the guiding lights – Sri Aurobindo and The Mother.
The curriculum and methodology of teaching has been evolved at Sri Aurobindo Bal Mandir. Audio visual classes through educative multimedia titles are held regularly to supplement the same and make it more interesting. The classrooms have been renovated and painted to maintain a bright appearance and create and atmosphere conducive to learning. Toys and sports equipments are maintained for the children to play with.
The School has two sections – Nursery and Kindergarten both being divided further as Nursery A & Nursery B and KG-I and KG-II. Nursery A and B have three sections each while KG-I and II have two sections each. Each section is put in charge of a teacher while teachers are assisted by assistant teachers in some sections to ensure a healthy teacher : pupil ratio. The present teacher : pupil ratio in the section with highest number of students is about 1 : 20. A team of attendants are on duty to take care of students.
The operations of the School covering almost all aspects from accepting of fees, accounts, payroll of staff, maintenance of students’ records, admission procedure, result preparation and reports are done through computer applications. Improvements in the work flow and automation wherever possible and feasible are being continuously done.
