RIVER in Tamil Nadu

“The ABL concept has been taken from the Rishi Valley practices.”

The above is stated in the webpage of the Tamil Nadu Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan. In the page enumerating their various new initiatives and projects is a very lucid write up about the MGML Methodology learnt from RIVER and implemented in the State as ABL initiative. Read more about this by clicking here.

Dynamic Grouping in MGML Methodology

Unlike in Mono Grade classrooms wherein the student has one fixed place to sit throughout an academic year, in our system there is dynamic grouping of children. Children sit as per the support that they require when doing an activity. (Click on picture at right to get elarged view)

It has been observed that the following benefits accrue because of this methodology:-

a. Classroom mangement becomes easy.

b. The teacher knows which group needs his/her attention the most.

c. Encourages Peer supported learning.

d. Team work development is a fall-out.

e. Facilitates children learning at their own pace without undue pressure for completion of tasks.

f. Because of this type of seating, gender differentiation is eliminated.

g. While seated in a particular group a child knows what type of support he/she can get/give.

h. Optimal use of classroom space is achieved.

RIVER and the Afan Oromoo Language

Afan Oromoo? Ethiopia? RIVER? Yes, all three came together – the country, the language and the Organization. A partnership that started years ago bloomed into the Ethiopian Rural Education Project (EREP). Four Organizations came together for this monumental work. They were the Western Wollega Bethel Synod, Ethiopia, The Presbytery of Susquehanna Valley, USA, RIVER, India and Wellspring, Inc which played the role of overall coordinator. In November 2007, six persons, Rao, Rama, Venu, E. Ramu and two other RPs spent around a month in Dembi Dolo in Western Wollega. Here the MGML methodology was ‘transcreated’ into Afan Oromoo to be used by the local children there. We are told that the progress is very commendable. For more information on this program click on this link EREP

Types of Training conducted at RIVER

1. We conduct 3 – 5 day Exposure workshops for Policy Makers and Managers.
2. The above is followed by a 10 day Induction workshop for Core Group Resource Persons and Teacher Trainers. We do workshops for 40-50 persons at a time. Organizations that can send only small numbers are clubbed together and a workshop conducted.
3. Once the program gets underway a team from RIVER can go to the site to monitor and give mid-course corrections.

Characteristics of the MGML Methodology

• In a majority of schools in the rural education scene, the Multi Grade situation exists by Default. In our Methodology, the Multi Grade situation is created by Design
• Emphasis is on learning as against teaching – activity based instead of textbook based
• Teacher as a facilitator - Less stress on Teacher
• Learning tasks completed by all – even the last child is covered.
• Self paced learning
• Ensures quality learning
• Creates fearless classrooms; a feeling of joyful learning.
• Fear of examinations is non-existent
• Child is not at a fixed place in a classroom throughout the academic year
• The Methodology has culturally appropriate materials
• Encourages cooperative learning
• Sense of achievement in the child
• Child's ability accurately diagnosed and position fixed on learning continuum
• Child monitored individually and continuously
• Caters for slow learners as much as it does for fast learners
• Community is a major player in the execution of this Methodology.
• Accountability of the Teacher is ensured.

High Powered Team visits RIVER

Seven Principals of different DIETs in New Delhi visited RIVER on March 18, 2009 to know more about the MGML Methodology. This highly intellectual team (each one of them held a Doctorate) evinced a keen interest in this system of learning by children. An overview was given by the AO, RIVER and then a detailed explanation was given at our Satellite School. This was followed by a very searching and in-depth discussion session with Rao and Rama, Directors, RIVER. They left us having giving us the impression that they would like to initiate this methodology in their areas of responsibilities.

Legislative Members visit RIVER

Two Members of the Andhra Pradesh Legislative Council visited us, today, to see the MGML Methodology in action. Mr V Bala Subrahmanyam and Mr Rama Reddy were given a first hand account of the background and the essentials of MGML Learning in a Power Point presentation by Raju Asirvadam. The team then had a healthy discussion with Padmanabha Rao and Rama Rao. They were then taken to see one of our Satellite Schools where they witnessed MGML in practice. While, for Mr Subrahmanyam this was an occasion to re-establish contact with RIVER, for Mr Rama Reddy this was a whole new experience.