With this approach, will my child be eligible or have a mindset to succeed in competitive exams post 10th or 12th?"
Yes, definitely.
The child begins to understand the importance of rigour in learning not just academics but also to the fact that it is required to excel in simple day to day to activites. Rigour since early childhood helps in building stamina to sustain the attention and interest towards all actiities and challenges. As the child progresses in age and class, the challenges are increased appropriately without any pressure to perfom; to learn joyously. Children are periodically exposed to reviews and feedbacks from their facilitators. NIOS stream is chosen from class 8 onwards to prepare children for class 10 exams.
If children are not educated in comparison and competition, how will my child write exams or competitive exams for higher education? Will my child even fit into this society?
We certainly don't approach education with this carrot and stick approach. Though it is natural for a child to feel the usual feeling of comparison to peers, competition with the peer, jealousy, greed, etc. through meaningful dialogues amongst the children and facilitators about the need to perpetuate these behaviour in order to achieve anything will bring awareness at the moment of action and definitely the questioning mind in the child will never miss out on watching and keeping such behaviours in check. Though we cannot guarantee complete negation of such emotions, the adult and child in unison will become aware of their thoughts and reactions.
Preparing for exams is a skill of memory which is of course in abundance with children and the same skill is tapped into preparing them for exams. Practical activities are testing times on the EQ of an individual. It is a test of knowledge and its application at Akshara Manèy, self evaluation is a constant process. Child and adult both are always face to face in their academic exams involving memory and reproducing along side real life exams.
Exams in the present day education system are a bridge to the next level of education and not to be considered as a deciding factor for one’s IQ.
Our constant endeavour is to create environments and challenge the inquiring and questioning mind of the individual child in relation to their beliefs, emotions, fear, etc.
We are a part of this society but are not forced to comply with its complexities and conformities.
Our center is not a place for comparative learning of different schools of thought nor a place for merely understanding “any teachings”, but is a holistically enriched environment.
We do not believe in training a child to follow or fit into any particular ambitious society or be bogged down by societal stigmas based on institutional principles.
Does Akshara Manèy accommodate and welcome children with learning disabilities or physically challenged?
Akshara Manèy welcomes all children and doesn't discriminate or bracket anyone based on their capacities. We are located in a place away from the city amongst nature and access to hills and water bodies. Children need to be robust and have a good stamina in order to withstand the demands of being outdoors and yet be in a position to accept the challenges of academics. We however do take care of the requirements of children’s security and safety.
We believe that all children are equal and have the right not to be judged based on their learning capacities.
Our facilitators and staff accept the children as-is, they are passionate about education and are from varied backgrounds; we do have the "certified skills" and importantly we are sensitive to the psychological requirements of children and take care of them with affection.
We welcome children from diverse backgrounds and with diverse learning needs.
We recognise that children learn in different ways and at different rhythms. Our intention is to create an environment where learning can take place without fear, pressure, or comparison.
At the same time, the nature of our campus, our classroom ratios and our current resources require us to be thoughtful and responsible in our admissions process.
Children with learning differences, attention-related challenges, or on the neurodiverse spectrum are encouraged to apply. Admission, however, is based on a careful process of understanding whether the school is presently able to meet the child’s needs in a meaningful and supportive way.
This process is guided by dialogue, observation, and mutual clarity rather than labels alone.
Parents who are in sync with the intent of Akshara Manèy are given an opportunity to explore and to know our approach to education. Children with any special needs are given an individualised family educational plan in order to understand the intent, the people and the place orient the child about the vicinity, safety and other activities in general terms. This might call for extra faculty and increase in cost too.
What is the mode of communication between the Center-child-family?
All information regarding the Center is available on our website. Any communication regarding events or children's activities will be mailed directly to the registered email id. Any and all messages from the Facilitators to the child will be given during working hours or uploaded to Google drive for the child's access.
We do not encourage nor will be part of any social media chat groups and we are not responsible for the information exchange over such platforms.
Finance & Costs
Akshara Manèy is a learning center that is not - for - profit. Here we provide the best education available. This does incur a lot of costs to provide such an education for children & so we request parents to understand the cost involved & support the cause not only by way of donations but in all ways to provide the best for their children and the center's sustainance. Choosing an educational environment such as ours is indeed a brave step by a parent and providing the same for their child is a significant economic decision. This might be a financial challenge for many.
We do include children from various lifestyles, economical backgrounds to study under one roof to encourage an inclusive and accepting mindset in all of us.
We fully support and encourage parents who can adopt and facilitate children from economically weaker sections to also have the advantage of learning at our center.
We procure fresh vegetables and fruits to ensure our students are always given healthy meals.
Apart from our esteemed group of faculty there are always guest faculties visiting us regularly to supplement our work in providing holistic education.
The Center also provides transportation for children. All these costs determine long term costs and funding for which we are dependent on donations.
Addressing Common Concerns about Alternative Education
These are few of the excerpts from our interactions with parents and feedback from Admisions Team
"I've heard concerns that children in alternative schools aren't as 'prepared' as those in traditional settings. Some worry about their academic abilities in subjects like Math and Science. They may question why children prefer outdoor play to board games or video games, or why they ask so many questions about family rituals."
These concerns often stem from a conventional understanding of success, focusing solely on academic achievement and competition. However, alternative schools prioritise holistic development, nurturing creativity, critical thinking, and social-emotional intelligence. Children learn through experiential learning, exploring nature, and engaging in real-world projects.
At Akshara Maney, we believe children learn best when they are curious and engaged. We encourage questioning, exploration, and independent thinking. Our curriculum integrates academics with art, life skills, and environmental awareness. Children learn about cooking, financial literacy, public speaking, and more, alongside traditional subjects.
We understand the importance of academics, but we believe a well-rounded education goes beyond test scores. Our approach focuses on developing well-adjusted individuals who are confident, compassionate, and environmentally conscious. We encourage parents to trust the process and observe their child's growth and development.
Key Features of Akshara Maney:
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Holistic Curriculum: Integrating academics, arts, and life skills.
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Experiential Learning: Emphasising hands-on learning and exploration.
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Nature-based Education: Encouraging an immersive connection with the natural world.
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Focus on Well-being: Prioritising social-emotional development and critical thinking.
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Emphasis on Life Skills: Developing essential skills like cooking, financial literacy, and communication.
For communication, we primarily use email. We encourage parents to engage with the school and discuss their child's progress.
We invite you to learn more about Akshara Maney and how we can nurture your child's unique potential.
A typical day at Akshara Manèy
Our typical day begins at 8:00 am with children and staff coming into the campus .
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8:15-8:55 a.m- Physical Activities such as Yoga, Taekwondo, Nature walks, Games, Campus chores, etc.
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9:00 a.m to 9.30a.m - Snacks
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9:30 a.m to 3:00 p.m - Planned academic activities across all the groups, with breaks in-btween sessions. Activities are woven smoothly to inculcate variety and not be a monotonous session.
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12 noon -12:45 p.m Lunch time.
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It is wholesome healthy vegetarian meal is served and everyone eats together. There is a rota system which allows children to be part of setting the plates, serving, looking after the needs of younger peers while eating, cleaning post lunch.
Older children too get time to play, they are many a times are encouraged to engage younger children in team games, academics, art or any other experiments or hands-on-activity.
