Unlocking Brighter Futures: How Santiniketan School Empowers Children with Tagore’s Inspiring Philosophy

Students at Sishutirtha regularly plant saplings, attend outdoor winter classes, and refer to each other as ‘da’ or ‘di’ instead of ‘sir’ or ‘madam’. Sishutirtha, Santiniketan’s sole school run by the Tagore family, is celebrating its fifth anniversary. Founded by seasoned educator Sudripta Tagore in April 2019, the school embodies Rabindranath Tagore’s educational philosophies, blending them with modern practices. Currently educating 125 students from LKG to the seventh standard, Sishutirtha is part of the Santiniketan Sishutirtha society, established in 1989, which also includes a children’s home.

Sudripta Tagore, a descendant of Rabindranath’s elder brother, eschews corporate labels despite his extensive experience in founding and managing corporate schools. His vision for Sishutirtha is not profit-driven but aims to fund a self-sufficient children’s home. “We believe in ‘small is beautiful’,” he says, emphasizing a maximum of 30 students per section. The school seeks to keep education personal and meaningful.

The curriculum and environment reflect Rabindranath Tagore’s philosophies. Students’ involvement extends beyond academics, including assemblies, decorations, and disciplinary matters, fostering a sense of community and social responsibility. Mr. Tagore envisions a cosmopolitan teaching staff, aspiring to create a diverse educational community.

As Sishutirtha plans to expand its facilities, including staff quarters, its guiding principle remains true to Tagore’s ideals. The goal is to shift the younger generation’s focus from materialism to appreciation of the natural and the beautiful, encapsulated in Tagore’s vision for education.

Original Story https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/kolkata/santiniketan-school-run-by-tagore-family-says-it-is-empowering-children-through-poets-philosophy/article68418145.ece
Category : Kolkata
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