Going to School in India – a series of 10 mini books

Going to School in India mini books that celebrate what school can be from going to school in a tent in the middle of a mud desert to going to school in the dark, 10 such stories about children going to school in India. The books have been translated in regional languages and nine Going to School in India movies reached millions of children across India through national television.

Going to School in India series present many different kinds of schools and organizations, diverse religions and children across India – from street kids to kids who go to government schools. It tells stories that make children want to go to school stay in school and to dream of possibilities.

Going to School in India communicates with children about children, working to inspire change in schools by celebrating stories of activity-based learning. Communicating with children within India as well as children around the world, it envisions that children can begin to understand each other through what they know: the shared experience of Going to School. In this way shared rights, responsibilities, understanding and change are possible, both within India and around the world.

100 sets of Going to School in India mini books in Oriya were distributed to schools supported by Save the Children Fund in Orissa.

45 sets of Going to School in India mini books in Hindi were sent to schools run by non-profit trusts in Delhi and its surrounding areas.

The 10 books in this series are –

Going to School in a Mud Desert

Going to School on Wheels

Going to School in a Tribe

Going to School on a Mountaintop

Going to School on a Railway Station Platform

Going to School in a Temple

Going to School in the Dark

Going to School by the Sea

Going to School in the Middle of a Lake

Going to School under a Mango Tree

Children’s Responses to Going to School in India mini books

“I read all the books and got to know that children from backward communities like us can get help from government and other organizations to study. Now I know that I too can fulfill my dreams.”

Badababae Juri, 8 years, Government Upper Primary School, P.O. Jogi Mundra, District Balangiri, Orissa

“Why doesn’t everyone have someone like SANCHAR in their life to fulfill your wishes?” (Going to School on Wheels)

“I have friends too but they are not strong like Haider’s friends.” (Going to School on Wheels)

Ratna Manjusa Sahoo, 11 years, Jogo Pura, Secondary English School, Sambalpur, Orissa

“Now I know more about my country, I learnt that Patna is the Capital of Bihar.”

Aakash Swain, 10 years, Loka Para Government Upper Primary School, District Balanagar, Orissa

“I did not know that a school can be at a railway platform as well and I loved the puppets. It must be so much fun to learn with puppets.” (Going to School on a Railway Station Platform)

Anju Malik, 8 years, Very Special Arts India School, New Delhi

“Devki works during the day and goes to school in the evening; I was inspired by her story. All girls should be as hard working and driven as Devki.” (Going to School in the Dark)

Aarti Malik, 12 years, Very Special Arts India School, New Delhi

“Can you actually have a school under a Mango Tree? I had never seen or heard of such a school. We study in a room with tables and chairs and still we find it hard to pay attention to the teacher. These children must find it so hard to concentrate and study under the tree in the sun. I enjoyed reading these books and read them over and over again.” (Going to School Under a Mango Tree)

Kanchan, 7 years, Deepalaya School, New Delhi

“Children in Kashmir go to school in a lake; they don’t have classrooms or sufficient number of teachers to teach them at school. It is so difficult for them to go to school. I had never heard of a school like this. Why doesn’t anyone help these children?”(Going to School in the Middle of a Lake)

Bulbul, 9 years, Navsrishti, New Delhi

“From this story I learnt that people of all castes and communities have the right to go to school. It is amazing that children are getting education relevant to them, about their environment and about things around them. This is how schools should be.” (Going to School in a Tribe)

Kapil, 9 years, Manzil, New Delhi

“We would also like to go to the government and talk to the people there about our problems.” (Going to School in the Middle of a Lake)

Phulsum, 9 years, Salaam Balak Trust, New Delhi

Links:

• About Going to School

Attachments:

• Children's Responses (PDF)