Bal Vihar Primary School (NUR-V), New Delhi

The BAL VIHAR School of VIDYA

It is very first program of VIDYA, which was given birth in the home of our the Chairperson Mrs. Rashmi Misra in February of 1984. The reason of VIDYA Bal Vihar was five little girls from Katwaria Sarai, who were playing in a dirty nullah near the wall of the IIT Delhi, with their siblings. When she asked them, why they were not in the school, they said, “we are girls and girls don’t go to school. Don’t you know that- which world you come from?” This is what prompted her, to invite them to her home and teach them.

She was overwhelmed with the intelligence, the zest of those five girls. They learnt rapidly and loved the opportunity. Their affection and their joy stole her heart. The numbers swelled to 20 girls and boys very soon. Four months later IIT Delhi gave us one room in the IIT Delhi’s Open-Air theatre, from where we started with 25 children and 2 volunteers.

The BAL VIHAR School grew from strength to strength with the contribution of hundreds of volunteers, the support of well-wishers and with the hard work of teachers and staff. We were based in the IIT campus for 18 years, supported by Monsoon UK and were visited by many distinguished dignitaries including the first lady of the USA, Hillary Clinton and Chelsea in March 1995.

In 2005 VIDYA’s BAL Vihar was moved to Rainbow Montessori School, Panchsheel park under the partnership of Panchshila Housing Society initially for five years, which is further extended till 2025.

Strength & Catchment Areas

The Bal Vihar school of VIDYA educate 270 – 300 students from classes Nursery to V from 8:00 am to 2:00 Pm every year. Most of the students are first generation learner, living in the surrounding slum communities mainly -Lal Gumbad Basti, Malviya Nagar, Begampur, Savitri Nagar, Servant quarters at Panchsheel park.

Programs & Activities at Bal Vihar

Formal education

Child centric English medium curriculum for the students from nursery to V.
Providing pictorial books and teaching material to make learning fun for the students.
Teaching through creative pedagogies like story -telling, poetry, theatre and fine arts.
Providing life skill & social skills training through morning assemblies.
Computer literacy.
Regular evaluation internal & external.
Regular workshops for students and staff.
Science club
English conversation classes by Illingua
Regular PTM’s

Beyond Academics

Martial arts twice a week.
Art and craft
Moral values through Artly class.
Mental awareness by “Minds at Play”
Annual event.
Organizing exposure trips, excursions and festival celebrations for students to imbibe confidence and team work values.
Celebrating all national and cultural festivals.

Counselors and Volunteers

Regular counseling sessions to students with behavioral problems and remedial teaching to weak students by volunteers after school hours.

Scholarship programs

Each year 20% children– get admission in reputed schools. If not EWS, then VIDYA sponsors 50% of their scholarship fees till XII
Others are admitted in English medium section of government schools
0% Drop out rate

Since 2019 students are also commuting to VIDYA school Gurugram.

HOW WE ARE NAVIGATING DURING THE PANDEMIC – DIGITALIZATION OF EDUCATION SYSTEM AT VIDYA

Adapted the technological tools
Proper Online Classes with scheduled timetable
Focusing on skill-based learning
Emphasizing on Mental Health, Academics and Co-curricular
Encouraging creative activities for the children to do at home
Organizing remedial classes and assessing regularly
Focusing on communication and language development rather than completing curriculum
Increasing Teacher-Parent interaction
Increased volunteer involvement
Teacher’s training through webinars and virtual workshops

IMPACT OF THE PROGRAMME

Decrease in dropout Rate
Increase in average attendance
Increase in the learning level of the children, especially 3 R’s (Reading, Writing, and Recitation)
Increase in cognitive skills
Increase in community involvement
Equipped with life skills
Better understanding and knowledge
Better communication skills
Better physical and mental health
Enrolment of second-generation learners
Dream of better future

Even during pandemic

We were able to connect to 90% students.
We are able to monitor physical and mental health of, not only kids but of the family, as the teacher’s interaction was not limited to students, but to their parents and siblings as well
Due to focus on Mental health, we could observe a sign of joy and happiness, while interacting
As the teachers are teaching on mobile phones, mothers are also listening and learning
Teachers upgraded their skills, by joining various courses and workshops
The teachers could understand their students better
The teachers became tech savvy

Words of Commendations

Yatika Mehta

‘EDUCATION IS THE MOVEMENT FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT’

VIDYA Bal Vihar came into my life as the light at the end of the tunnel. I joined VIDYA in 2009 and that was the turning point. Coming from a middle-class family it was difficult for my parents to send two children to a private school, so instead, I was sent to VIDYA . The two years I’ve spent here studying was the best, those weren’t just succumbed to curricular but gave me the opportunity to explore the extracurricular as well. The morning assemblies for me were the best as that is where I discovered my liking towards the subject English and how much I want to do in this field. VIDYA has helped me all these years right from class 6th to class 12th in every way possible. By supporting me financially and continuously motivating me to do better and making me believe in myself. Because of VIDYA I graduated high school from St Mary’s school and am currently pursuing BA English Honors from Sri Aurobindo College (Evening), Delhi University.

Saloni jain

I am Saloni Jain, joined VIDYA Bal Vihar when I was just 2.5 years old. A small child with big dreams. We are three sisters, and father the only earning member of the family, had to afford the education of all three school going children. As the educational expense increased, looking at my academic performance I was exempted from paying the fees which was Rs.100 at that time. I was an introvert child but because of various activities in the school by the time I reached 5th standard I grew to be confident human being. I cleared my 5th standard with flying colors and got admission in Lal Bhadur Shastri School. My education was sponsored by VIDYA. I bought various laurels to the school by participating in various inter school competitions. When I was in 12th standard my father expired but with the support of VIDYA I cleared my 12th standard with 84%, and 92 in economics. I joined Delhi University for graduation and simultaneously joined chartered accountant course. I cleared my CPT in Dec 2017, now I am CA inter student preparing for group II exam. Thank you VIDYA for all your support.

We are modernites	School
Pushpa	Modern School, Vasant Vihar, New Delhi (2016 – 17)
Kajal	Modern School, Barakhamba Road, New Delhi (2017-18)
Aryan lal	Modern School, Barakhamba, New Delhi (2018-19)
Sanjana	Modern School, Barakhamba Road, New Delhi (2019-20)
Aarav	Modern School, Barakhamba Road, New Delhi (2020-21)

PARTNERS AND WELL-WISHERS

We are extremely grateful to Panchshila Cooperative House Building Society for providing us such a beautiful premise since April 2005.

Bal Vihar project would not have been successful without the financial aid of Monsoon Trust, Sikri Trust, Doutesch Bank, Friends India Association, Germany and many individual donors. At present, the project is supported by PNB Housing Finance Ltd. The journey with PNB Housing Finance Ltd. started 6 years back in 2015-2016 with their loving support of VIDYA BAL Vihar School, at Panchsheel Park and in 2016-17 to VIDYA PTS School. We are delighted to find an outstanding partner and donor like PNB.

Thanks for the wonderful understanding of our ethos and mission and moral support and cooperation.

Bal Vihar Primary School (NUR-V), New Delhi

The BAL VIHAR School of VIDYA

Programs & Activities at Bal Vihar

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