JAY JOSHI
After-school activities has become a prominent part of a young student’s life over the past few years. Learning a skill of two or taking a class to pursue a hobby after school is no doubt, a cool thing to do. In line with this, many millenials have hopped from class to class in order to turn themselves into better, multi-talented individuals. Indeed, many of us have thought that hopping from class to class after school is a small price to pay compared to the knowledge and joy it brings when we learn something new.
However, young learners today may not have to rush from one class to another, thanks to a new trend which enables the students to partake in multiple activities at one spot. A number of establishments in Goa have now recognised that offering a wide range of classes in different disciplines under one roof saves a lot f hassle for kids as well as parents.
“Earlier, we used to organise summer camps, where we offered activities such as theatre, craft, singing, dance etc, and a number of parents enquired whether such activities could be held on regular days as well. This prompted us to setup an activity centre which will offer a range of activities under one roof.” informs Anwesha Singbal, partner in Majja activity centre which is coming up in Margao in the days ahead.
Growing competition and mounting costs of living have today led both parents to work, and it is difficult for them to pay attention to children after school. Hence, many parents make an effort to keep their kids busy in various activities. Sensing this, a number of schools too keep the children engaged with after-school activities.
“At SS Samiti’s Gurukul, Kavale, we encourage kids to pursue hobby classes such as drawing, singing, and learn musical instruments such as tabla, harmonium etc.” informed Damayanti Gawas from Ponda. “As parents get less and less time to spend with their kids, it has become important for schools and activity centres to impart good values to children.” she notes.
While a number of schools around the state have begun offering such activities, private establishments too are making their best efforts to provide interesting and engaging exercises for kids.
“At Educare, we carer not only to art and craft learning, but also provide training to develop communication skills, handwriting courses, and mathematical training with various aids.” informs Arathi Mayenkar, proprietor of Educare in Panaji. Apart from engaging the kids, Educare is also addressing the issue on the parents’ side. “Majority of the kids in our classes come because they are interested, but there are many who are dropped here as their parents seek to keep the kids busy till they return from work. We are making an effort to enable parents to understand the importance of spending time with their kids.” informs Mayekar.
Rashmi Kamat, a parent from Panaji who also organises craft activities for kids herself, avers that the new model of ‘everything under one roof’ and classes offering single activities have diverse advantages of their own. “If there is an expert specialised in a particular area, people who want to focus on that particular discipline will choose that single class over others. On the other hand, activity centres which give everything under one roof are a boon for working parents. Also, these establishments can have teams of experts. In that case, it is an added advantage.”
Apart from basic craftworks, music, dance etc, many activity centres are making an effort to add value with other out-of-the box activities.
“Most schools that have after-school activities will have music, dance, and craft. But at Majja, we venture into theatre, and storytelling.” informs Anwesha Singbal. “Apart from teaching various activities to kids, the core value of Majja is to teach the kids about Goan language and culture. With increasing intrusion of technology and global content in their lives, it has become important to teach today’s kids about our traditionals stories and cultural practices that keep us rooted and give us a sense of who we are.” she states.
