Riverside Learning Center – A revolutionary school!

How to explain how dreams come true? We have to believe that when we set a goal and are in no rush to achieve it, the Universe mysteriously conspires in our favor. Some people have the ambition to visit places like New York, Paris, Disney and other common names in travel itineraries. I don’t exclude these places from my list, but my ambition is very different. The places that attract me are not always touristic and are often unknown to most. At the top of my wish list was Riverside School, an institution that inspired me many years ago when I was formulating my Peace Education program. I believe that what attracts us has a lot of strength and even as the years go by, that energy does not diminish.

As soon as I was certain about my trip to India to participate in the Global Forum, I felt it was time to get to know up close the pedagogical practices developed over 20 years by this school in the city of Ahmedabad, in the state of Gujarat. 

I contacted the school team, which welcomed me with open arms for a 3-day immersion where I was able to observe classes, talk to teachers, coordinators and really feel how the pedagogy they develop there has an incredible impact and transforms children and teenagers into more empathetic, compassionate and proactive human beings in their community.

The school facilities are open, without unnecessary walls or walls that limit the classrooms and separate students from nature. The windows are large and many classes take place outside. Trees, birds, peacocks, monkeys are often seen in the place.

The trees were integrated into the construction and are all identified by signs and very well cared for.

The environments are organized, open and clear, we feel the presence of art in the small details. 

The school has 400 students and 25% are on Right to Education scholarships, the surrounding community and children of employees and support staff also benefit from scholarships.

Simran Bhan was my “guardian angel”; she, along with Shruti, organized my visit and took care of all the details during my immersion.

When I arrived in the morning, the first activity I participated in was what they call “Conglom”. In a circle, sitting on the floor, the students plan the week’s activities with their teachers.

One of the practices carried out in the circle is the expression of appreciation from both peers and teachers. Constructive criticism or feedback is also shared, always accompanied by suggestions for strategies to help the colleague improve that behavior or correct any mistakes. For example: One of the observations from a student to her friend: “When you started the period, you were more focused, you did everything carefully. Then you started to get distracted and talk more during class and this hindered your performance. I suggest you sit in another place, closer to the front to avoid the temptation to talk during class.” Another observation: “You are a great friend, you helped me when I had difficulties, you are funny and very loyal.” This practice promotes dialogue and empathy among colleagues. They are praised and criticized, they receive advice openly and without diminishing them or simply pointing out each other’s flaws. The intention is to always bring the best out of each situation. 

Among the biggest difficulties we have today among adults in domestic life, with children or partners, in professional and social life is communication. Genuinely listening and being heard is a great difficulty. We talk a lot but we don’t always manage to make ourselves understood, advice turns into an insult, criticism is quickly rebutted and everyone becomes defensive or worse, attacking. This meeting was a lesson in peaceful, orderly, empathetic and inspiring communication. If we could all practice dialogue, disagree gracefully and maintain empathy in our relationships, the world would not be divided and polarized as it is. Creating this safe space, where everyone can speak up and listen, is fundamental to the educational process, at school and beyond.

Illustrious visitors.

Mahatma Gandhi, a present inspiration!

All environments are harmonious and with decoration details made by the children.

Panel with reading tips

The empowerment of children and young people is in the school’s DNA, it is a co-creation work carried out by a super aligned and very dedicated team.

The school’s vision includes fundamental values ​​that are called the 5 Es: Empathy, Excellence, Ethics, Elevation and Evolution. This is not just part of the wall decoration, all these values ​​are practiced and felt in all areas of the institution.

A Learning Experience

Children learn through direct experience and observation, like in this class where they were learning about mammals and the teachers brought a baby goat so they could see, feel, touch and observe the details. The children’s excitement at receiving a visit from this little animal was beautiful! My childish soul was thrilled with this experience!

The philosophy of Non-violence and Gandhi’s strategies are taught from an early age. I had the pleasure of participating in one class with Vinita Modi, a visual artist and educator who developed the Wellspring Curriculum. She has worked at the school for many years and emphasizes the importance of developing critical thinking. Considering the school’s guidelines, character development is as important as the development of skills and knowledge. In essence, they follow a model of development and application of a simplified design cycle to solve problems: Feel-Imagine-Do-Share, that resulted in a deep understanding of the need for the school’s ecosystem, including its employees and management in the co-creation of protocols, behaviors, decisions and practices through dialogue between teachers, students and management. Among its main inspirations are pedagogical philosophies and models that include Dr. Howard Gardner, Project Zero, the schools of Reggio Emilia. IDEO and perhaps most importantly, Mahatma Gandhi. The Wellspring curriculum is divided into Modules and Themes such as Freedom, Conflict, Truth and Excellence, Creativity and Worldview.

Here is just a brief overview of this incredible material that will certainly be a source of inspiration for future actions in our Education for Peace program. I am very grateful for the opportunity to be able to study from it because due to the kindness of the management I was able to purchase a volume. It is already among the treasures in my study library and will be put into practice soon! Namaste Riverside!

This inspirational material introduces its content from the poem “Where the mind is without fear” by Rabindranath Tagore. The curriculum includes the formation of critical thinking, ethical and human values ​​that are desirable and are the core of classes with children and young people. 

Sport and Cooperation 

Physical activities are very important and cooperation rather than competition is encouraged. Individual qualities such as speed, strategy and strength are important, but team spirit is more valued than individual performance. 

The snack was served in a calm, pleasant environment and always with a smile!

I took the opportunity to try typical dishes from the local culture. I’m always surprised by the creativity and richness of flavors.

There are many peacocks nearby, they fly freely and from time to time we find their beautiful feathers on the ground.

The children were preparing for the end-of-year theater performance and the theater teachers and those responsible for the group accompanied class rehearsal. 

It was a delight to watch the children having fun and expressing themselves with such ease. Theater, music, drawing, painting and art in general are very important in the school’s curriculum. There are cultural moments, art workshops and many experimental activities during classes. 

Classrooms are organized and adapted to the size of the children, groups are small. Children sit on the floor and also on chairs during activities, there are always two or more teachers with each group.

They are encouraged to express themselves, maintaining an attitude of attention and respect, without leaving spontaneity aside. At all times they are observed in relation to their body posture, when attention decreases they are taken back through observations and advice from the teachers, the dialogue takes place firmly but with affection.

Mathematics classes are very practical, teaching students to understand the use of numerical concepts in daily life that are sometimes not mentioned in common curricula. Information, insights and conclusions are exercised and clarified at all times. 

Presentation of students at a public school in the community

I had the opportunity to go with a class to a presentation at Sarasvati public school. They were prepared to give a presentation about the importance of recycling and how to separate waste correctly. The school visited was very simple, all the students and teachers were barefoot and there the group integrated with the other students with a lot of empathy, respect and affection. It was beautiful to see the harmony and spirit of integration present. I was very excited to participate in this moment.

The reality in India is not at all glamorous for less privileged children, the simple fact of receiving educational support from such incredible schools as Riverside is already an event that generates empathy and solidarity in the community. 

Despite of being an elite school, Riverside students have some obligations that are deeply rooted in character building, for example, they are responsible for cleaning the school bathrooms and learn to value environments, cleanliness and organization from an early age. Adding a respectful look at employees and the opportunities they receive for being there.

Among the influences mentioned for the creation of the curriculum are Mahatma Gandhi, Paulo Freire, Montessori and Krishnamurti. Inspiring beings who not only influence the academic part but also the ethical parameters for a liberating and revolutionary education.

The training and meeting rooms are at the top and the treebranches make the shade and view even more enchanting. Here we see Simran Bhan, who accompanied me during my immersion period. She organized the classes that I could attend, my lunch and organized the moments for conversations with the team of teachers and coordination.

Peace Education Workshop with a group of teachers from Riverside school.

The connection we had during my visit was very good, the team is very open, curious and has a genuine interest in learning. In addition to offering a Peace Education workshop, I made myself available to help them implement contemplation and mindfulness practices in their classes and this generated interest in the group to delve deeper into the subject. We held another online meeting to follow up and share a little more about the benefits of practicing meditation and metabavana. Hopefully more meetings will take place, this learning exchange is just beginning.

Nothing better than sharing what we know with interested people!

Special photo with Deepa, School Leader and Kiran, Founder and creator of this wonderful school.

I close this narrative by thanking everyone who was involved in preparing my immersion and the openness that the team had in welcoming me, answering my questions, explaining the details of how the school is organized and sharing the excellence of their work with the students, teachers and community. It was an honor for me to be among such visionary, innovative people who promote education with the highest levels of ethics, empathy and spirit of service. I hope to return many times. There is a lot to be learned at this school.

I wish I could go back to the time when I was a child and start learning everything all over again in an institution like Riverside. It would be an upgrade in my karma for sure!

The love of learning, educating and expanding knowledge is a path of no return!

My affection and admiration for this special team, you all will forever be in my heart. 

Namaste team/family Riverside!

Regina Proença