Challenge and Selection

I recently visited a government school in my neighbourhood in order to learn about the situations  faced by the students there and the circumstances in which they study and live. Most of the  students in the school came from economically disadvantaged households where they faced  difﬁculties involving a lack of money and facilities necessary for daily needs such as food, and  healthcare. Like all other parents, the parents of these children want them to receive a good  education which is all rounded in nature to develop their personalities, mental abilities, talents and  physical abilities. However, it was observed that the students were unable to successfully develop  in most of these ﬁelds, which was a disappointment for the parents and students alike.

By using the storytelling tool, my aim was to interact with the students of the school in order to  discover what the essential problem was, that is, why they were unable to learn what was taught in  school effectively. By doing so, I intended to not only arrive at a solution for the issue at hand, but  to make the children aware that they must talk about their struggles and difﬁculties in order to  improve the situation. The usage of the tool involves talking as well as listening. By listening to the  children and by narrating to them some of my own educational experiences, I hoped to be able to  make them feel as though they could relate to my experiences as well. Also, by listening to the way  the students at my school tackle with various types of issues, they may feel inspired to do the  same for their welfare. Hence, I intended to show them the path they needed to take, for which  guidance through storytelling was ideal.

I chose the storytelling tool because in this situation I felt a need to show the children how they  must be independent and not fall victims to their difﬁculties. I wanted them to understand how  crucial it is to acquire the skill of taking action to bring about welfare, how to take initiative in the  ﬁrst place and how to carry it through. Storytelling is a powerful tool which often has the same  effect as a visual effect to a person with vivid imagination. When a story is told in an imaginative  and relatable manner, it captures the interest of the listener and effectively communicates a  message.

Application

When I asked the senior students about their problems, I learnt that their main issues were  concerned with the school infrastructure and the unenthusiastic approach of the staff. They spoke  about how a large number of teachers were not interested in teaching them, and as a result they  didn’t feel inclined to pay attention in classes. Some were also harsh, and punished them for failing  to do their work or causing disruption in class. This made them resentful and was an unsuccessful  method to discipline them. This was the main issue they were facing within the school grounds.

Apart from the staff, they spoke about their discomfort while sitting in class. The classrooms were  very small, while the number of students in each room was signiﬁcantly large. As a result, it was  stuffy and hot inside. There were two fans in each room which failed to keep the rooms ventilated.  A large number of the students could not concentrate on their lessons due to this.

The younger students were less troubled by the indoor classes, but were indignant about the  condition of the playground and sports ﬁeld. They felt that the ﬁeld was not properly maintained  and that hindered their sports. They also felt that the number of sports balls and rackets were  insufﬁcient and that not many people could play simultaneously. The school did not provide means  for proper coaching in sports, and the students who were passionate about sport did not have  opportunities to reﬁne their skills.

Due to poor teaching methods used, most students were forced to take tuitions in order to  understand their subjects. They did not see the advantage of attending classes which were  unproductive. The situations at their homes were difﬁcult too, there were constant ﬁnancial issues  and absence of an environment in which they could study. Many students were involved in helping  out their parents to make a living, and could not devote much time to their studies.

I listened to what they shared with me, and I then shared with them some of my own experiences. I  told them about my school where we too faced issues occasionally (though they were fewer and  much less urgent) and that we always looked after our needs on our own. This students of my  school came together and united to form a student council. We held frequent student council  meetings in which we discussed matters of concern and came up with solutions for them. We then  communicated our concerns to the school authorities through student representatives along with  the solutions we came up with. The authorities immediately addressed the issues at hand and took  action accordingly. It had to be addressed, since the students had gathered together to present the  problems which were common for all of them.

Insight

The children were awed at the idea, and were awakened to the importance of taking active  initiative as a constructive means to solve a problem. They were not used to speaking up for  themselves or speaking about their troubles, but this story was an insight for them. I, too, learnt a  lot from them. I saw the strength they had and how they used it to deal with burdens in their lives. I  was inspired from them too, I saw the importance of courage in life and why it is necessary to not  give up and always be hopeful. It also made me a lot more aware about the unfortunate  circumstances in which some of us live, and made me compassionate about their pain.

Approach

I feel that the storytelling tool was crucial in this environment, and was ideal for the activity I had  planned and the intention I had in mind. I was successfully able to reach my goal and communicate  my story to the students, who greatly beneﬁtted from it. Apart from their beneﬁt, I was pleased to  beneﬁt from it myself, since I had learnt some important values from them, including hard work,  diligence and courage. They had learnt the signiﬁcance of independence and action from my story.  Hence, there had been a mutual exchange of learning, which gave invaluable insight to both the  parties involved. I feel that I will use this tool in the future also, after this practical experience of its  usage, in similar circumstances. From this experience, I realised that storytelling connects the  people involved at an emotional level, which is the essence of its power, and by gaining this  experience, I will be prepared with better stories and ideas in the future.


Challenge and Selection I recently visited a government school in my neighbourhood in order to learn about the situations faced by the students there and the circumstances in which they study and live . Most of the students in the school came from economically disadvantaged households where they faced difﬁculties involving a lack of money and facilities necessary for daily needs such as food , and healthcare . Like all other parents , the parents of these children want them to receive a good education which is all rounded in nature to develop their personalities , mental abilities , talents and physical abilities . However , it was observed that the students were unable to successfully develop in most of these ﬁelds , which was a disappointment for the parents and students alike . By using the storytelling tool , my aim was to interact with the students of the school in order to discover what the essential problem was , that is , why they were unable to learn what was taught in school effectively . By doing so , I intended to not only arrive at a solution for the issue at hand , but to make the children aware that they must talk about their struggles and difﬁculties in order to improve the situation . The usage of the tool involves talking as well as listening . By listening to the children and by narrating to them some of my own educational experiences , I hoped to be able to make them feel as though they could relate to my experiences as well . Also , by listening to the way the students at my school tackle with various types of issues , they may feel inspired to do the same for their welfare . Hence , I intended to show them the path they needed to take , for which guidance through storytelling was ideal . I chose the storytelling tool because in this situation I felt a need to show the children how they must be independent and not fall victims to their difﬁculties . I wanted them to understand how crucial it is to acquire the skill of taking action to bring about welfare , how to take initiative in the ﬁrst place and how to carry it through . Storytelling is a powerful tool which often has the same effect as a visual effect to a person with vivid imagination . When a story is told in an imaginative and relatable manner , it captures the interest of the listener and effectively communicates a message . Application When I asked the senior students about their problems , I learnt that their main issues were concerned with the school infrastructure and the unenthusiastic approach of the staff . They spoke about how a large number of teachers were not interested in teaching them , and as a result they did n’t feel inclined to pay attention in classes . Some were also harsh , and punished them for failing to do their work or causing disruption in class . This made them resentful and was an unsuccessful method to discipline them . This was the main issue they were facing within the school grounds . Apart from the staff , they spoke about their discomfort while sitting in class . The classrooms were very small , while the number of students in each room was signiﬁcantly large . As a result , it was stuffy and hot inside . There were two fans in each room which failed to keep the rooms ventilated . A large number of the students could not concentrate on their lessons due to this . The younger students were less troubled by the indoor classes , but were indignant about the condition of the playground and sports ﬁeld . They felt that the ﬁeld was not properly maintained and that hindered their sports . They also felt that the number of sports balls and rackets were insufﬁcient and that not many people could play simultaneously . The school did not provide means for proper coaching in sports , and the students who were passionate about sport did not have opportunities to reﬁne their skills . Due to poor teaching methods used , most students were forced to take tuitions in order to understand their subjects . They did not see the advantage of attending classes which were unproductive . The situations at their homes were difﬁcult too , there were constant ﬁnancial issues and absence of an environment in which they could study . Many students were involved in helping out their parents to make a living , and could not devote much time to their studies . I listened to what they shared with me , and I then shared with them some of my own experiences . I told them about my school where we too faced issues occasionally ( though they were fewer and much less urgent ) and that we always looked after our needs on our own . This students of my school came together and united to form a student council . We held frequent student council meetings in which we discussed matters of concern and came up with solutions for them . We then communicated our concerns to the school authorities through student representatives along with the solutions we came up with . The authorities immediately addressed the issues at hand and took action accordingly . It had to be addressed , since the students had gathered together to present the problems which were common for all of them . Insight The children were awed at the idea , and were awakened to the importance of taking active initiative as a constructive means to solve a problem . They were not used to speaking up for themselves or speaking about their troubles , but this story was an insight for them . I , too , learnt a lot from them . I saw the strength they had and how they used it to deal with burdens in their lives . I was inspired from them too , I saw the importance of courage in life and why it is necessary to not give up and always be hopeful . It also made me a lot more aware about the unfortunate circumstances in which some of us live , and made me compassionate about their pain . Approach I feel that the storytelling tool was crucial in this environment , and was ideal for the activity I had planned and the intention I had in mind . I was successfully able to reach my goal and communicate my story to the students , who greatly beneﬁtted from it . Apart from their beneﬁt , I was pleased to beneﬁt from it myself , since I had learnt some important values from them , including hard work , diligence and courage . They had learnt the signiﬁcance of independence and action from my story . Hence , there had been a mutual exchange of learning , which gave invaluable insight to both the parties involved . I feel that I will use this tool in the future also , after this practical experience of its usage , in similar circumstances . From this experience , I realised that storytelling connects the people involved at an emotional level , which is the essence of its power , and by gaining this experience , I will be prepared with better stories and ideas in the future .