Tina Olyai finds innovative methods to infuse knowledge and train students by encompassing different values, beliefs, and a good social attitude. She has been successful in implementing strategies and innovative programs at her school. The students have benefitted from it very much.
At Little Angel High School (LAHS), Gwalior, we strongly believe in empowering our students both academically and morally. Keeping this in mind, we introduced Junior Youth Empowerment Program (JYEP) a community-based program that aims to empower youngsters aged 11-14 to be actively involved in social service activities in their communities along with their regular education. The program is based on the belief that junior youth are at a critical stage in their development and that value based education coupled with engagement in social action can help them develop knowledge, skills, and attitudes needed to turn into responsible and productive members of the society.
This program was introduced at LAHS Gwalior in the year 2006. The need arose from a situation wherein the students were unable to neither express themselves confidently nor enhance their capabilities in regular academic classes. Since JYEP brings out creativity as well as enhances the capabilities of the students in innumerable ways, this would surely add to their overall performance. Hence we introduced it at LAHS Gwalior.
The JYEP program contributes to the conceptual and theoretical discussion. Furthermore, it adds and explores some of the practical implications and applications of the assumption of a noble human nature in the empowered junior youth. Research has shown that JYEP has a positive impact on the students who participate in the program.
Students have benefitted from the program in many ways. They have been able to develop moral reasoning ability which is really useful in their lives. The aim is to enhance and strengthen their moral values and the reasoning. It has also enabled the children to develop a sense of purpose and commitment to the service they provide through the program. In present times, many children are not able to show a sense of commitment to various duties and actions and there are several reasons for the sorry state of affairs. This program has brought a huge change in the mindset of children. There is an improvement in children’s social skills and it helped them in doing activities which promoted teamwork, communication, and conflict resolution skills.
The initiative has also played a key role in promoting activities that enhanced literacy and numeracy skills of the students. This was done by conducting various competitions and establishing opportunities for the students to develop their skills. Various clubs are constituted and also programs conducted regularly. The program is also successful in increasing resilience among children. Mindfulness and character building exercises are brought up by the school staff to help children develop the ability of being resilient. It helps them in many situations in life.
Overall this innovative program which empowers our junior youth at school is truly helping them develop important skills and attitudes that can help them become responsible and productive members of society at large.
Junior Youth Empowerment Program promotes team work, communication, conflict resolution skills, character building and aids in learning academic subjects as well
