Balakairali turns proficiency icon

ALAPPUZHA: Balakairali, the 19-year-old preschool learning project, continues to inspire Mararikulam kids. It now trains 350 children in 11 wards of the Mararikulam South panchayat with 15,600 families to become future achievers. They earn confidence and achieve accolades at competitions as it focuses on more than "72 capabilities ingrained in a soul." Teachers nurture their talents in art forms like painting, drawing, clay modelling, paper-cutting, theatre and dance. They say these students have performed well in higher schools compared to those from the conventional system.

Panchayat president Indira Thilakan said their primary aim was to prepare them to face the competitive world.  "The idea came from people in the gram sabha," she said. "Though parents had their doubts initially, the project gradually won their trust." The trainers are all qualified pre-primary teachers, drawing a monthly honorarium of Rs 2,500.  They integrate various subjects with different modules.
For instance, when they teach poetry, they will enact the sequences. Sometimes they use sloganeering style to draw the attention of kids. 

Through continuous training, the kids learn to use this platform to build their signature.  "When they engage in various activities beyond academics, they will start thinking of their instincts," she said.  Project coordinator Mohandas feels the students make panchayat proud. They brought the state's best lower primary school award to Government LP School, Preethikulngara. The winners of recent Aksharamuttam quiz competition were also Balakairali products.