Sankara Vidyalaya in Podili to promote Sanatana Dharma

Kurnool:The Kanchi Kamakoti Peetham has launched an innovative educational centre, Sri Kanchi Kamakoti Sankara Vidyalaya, as part of its new initiative, the Sanatana Dharma Seva Gramam near Ongole in Podili.

The aim is to foster the values of Sanatana Dharma among youth.

Spanning 31 acres, this centre combines modern English-medium education with foundational Vedic studies and skill development in sports and arts along with a strong focus on value-based education to shape well-rounded individuals. While many traditional Vedic schools focus solely on religious studies, this institution is specially noted in Andhra Pradesh for blending formal education with value-based learning.

The school currently serves 44 students across grades 6 & 7. It provides the latest infrastructure and modern amenities at relatively subsidized cost structures, regardless of caste or religion.

The campus has a Brahmin boys’ hostel for students who wish to pursue Stotras and Smartham, while developing themselves in modern education.

More such hostels to provide access to spiritual learning to students from all walks of life are contemplated.

The entity boasts of a well-equipped school building apart from the ongoing construction of staff quarters and hostels and plans for a Skill Development Centre, a Health Centre, and a 300-cattle strong cow goshala.

"Our mission is to integrate core Sanatana Dharma values into modern education by preparing students as holistic individuals and global citizens, who excel academically and spiritually and contribute to the overall development of the society," said the school’s director, Ashwini Kumar.

The school also emphasizes spoken Sanskrit and plans to set up labs for mathematics and robotics. Apart from a conventional library and a computer lab, the school is in the process of setting up its digital library and smartboard-based classroom teaching methods.

While students interested in Vedic studies receive specialized lessons in the mornings and evenings, outside regular school hours, all students in the school receive value-based education and Bhagavad Gita classes.

The administration has hired some well-experienced faculty from various schools and is increasing its faculty base, by drawing talents from excellent schools across the country to provide quality English-medium instruction as also skills courses in Vocal and Instrumental Music, Art and Craft, etc.

Apart from these programmes, the school also plans to develop the students' skills in Telugu and Sanskrit literature. Admissions involve an entrance exam and joint interviews with the school’s director and principal.