MANA SCHOOLS

A Journey of Passion: From Silicon Valley to School Ownership in India

I am Raja Sekhar Abbu . I did my engineering from REC(NIT) Warangal . In 1998, I left my home country, India, for the United States, embarking on a career that saw me work at illustrious tech companies like Sun Microsystems, Yahoo, Tivo, and Intuit. These years in Silicon Valley brought me professional success and financial stability, but they also nurtured a deep-seated dream that had been with me since my childhood—a dream to run a school that not only offered quality education but also aimed to inculcate values, foster character, and produce responsible citizens.

Fast forward to 2015, I decided it was time to turn my dream into a reality. The decision to leave my high-paying job and return to India was not an easy one. I was away from my home country for 18 years, and the education landscape had transformed significantly. I had no prior experience in running a school, no mentors, and no family members who had ever ventured into the world of education. All I had was a burning passion and an unwavering intention to make a profound impact on the lives of children.

With resolute determination, I took a leap of faith and decided to acquire an existing school. As I settled into the owner's chair, I was well aware that I had a steep learning curve ahead. The first step was to understand the fundamentals of how a school operates in India. The invaluable education team I inherited from the previous owner became my greatest assets. They were my mentors, and I was their eager student.

Learning from my dedicated employees, I began to grasp the intricacies of running a school in India. The teachers, administrative staff, and support teams patiently introduced me to the world of curriculum development, student management, and infrastructure maintenance. They helped me appreciate the complexities of managing a school, from timetables and examination schedules to student-teacher relationships.

As I learned the ropes, I started to implement changes that aligned with my vision. My mission was to establish a school that catered to underprivileged children by offering affordable education. I also aimed to leverage technology to revolutionize the learning experience. These were not mere words; they were guiding principles that began to shape the school's identity.

In the realm of underprivileged education, we introduced low fees, making quality education accessible to children who might not otherwise have had the opportunity. We established scholarship programs, ensuring that no promising child would be left behind due to financial constraints.

Embracing technology, we launched interactive e-learning platforms, digital libraries, and smart classrooms to make education more engaging and accessible. We encouraged teachers to blend traditional teaching methods with innovative pedagogical approaches to improve learning outcomes.

In our journey, we faced challenges, encountered setbacks, and celebrated triumphs. The initial hurdles were daunting, but our collective commitment was unwavering. Over the years, our school began to see transformational changes, both in terms of academic performance and character development.

This journey from the corporate world to school ownership has been marked by a relentless pursuit of my childhood dream. My story is a testament to the power of passion and intention in shaping one's life. It is also a story of the remarkable dedication and wisdom of the employees who guided me on this journey.

Every day, as I walk through the corridors of our school, I am reminded that, sometimes, all it takes to bring about change is a dream, a dedicated team, and an unwavering belief in the power of education. I am proud to be a part of something so meaningful and fulfilling, and I'm excited to continue making a difference in the lives of the children we serve. This journey, though challenging, is a testament to the transformative potential that lies within each of us when we follow our hearts and strive to make the world a better place, one child at a time.

Enhancing Activity-Based Learning with YouTube: A Transformative Journey

In our quest to revolutionize education, we have harnessed the power of YouTube to improve activity-based learning. Every teacher at our school is now equipped with the skills to search, share, upload, and download videos, making it an integral part of our teaching approach. Here's how and why we embarked on this transformative journey.

Teachers are encouraged to incorporate YouTube videos related to their subject matter in the classroom. These videos serve as supplementary resources to enhance the learning experience. Additionally, teachers conduct activities based on the topics taught, reinforcing the concepts. To measure their performance, we've introduced a "teacher points" system, tracking the number of videos shown and activities conducted.

Every Wednesday is designated as an "activity day," during which teachers showcase their activities and record them. These videos are then uploaded to our school's YouTube channel, creating a repository of knowledge and innovation. With around 500 videos in our channel, we take pride in the collaborative effort of our dedicated educators.

This approach has not only increased student confidence and comprehension but has also allowed teachers across multiple branches to share their best practices. Our journey to harness YouTube as a tool for learning has been nothing short of remarkable, and it's a testament to our commitment to delivering quality education.

Activities Videos :

Empowering Learning through Google Worksheets: A Revolution in Education

In a groundbreaking move, our educational initiative integrated Google Worksheets to bolster children's understanding of concepts while offering teachers rapid feedback on student progress. Over Dasara holidays, 2000 tailor-made worksheets were meticulously crafted by teachers across various classes. This innovative approach not only engaged students during breaks but also significantly enhanced their comprehension by providing repeated practice.

For teachers unfamiliar with Google Quiz creation, specialized training was conducted, empowering them to design quizzes for immediate feedback on concept grasp. The quizzes not only deliver scores but also promptly reveal correct answers, nurturing a learning-from-mistakes culture among students.

Motivation played a pivotal role in this endeavor. Encouraging students to share their quiz scores on WhatsApp groups sparked a healthy competitive spirit, inspiring peers to actively participate and learn.

This groundbreaking collaboration between adeptly trained educators and enthusiastic students has transformed learning beyond the confines of the classroom. Not only did it keep kids engaged during holidays, but it also fostered an environment where learning is constant, engaging, and immensely rewarding.

Bridging the Learning Gap: Introducing Level Learning with Worksheets

The COVID-19 pandemic brought about unprecedented challenges in education. Two years of remote learning, often hindered by financial constraints and inadequate infrastructure, left students with significant gaps in their English and mathematics skills. Recognizing this critical issue, we embarked on a journey to reintroduce our students to the world of learning.

Our initial plan was to offer remedial classes, but we quickly realized that a mere one-hour session per day wouldn't be sufficient to help kids catch up. Furthermore, traditional textbooks and syllabi would likely overwhelm them, leading to frustration and disengagement.

In response, we came up with an innovative solution – Level Learning with Worksheets. We discarded grade-wise textbooks in favor of a more flexible approach. We conducted a common assessment for students from 1st to 5th grade and categorized them into three distinct levels for both mathematics and English.

This unique approach allowed us to form classes with students from various grades, all at the same skill level. We provided tailored worksheets and taught concepts according to each group's proficiency level. In addition, we conducted assessments specific to each level. This approach reignited students' interest in learning because they were taught at a level where they felt comfortable and confident.

The results of this experiment have been remarkable. Students have shown significant progress in bridging their learning gaps, regaining confidence, and developing a love for learning. Level Learning with Worksheets has not only provided a solution for the pandemic-induced learning challenges but has also rekindled the joy of education in our students' hearts.

Enhancing English Language Skills on a Budget: The Power of Listening

In today's globalized world, proficiency in the English language is a valuable asset, but not everyone has access to expensive language programs. At Mana Schools, we've taken an innovative and cost-effective approach to boost English language abilities, especially among young learners. Inspired by the way kids learn by watching English cartoons, we have harnessed the power of listening to improve language skills.

Our solution is simple yet highly effective: we record our teachers reading a variety of storybooks from the library and create videos that capture the magic of storytelling. These videos are then shared with our students as homework. After listening to the stories, the students are asked questions related to the story's content.

This approach encourages daily listening and comprehension practice. It's convenient for students and maximizes the use of teacher time, as the videos can be reused for different classes. The results have been remarkable, as students of all ages have shown significant improvement in their English language skills.

Our innovative approach is not only budget-friendly but also taps into the natural learning process of children, harnessing the power of storytelling to create a fun and effective language-learning experience. We believe that by making English accessible and enjoyable, we can empower more individuals to become confident English speakers.

Example videos : https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXgP9D_0g4ulUg6J2TSQiU0QRD5KOAKzP

Fostering Positive Change: The Introduction of Teacher and Student Pledges

In our school, we firmly believe that teachers play a pivotal role in shaping the lives of our students. To underscore this commitment and ensure that every day begins with a sense of purpose, we introduced Teacher and Student Pledges. These pledges are more than just a routine; they are a daily affirmation that leaves a lasting impression on the subconscious mind, guiding our actions throughout the day.

Recognizing that many people recite pledges or prayers without truly understanding their meaning, we took a unique approach. We created videos in our native language to explain the contents of the pledges, making them relatable and meaningful for all. This initiative was aimed at bridging the gap between rote repetition and genuine understanding.

Furthermore, our dedicated teachers took on the responsibility of imparting the essence of these pledges to our students. They made it their mission to ensure that every student comprehends the significance of the words they recite daily. Through engaging discussions and explanations, our students now grasp the values and principles embedded within the pledges.

By instilling a sense of purpose through these pledges, we have witnessed a positive transformation in our school community. Our teachers and students are not just going through the motions; they are internalizing the values and principles that will guide them towards a brighter future. The Teacher and Student Pledges have become a powerful daily ritual that reinforces our commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of our students.

Enhancing Kids' Reading and understanding Experience with Google Lens: Empowering Independent Learning

In the realm of education, the struggle to assist each student at their individual pace while catering to diverse linguistic abilities is a perennial challenge. To alleviate this, we introduced an innovative solution: leveraging Google Lens to transform how children engage with their learning materials.

For kids grappling with reading in English or their native language, the traditional approach often involves rote memorization and limited understanding. With Google Lens, children can capture images of their textbooks and access an array of possibilities. Not only can they hear the content in English multiple times, allowing for improved reading practice, but they can also translate and listen to it in their native language, fostering a deeper comprehension of the subject matter.

This initiative encourages independent learning, granting students the ability to grasp topics at their own pace. It serves as a personal tutor, available 24/7, nurturing a genuine interest in learning and strengthening their bond with education. Moreover, it assists teachers in explaining unfamiliar topics effectively.

By empowering kids to comprehend and explore academic content in their preferred language, Google Lens has significantly enriched the overall learning experience. It's a catalyst for fostering enthusiasm, understanding, and engagement, thereby nurturing a love for both learning and school.

Innovative Offline pen-drive Teaching Videos: Bridging the Educational Gap During COVID-19

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic brought about a seismic shift in the way education is delivered around the world. With the sudden closure of schools, teachers and students had to quickly adapt to the virtual classroom, primarily using platforms like Zoom. However, not all communities were prepared for this transition. In our school, we realized that many of our students' parents, who were maids and daily laborers, lacked the infrastructure and resources necessary for online learning. They had mobile phones but no internet at home, and mobile data was limited. This posed significant challenges for their children's education. To address this issue, we embarked on an innovative journey, developing a solution that became a game-changer in providing education to underserved students during these challenging times.

The Challenge

Zoom classes became the norm for many, but they were far from ideal for our students. The limitations of data plans and the absence of reliable internet access made it nearly impossible for children to attend regular online classes. A typical 2-hour Zoom session consumed a significant portion of their daily data allowance. As a result, each child could only participate for a limited time, leaving their siblings without access to education. Network issues and data limitations often disrupted the learning process. Our school recognized these issues from the outset of the pandemic and decided not to follow the Zoom route.

The Innovative Solution

We devised a groundbreaking solution - offline teaching videos. The concept was simple yet powerful: we recorded teachers as they conducted lessons in a traditional classroom environment, similar to what students would experience in an actual school. These recorded sessions were interactive, with teachers referencing textbooks, notebooks, and the blackboard. They guided students on where to take notes, provided context, and assigned daily homework. All these video lessons were then organized into a daily schedule, mirroring a regular school day with multiple periods. Additional activities such as yoga, dance, karate, and art classes were also included.

Implementation

To make this vision a reality, we faced numerous challenges. While teachers and school administrators were mostly at home, we were hard at work training teachers to create and transfer video files. We encountered issues concerning the need for robust computers with ample storage to handle the growing library of videos. We pooled resources by consolidating hard drives from multiple computers into one central storage unit. Each teacher was equipped with an SD card, a mobile device, and a microphone, and they were trained in how to create video content. They then delivered these videos to a central location for assembly into a weekly schedule that could be loaded onto a pen drive.

Teachers were also taught to curate supplementary video content and activities related to the topics they were covering. This combination of teaching videos and related resources made learning a holistic and engaging experience.

Impact

During the challenging COVID-19 period, our initiative achieved remarkable results. Inexperienced teachers transitioned into content creators, producing videos that were distributed to students in an innovative and resource-efficient manner. Looking back, we're amazed at the scale of this endeavor and the determination of our team, which achieved this feat with limited resources.

We take immense pride in the solution we created and implemented. It not only addressed the unique needs of students from marginalized backgrounds but also showcased the potential of human innovation in the face of adversity. Our dedication in the face of countless challenges allowed us to continue providing quality education to those who needed it most.

The Ideal Solution

Our offline pen-drive teaching video system has proven to be the ideal solution for students who lack the infrastructure for online learning. It allowed them to continue their education during the pandemic, ensuring that no child was left behind. Moreover, the results have been nothing short of astonishing, highlighting the resilience and adaptability of both students and teachers.

Conclusion

In the face of unprecedented challenges, innovation and dedication prevailed. The implementation of offline teaching videos during COVID-19 became a beacon of hope for underprivileged students, ensuring that their education continued uninterrupted. This initiative not only bridged the digital divide but also demonstrated the power of human ingenuity and collaboration in the most trying times. As we move forward, this model may serve as an inspiration for equitable and inclusive education, even beyond the pandemic.

Boosting Good Behavior: How Student Points Charts Transformed Our School

In our ongoing commitment to nurturing a positive school environment, we introduced a new initiative that's making waves – Student Points Charts. We firmly believe that what we measure, we can improve, and this belief led us to implement this innovative approach to enhance the good behavior of our students.

The concept is simple but effective. Every classroom now proudly displays a chart where teachers can award points to students for demonstrating exceptional behavior. Teachers actively observe students who exhibit qualities like kindness, responsibility, and helpfulness within the classroom or around the school premises. When a teacher witnesses a commendable act, they take a moment to explain what they observed and appreciate the student's good behavior, awarding them points on the chart.

This points system has ignited a sense of competition among the students, encouraging them to emulate positive behavior to earn points for themselves. It's a tangible way for them to understand the value of good behavior and its impact on the school community.

Since its implementation, we've witnessed a remarkable transformation in our students' behavior. Acts of kindness and responsibility have become more frequent, and the atmosphere in our school has grown even more nurturing and respectful. It's a testament to how measuring and rewarding positive behavior can make a significant difference in shaping our future leaders.

Embracing Digital Learning on a Shoestring Budget: Our School's Innovation

In an era where digital education is rapidly becoming the norm, our school faced a budgetary challenge. We aspired to integrate digital content into our classrooms, but the cost of traditional digital infrastructure was prohibitive. A typical projector room with sound systems could set us back a substantial 50,000 Rs or more, not to mention ongoing maintenance expenses. But where there's a will, there's a way, and our commitment to enriching our students' learning experiences led us to an innovative solution.

We decided to explore the world of low-end portable projectors. These cost-effective devices, priced at no more than 5,000 Rs, offered a cost-efficient means to introduce digital content into our classrooms. The beauty of this setup was its simplicity; a portable projector could be easily moved from one room to another, eliminating the need for costly infrastructure investment.

To further streamline the process, we equipped each projector with a USB port, allowing teachers to display content directly from a pendrive. This eliminated the need for complex wiring and costly sound systems, making digital content accessible to all our classrooms.

Crucially, we invested in teacher training, ensuring that our educators could confidently set up and operate these projectors in their own classrooms. The result? A school where digital content is seamlessly integrated into daily lessons, enhancing engagement and enriching the learning experience, all without breaking the bank.

Our journey to embrace digital learning on a budget has shown us that innovation and resourcefulness can lead to incredible outcomes. We may not have the grandest infrastructure, but our commitment to our students' education is unwavering, and with low-cost portable projectors, we've proven that digital learning is within reach for every school.

Enhancing Language Skills through English Practice Classes

In a world that is becoming increasingly interconnected, mastering English is a valuable skill. At our school, we recognized a concerning trend – students were learning English in the classroom but rarely using it outside due to their community environments. To address this, we introduced English practice classes, firmly believing that practice is the key to language proficiency.

Our initiative involved reshaping the school timetable to allocate two periods daily for English practice. In these sessions, teachers played the role of facilitators rather than traditional instructors. Their aim was to create an immersive environment for students to actively practice reading, writing, listening, and speaking in English. Various engaging activities and games were designed to hone these skills.

Consistency was key to our approach. By dedicating two hours daily throughout the year to language practice, we aimed to provide students with ample exposure. The results were astounding. The students' English language skills showed remarkable improvement. They not only became more fluent but also gained confidence in using the language.

Our English practice classes have proven that language proficiency thrives on practice, and by offering a space for consistent practice, we've empowered our students to master the English language, enhancing their prospects in an increasingly globalized world.

Enhancing Learning through Peer Learning: A Classroom Revolution

In the ever-evolving landscape of education, adapting to the diverse needs of young learners is crucial. With varying attention spans and the challenge of keeping the little ones engaged, we at our school decided to take an innovative approach – the introduction of peer learning.

We recognized the power of peer learning as a potent tool for enhancing understanding and retention. Research has shown that teaching a concept to someone else is an incredibly effective way to grasp it thoroughly. With this in mind, we restructured our classrooms.

Our classes are now organized into multiple groups where students sit together. After a 10 to 20-minute teacher-led explanation of a topic, we give students the opportunity to delve deeper through peer discussions. This approach offers a multitude of benefits.

Firstly, it caters to varying attention spans, as students become more engaged when learning from their peers. Additionally, students who struggled to grasp the concept during the initial teacher explanation now have a second chance to understand it from their classmates. Moreover, students who already understand the topic can reinforce their knowledge by explaining it to others.

The results have been astounding. Not only has this approach improved individual learning, but it has also fostered collaboration, critical thinking, and communication skills among students. It's a win-win, transforming our classrooms into dynamic hubs of knowledge sharing and growth. Peer learning, truly, is the future of education.

Nurturing Character: The Significance of Character Day Celebrations

In a world that often seems to be spinning faster than ever, the precious moments parents spend with their children can be scarce, especially for families facing economic challenges. In our school, where a significant portion of students come from low-income backgrounds, we recognized a unique opportunity and responsibility to instill valuable character traits in our young learners. Thus, we introduced Character Day Celebrations, an initiative aimed at fostering character development among our students.

The foundation of this initiative is the profound trust that children have in their teachers. These educators, who often serve as role models, have the power to impart values and virtues that may be challenging for parents to convey. With this in mind, we decided to utilize this trust to nurture character traits in our students.

Extensive research suggests that explicitly teaching the meaning of character traits and frequently using character language can significantly enhance character development in children. Armed with this knowledge, we embarked on a journey where each month was dedicated to a specific character trait. Our teachers conducted various activities in the classroom, focusing on that particular trait throughout the month.

The pinnacle of this initiative was the grand Cultural Programs held at the end of each month. These celebrations allowed our students to delve deep into the chosen character trait, reflecting on its significance in their lives. Preparing for these programs was an immersive experience that required students to not only understand the trait but also embody it.

Over the years, we've celebrated Respect Day, Grit Day, Gratitude Day, and Kindness Day, each bringing a unique character trait to the forefront of our students' minds. These celebrations have not only enriched their understanding but have also left an indelible mark on their hearts.

Character Day Celebrations have become an integral part of our school's culture, offering students a chance to grow not just academically but also as individuals with strong character. In the process, we are molding compassionate, resilient, and grateful individuals who will undoubtedly make a positive impact on their families, communities, and the world at large.

Respect day celebrations

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