Author Archives: MediaTeam

Job Fair for specially-abled: 5 students from Study Hall DOSTI get offers

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Lucknow: 5 students from DOSTI school were offered jobs at a job fair for Persons with Disabilities organised by Youth4jobs Foundation in collaboration with CII, IDBN and Axis Bank at Study Hall School campus on Tuesday. Over 100 specially-abled persons were offered jobs at the fair. The event was a success as 200 people attended the fair and more than 500 registered. 30 corporate representatives from various sectors, like Hospitality, Retail, IT/ITeS, Banking & Finance, BPO, Travel & Tourism, E-Commerce, Manufacturing etc., participated.

Sanskar, a student of DOSTI school, was offered a job at Zomato Zia. Sanskar is a special child with intellectual disability, who joined DOSTI school in 2014. He has completed his class 12th in 2019 through NIOS. Last year, Sanskar also completed his diploma in Learning Based AEMP from AIMS Media. Like Sanskar, 4 other students from DOSTI have been shortlisted and will receive training in their respective fields.

Tarannum Khan, Head-mistress of DOSTI school said, “At DOSTI, our focus is on life outcomes and not just learning outcomes. We want our children to integrate as empowered individuals in society. This is a great initiative by Youth4Jobs for specially-abled people. Many of our students have registered and have been offered jobs already.” DOSTI is a unit of Study Hall Educational Foundation (SHEF) and has been working for the last 17 years to educate special children according to pace, realize their best potential and become independent individuals.

Meera Shenoy, founder of Youth4Jobs said, “It is well established that the inclusion of persons with disabilities not only creates diversity but also makes business sense. This job fair is thus an excellent opportunity for corporations to meet, interview and employ this job ready talent pool, who add value to the organization for enhancing creativity, productivity, passion and employee retention.” 

Representatives from  Youth4Jobs and Corporate HRs will also offer services like Employability Assessments, post selection handholding and career Guidance and Counseling for job interviews to the candidates.

International Yoga Day: SHEF-HCL Uday organises Yog Shivir in 16 govt schools

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Lucknow: Celebrating the International Yoga Day, SHEF-HCL UDAY teachers organized a four day Yog Shivir, in 16 government schools. 17th to 21st of June, yoga gurus were invited to the schools to sensitize children with yoga practices in schools.
Shikha Singh, project manager, SHEF-HCL Uday program said, “This is the first time most of the children are learning about yoga and its benefits. It is really important for children to start practicing a healthy lifestyle and what better than yoga.”
Students along with their parents participated and enjoyed Yog Shivir and learned a lot from experts. This 4-day yoga camp was successfully conducted by SHEF volunteers and government teachers, who instilled
zeal for yoga in the children. Children of 16 schools and their parents enthusiastically participated on this Yoga Day.
Since 2018, SHEF partnered with HCL Foundation and government of Uttar Pradesh to improve the learning outcomes in 16 government schools across Lucknow. SHEF-HCLF understands that education is critical for overall development of personality and attitude of children by bringing positive changes in a child’s life.

Convocation ceremony of Skill Development Program held: 120 students felicitated

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Itaunja: “Next step after skill development, connecting beneficiaries to employment opportunities. This joint collaboration is a noble initiative and enables high quality skill development opportunities to the rural areas,” says Ram Asrey Singh, the Deputy Director, Uttar Pradesh Skill Development Mission who was the  Chief guest for the Convocation ceremony of Skill Development Program was held at Laxmi Smriti Vidyadaan Sansthan (LSVS) at Itaunja on Saturday.

120 students were felicitated for completion of three courses – Beautician, Tailoring and Computer Operator. Majority of the students enrolled in the course were young women and girls from 10 villages near Itaunja.

The program is being jointly conducted by Laxmi,Smriti Vidyadaan Sansthan, Study Hall Educational Foundation (SHEF) and Jan Shikshan Sansthan (under the ministry of skill development & entrepreneurship), Lucknow. Dr Urvashi Sahni, Founder and CEO of SHEF, Mr IB Singh, Senior Advocate at Allahabad High Court’s Lucknow Bench and Mr Anil Kumar Srivastava, Director of Jan Shikshan Sansthan were among the dignitaries present at the ceremony.

“We now need to focus on finding good employment opportunities for the girls and women who have completed the course. It is also the responsibility of men and boys present here to support and encourage their sisters, daughters and mothers in order for them to excel and become independent,” said Dr Urvashi Sahni.

Mr I B Singh, also the patron of Laxmi Smriti Vidyadaan Sansthan said, “I am grateful to SHEF and Jan Shikshan Sansthan for collaborating with us. This program is a boon for my village, especially for the girls and women. I have seen young girls traveling from far and bringing their sisters and mothers along from nearby villages and I feel my dream of educating children, especially girls so that they can get employed is coming true.”

All three courses have been a huge success. The program was launched in November 2021 and will soon start the next batch.

Study Hall Educational Foundation hosts its 7th Nursery Teacher Training convocation ceremony

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Study Hall Educational Foundation (SHEF) organized the 7th convocation ceremony of its Nursery and Primary Teacher Training (NTT) course. Priya Kakkar, Director of NTT program at SHEF welcomed the gathering and shared the success stories of 18 graduating teachers. She said, “This is an apprenticeship model of training that empowers teachers to acquire teaching skills suited to the needs of the children of the 21st century.” She added, “My heart swells with pride year after year when I share the success stories of the teachers graduating and carving a niche for themselves in the society. I wish that they carry

with them the unique mission of shef and spread it far and wide.” 

Dr Urvashi Sahni, Founder and CEO of SHEF congratulated the teachers and said, “Teachers have the power to direct change, to mold minds and transform people and the society. As teachers, it is our duty to empower students and to educate them for gender equality and social justice to make them active democratic citizens and caring changemakers.”

The NTT trainees are placed in various reputed institutions across Lucknow, such as Seth MR Jaipuria, Kunskapsskolan, Colvin Taluqdaar, Prep School, Study Hall School, Study Hall Educational Foundation, Prerna Girls school, CMS, VIBGYOR (Pune), DPS, City International School. The courses were run at two centers, one at Gomti Nagar and one at Vidyasthali School in Malihabad.

Garima, one of the graduating students shared, “We actually follow so much that we have been  taught here, the Bloom’s taxonomy is an intrinsic part of our lesson planning, concrete to abstract, and so many more concepts now resonate with me when I am actually teaching children.”

Ritu, from Malihabad said, “I have not only acquired many teaching skills but I am observing many beautiful changes in myself. I am much more confident and proactive now.”

Vanshika, “NTT course helped me learn the methods of planned teaching through play and experiments. It gave me the opportunity to learn advanced teaching methods.”

The families of the graduating teachers were present at the ceremony. Dance, poems and stories were the medium chosen by the outgoing batch to share about their one year journey and enriching experiences at Study Hall School. The event ended with a vote of thanks.

International Women’s Day: Boys and men need to change for us to achieve gender justice

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Lucknow: Study Hall Educational Foundation (SHEF) took a very interesting approach for celebrating International Women’s Day on March 8, 2022. They invited an all-men panel in the 42nd Edition of Join the Discussion series and put the focus back on boys and men to answer the question – Why should men give up power and change? 

Anand Chitravanshi, Chief Operating Officer of SHEF said, “This grave inequality cannot and should not exist in a working democracy. Such inequality can only be corrected by a social, political and cultural revolution. As architects, perpetrators, and perpetrators of patriarchy, men need to take a principled egalitarian stand and choose their actions mindfully. The fight for equality will not seek mens’ consent. Men must use their privilege to advocate for women’s dignity, freedom, rights and autonomy. Men must participate in house work and raise their voice against other men who harass, molest and objectify women. Fathers must become role models for their sons.’

Anshumali Sharma, State Liaison Officer, NSS – Uttar Pradesh said, “Patriarchy is the cause of all gender-based violence as it gives unlimited power to men. If we are to create a gender just world, it is important that we address men and boys. We can empower women but if we leave men out of this conversation, we will never achieve equality.”

Founder President and CEO of SHEF Dr Urvashi Sahni, said “We live in a democracy, where every citizen has equal rights. But we have left half the population without that freedom. We have created a society for our daughters that is cruel and unfair to them. And if we are to bring change then we must address men and boys and educate them to deconstruct the patriarchal structures and construct an egalitarian one instead.”

Shivpoojan who is a class 11 student at Prerna Boys School added, “Change begins at home. Men and boys need to change their mindset towards women and girls. They need to understand that we all are equal and have equal rights.”

Ankur Mishra, a teacher at Prerna Boys School said that, “At home, women are restricted by their fathers, brothers and husbands. We must also understand that patriarchy also harms men. We are overburdened by responsibilities. Why not educate, support women and empower and consider them as equals? Our constitution says every citizen is equal, so why are we limiting the lives of women?”

Sharing her feedback for the panel discussion, Sapna Bharti, a government school teacher from Sitapur said, “Women need to raise their boys in the right manner. Teach them how to do household chores, share the burden that usually their sisters would bear. ”

Study Hall School hosts the 9th edition of it’s Model United Nations Virtually

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Lucknow: Study Hall School hosted a two-day Virtual Model United Nations (SHMUN) Human Rights Council on 12 and 13 February 2022. This was the 9th edition of SHMUN hosted by Study Hall where students from prestigious schools in Lucknow were tasked with solving global issues through research, drafting, lobbying and debate to pass a suitable resolution. The 9th edition of SHMUN discussed the escalating humanitarian crisis in Myanmar with the arrival of Military rule and third wave of Covid.

Dron Pande, a student of class 11 at Study Hall said, “Study Hall’s Model UN this year was action packed. We hosted four committees this year and all of them were a huge success. For me, as a 11 grader, organizing a Model UN was a monumental task and I was grateful for the support from the teachers. This was an amazing experience and we hope to hold many more events in the same fashion.” Dron was the Director General of SHMUN this year.

Principal Meenakshi Bahadur said, “Once again Study Hall’s Model UN was a huge success. It’s also a great opportunity for students from other schools to work together, identify the issues and find solutions for the agenda they are assigned.”

Students from various schools like La Martiniere Girls’ School and La Martiniere College, Prerna Girls School participated in the conference. Keeping in view the model of the UN, the event was planned for two days to accommodate all the procedures that could be followed explicitly and students to come up with relevant and applicable solutions. SHMUN is a student simulation of the proceedings of the United Nations, where Students, referred to as Delegates, are assigned a country to represent in one of the UN’s numerous committees with pre-set topics to debate. They research the background of their country, their country’s position on the topics at hand, and prepare notes on possible solutions to the problems faced. Students then convene at Model UN conferences, to debate their assigned topics with students representing the other UN member states. Much like the real UN, the goal is to identify solutions, by negotiation and consensus, on which many countries can agree. The students take on the roles of delegates, speakers, and chairs. The entire process and discussion takes place under formal ‘Rules of Procedure’ to truly model the format of the UN.

Study Hall School Convocation – Children should pursue excellence and success will follow: Ashok Ganguly at Study Hall Convocation

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Study Hall School organized its Convocation Ceremony on Wednesday, 29 December. Ashok Ganguly, Ex-Chairman CBSE Board and Advisor State Resource Center (SRC) was the chief guest for the occasion. The ceremony facilitated 250 students of class 10 and 12.

The chief guest, Ashok Ganguly motivated the students and the parents present at the ceremony. He said “Congratulations to all the students graduating this year. It has been a tough year for all. You all have braved the challenges of the pandemic and have done so well. Children you all should pursue excellence and success will follow.”

The programme commenced with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by the Chief Guest, along with all the heads of different units of SHEF (Study Hall Educational Foundation). Academic procession of teachers and students was carried out to honour the hard work.

The Principal, Meenakshi Bahadur, extended a warm welcome to all the guests, “I welcome you all to celebrate the hard work and achievements of our children. The last two years have been difficult for everyone, especially for our children. This shift from classroom to online medium was tough for all, and our children have once again exceeded our expectations with such brilliant results.”  

Tasneem, an alumna of Study Hall said, “My teachers were great at mentoring me throughout the course. Even during the pandemic, academics, life skills and co-curricular activities were still a part of our classes. As a product of this unique pedagogy, I share my success with my parents, school, principal, teachers and peers.” Tasneem is currently pursuing her Bachelor’s degree from St Stephen’s College, Delhi.

The chief guest was invited to felicitate the meritorious students of the batch 2020-2021. The graduating batch was conferred with medals and certificates for their achievements. A short cultural programme, which included an inspirational song and dance, enthralled the audience. The ceremony concluded with a vote of thanks by the Vice-Principal, Meenakshi Shah.

Climate Warriors 2021: 22 schools, over 13,000 children come together to raise awareness on climate crisis

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Lucknow: Inspiring action on climate issues, Study Hall School, Prerna Girls School and Center For Learning organised the culmination ceremony of a unique inter-school competition – Climate Warriors 2021. 22 schools, 13800 children from Lucknow, Barabanki and Jaipur participated in the competitions. The event was organized in partnership with the British Council and Scottish Youth Theatre under the Conference of the Parties (COP26) banner. Climate Warriors was organized in accordance with the 13th Sustainable Development Goal set up by the United Nations. All the three organiser schools are a unit of Study Hall Educational Foundation (SHEF).

Priya Kakkar, event coordinator said, “It was exciting to see all these young minds bring their creativity to make the competitions a success. The idea was to engage children and youth and spread awareness about the climate crisis. These children have worked on brilliant projects to bring about change through small but effective solutions to climate change issues.”

Viraj, a student of class 9 at Study Hall said, “Climate change is real, we all need to take this seriously. We are responsible for it and it is our duty to make sure that we work to find solutions to this crisis. It was a great opportunity for all of us to learn and work together.” Study Hall School, Vidyasthali Kanar Inter College, Prerna Girls School, City international School Manas City, Modern Academy, were among the top schools who won laurels in various categories. 

From drama to arts to memes, children raised awareness about the climate crisis through these competitions. Earlier in March 2021, Study Hall Educational Foundation (SHEF) qualified for Phone Call to the World – a collaborative project created to mobilize youth to take actions regarding climate issues. Youth from England, India, Palestine, Scotland and South Africa collaborated to create digital performance work to draw attention to climate change issues through artistic means. Phone Call to the World is one of the 17 global projects commissioned by the British Council to sensitize the world about the environmental crisis through performing arts and digital technology. The event ended with prize distribution and vote of thanks.

International Day of Persons with Disability: Special assembly organised by special children at DOSTI

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Lucknow: A special assembly celebrating the International Day of Disabled Persons was organised at DOSTI – Study Hall. Surabhi Kapoor, principal of DOSTI said, “I am grateful for all the support I get from the parents and my teachers. Together we have created a safe and inclusive space for our special children to continue to learn according to their pace, realize their best potential and become independent and successfully integrated into the society. It is so heartening to see all them grow and become so confident.”

The event was organised to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilizing   support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities to thrive in an inclusive society.

The event started with a speech by Sahil Singh, an alumn of DOSTI school, who completed class 12 in 2019 and is currently working as Assistant Coach in Special Olympics Sports and Yoga in Study Hall School. Special children performed a play on ‘Inclusion’ highlighting the need for creating inclusive educational spaces to provide special children with an appropriate learning opportunity to reach their potential.

Dr Shobha Khanduri, one of the parents, shared their experience with the audience, “Me and my husband both are doctors and have a really hectic schedule. Satvik has shown tremendous improvements and has become tech savvy. We are thankful for the continuous support from DOSTI teachers, who have not just empowered our children but us as well.” Satvik is a child with Autism studying at DOSTI.

DOSTI is a unit of Study Hall Educational Foundation (SHEF) and has been working for the last 16 years to educate special children and is among Uttar Pradesh’s first and still handful of schools to integrate children with physical, mental and learning disabilities in the age group of 2-21 years into mainstream education.

The event was further made colourful by the poems and presentation by DOSTI children along with children from Study Hall School with an effort to raise awareness around disability and how every individual can contribute to create an inclusive society for persons with disability.

Vidyasthali holds convocation for students of 2020 and 2021

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Vidyasthali Kanar Inter College, a unit of Study Hall Educational Foundation (SHEF) held its Convocation Ceremony for the graduating batches of 2020 and 2021. IB Singh, Senior Advocate, Allahabad High Court, Lucknow Bench was the chief guest on the occasion. The principal of the school Anusha Sharma welcomed the audience and congratulated the students on their success. She also added, “Over the years, Vidyasthali has become a community transformation hub. Our students have once again made us proud and today we celebrate their success.”

The ceremony started with the academic procession of teachers and students. The school choir sang Rangeel Bharat along with the students performing poems. The students of batches 2020 and 2021 were awarded by the chief guest, I B Singh, Dr Urvashi Sahni, founder and CEO of SHEF and Shibani Sahni.

Mr I B Singh said, “I started my education in a rural school, and Vidyasthali has set an example for other schools to follow. These children are so confident and smart. They can easily give competition to children from any urban private school. I want to congratulate the principal, the teachers and the students for all the hard work they put in.”

Dr Urvashi Sahni, founder and CEO of SHEF said, “Firstly I want to thank and congratulate all the parents present here. It is heartening to see the trust you have in our school and our teachers. It is with your support that our students have yet again given such remarkable performances. I urge our students, especially girls, to work hard and follow their dreams.”

Priyanshi, an alum of Vidyasthali said, “My school is a universe of care. We are welcomed here with our lives and our problems. After completing my class 12, my family faced a financial crunch and I was unable to continue my higher education. My principal and my teachers supported me and I got a job as a GyanSetu teacher. I am now pursuing my Bachelors in Computer Application from Study Hall College.” Priyanshi also runs digital literacy classes at her GyanSetu center in Nabipanah.

The ceremony also facilitated 38 children who completed their Digital Literacy course at GyanSetu centers. There are 23 GyanSetu centers in and around Malihabad. GyanSetu (a unit of SHEF) centers are small, intimate learning support centers in rural and urban pockets where poverty, gender and caste intersect to prevent children from going to school. Children (predominantly girls) who are out of school and at high-risk of harm go through an accelerated learning program that enables them to enroll in formal schools.

The event ended with the National Anthem and a vote of thanks.