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Ekya / November 18, 2022 Posted by : administrator

With India providing various curricula, choosing the one suitable for a child’s learning becomes challenging. Since the world around us is technology-led, henceforth fast-paced, it has become of utmost importance to provide the best education to children that is flexible, relevant and changes with the industry needs. Children ought to think independently, stay inquisitive and become lifelong learners. Bengaluru, the hub for top education institutions, is home to all the curriculum types the Indian Board of Education accepts. The city homes

  1. State board syllabus prescribed by the Government of Karnataka
  2. CBSE board syllabus
  3. ICSE syllabus
  4. IGCSE syllabus

Each curriculum has varied learning outcomes. For example, the state board and CBSE curriculum help students crack CUET (Common University Entrance Test) within India. In comparison, the IGCSE and ICSE curriculum aims to push past the entrance tests within India and prepare learners for the challenges abroad. Therefore most of the parents prefer the international-focused syllabi IGCSE and ICSE. The Cambridge IGCSE curriculum recognised by Cambridge University is experiential learning, where a wide range of topics help them build a solid foundation. 

What is the Cambridge board of Syllabus or the IGCSE curriculum?

The Cambridge IGCSE (International General Certification of Secondary Education) curriculum is an internationally recognised program which prepares students to become lifelong learners by helping them develop informed curiosity and a lasting passion for learning. The program was founded in 1858 by Cambridge University to raise educational standards through experiential learning and qualitative evaluation methods. The board offers a wide range of core, primary and supplementary subjects for a child’s holistic and developmental education. The topics offered are balanced and flexible and provide an international perspective. Students become problem identifiers and creative solvers with A-one presentation abilities and communication skills. 

Presence of Cambridge IGCSE curriculum in India:

In 1988, the Cambridge IGCSE curriculum was introduced in India, and today, it has become the most sought-after curriculum. More than 10,000 countries across 160 countries provide an IGCSE learning program, while India alone has close to 500 schools offering it.  

Why parents choose Cambridge IGCSE curriculum:

Here are a few reasons why:

  • The flexibility offered by the curriculum provides a dynamic range of subjects to choose from. A student pursuing a science and maths major can opt for history or music subjects. The students will be open to a vast opportunity to major during their college days.
  • The Cambridge syllabus helps prepare students for the IELTS exam and other entrance tests to study abroad.
  • The approach adopted by the Cambridge IGCSE curriculum provides an insight into a multitude of subjects, thus helping students discover new interests and skills.
  • Students can choose from over 70 subjects at the IGCSE and A-level based on their interests and career goals. The wide range of tabs under which the subjects are offered are:
  1. Languages (French/Hindi)
  2. Sciences
  3. Creative, Technical and Vocational
  4. Mathematics
  5. Humanities and Social Sciences
  6. English 

The school must provide comprehensive and robust college and career guidance sessions for students to fully utilise the skills and knowledge of the Cambridge IGCSE curriculum.

Cambridge IGCSE curriculum at Ekya:

Ekya, one of the best IGCSE schools in Bengaluru, offers the Cambridge IGCSE curriculum at JP Nagar and Byrathi for Grades 8, 9 and 10. We at Ekya follow an in-house curriculum for pre-primary to middle school students that help senior school students accustomed to the Cambridge IGCSE curriculum. Our teaching methodology helps our children develop crucial educational skills, including knowledge recap, oral skills, problem-solving, collaborative work and investigative skills. 

At Ekya, education is not restricted to a child’s academic growth alone, but it is about empowering them to become future leaders who are learners, thinkers, doers and changemakers. We aim to encourage them to become lifelong learners. 

For 14–16-year-old students choosing the IGCSE curriculum, Ekya offers the following subjects:

Group I: Languages (choose two from this group)
First language -English
Second Language- Hindi
Foreign/Third Language – French

Group II: Humanities and Social Sciences
Economics

Group III: Sciences
Physics
Chemistry
Biology

Group IV: Mathematics
Mathematics – Extended

Group V: Creative, Technical and Vocational
Computer Science – Extended

 

IGCSE curriculum at Ekya:

Ekya, one of the best IGCSE schools, focuses on building a community of learners who teach what to learn and how to learn. The science behind how to learn helps our students to master any academic curriculum. We at Ekya, one of the best IGCSE schools in Bangalore, provide training on how to learn through different teaching methods, like learning through experiences and storytelling. We prepare our children to become responsible citizens through regular assessments and implementation of all the learning they gain in classrooms in the outside world. Our Service Learning Program helps our kids consider themselves a part of the community and improve their civic engagement skills. 

The IGCSE’s world-class curriculum is simplified by integrating unique training methods, including classroom instruction, extracurricular activities, and assessments that help students apply what they’ve learned in the real world. The classroom training includes educators using playful methods such as interactive games and storytelling to allow students to grasp concepts rather than memorise them. The extracurricular and after-school activities in clubs, sports, outbound learning, and more give them adequate exposure to bring out their individuality and team player persona. 

Conclusion:

If you are a parent looking for the child’s overall growth, then IGCSE at Ekya Schools is the most suitable option. At Ekya, students are a part of a stimulating and caring learning community that helps them realise their potential. The internationally accepted Cambridge IGCSE syllabus will significantly assist your children wanting to study or work abroad as they open up vast career prospects. 

Parents and children are welcome to attend Ekya Schools‘ open house events to learn more about our learning methodology and get a first-hand experience of our safe and stimulating environment. Being one of the best schools in electronic city, we offer counselling and guidance for parents looking forward to enrolling their children in the IGCSE curriculum.

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Ekya / March 26, 2024

The Hot Garlic Soup Inspired by ‘The Last Leaf’ by O. Henry

Sue and Johnsy, two young artists, shared a small flat on the third storey of an old house.
Johnsy fell ill in November. She was diagnosed with pneumonia. She would lie in her bed, gazing out of the window. Sue sent for the doctor. The doctor said to Sue, “Johnsy’s condition is not so serious yet. It seems she is unable to recover because she has lost the will to live.”
Sue became extremely worried for Johnsy’s well-being and mental health. She tried to make Johnsy interested in the things around her, but Johnsy never replied with more than a noncommittal hum.
One day, Sue was painting when she heard Johnsy counting backwards. Sue looked out of the window and saw an old ivy creeper climbing on the brick wall. The ivy was shedding its leaves in the strong gust of the wind.
“They are falling faster now,” whispered Johnsy. “Three days ago there were so many leaves. Only five are left now.”
“It is autumn,” said Sue, “and the leaves will fall.”
“When the last leaf falls, I will die” said Johnsy with finality. “I have felt this for the last three days.”
“Oh, that’s nonsense,” replied Sue. “Why do you believe your fate is tied to those old ivy leaves?”
“Human life is fleeting, just like those ivy leaves,” said Johnsy. “I got sick just as the ivy started shedding its leaves. It must be an omen. The last leaf will fall, and I will slip into slumber forever.”
Sue sat on Johnsy’s bed, kissed her and said, “You are not going to die. Plenty of people fall sick in autumn, and they recover soon enough. Do you want some soup?”
“I don’t want any soup. My time is almost up, I’m sure of it,” murmured Johnsy.
Sue decided to change tactics. She was not going to give up on Johnsy.
“It is true that human life is somewhat fleeting, but that’s exactly what makes life valuable. Do you not want to see what life has to offer before you slip into slumber? Will you not miss the cool breeze waking you up, the warm embrace of sunlight? Do you want to give up the feeling of the paintbrush gliding over the canvas?” Sue quavered.
“Look beyond the ivy to that tree over there,” Sue continued. “Even that tree is shedding its leaves, but it is also growing new leaves. It is going to live for many more years, just like you.”
Johnsy contemplated for a while. Then, she looked out of the window and smiled.
“Perhaps I will have some hot garlic soup. You made me realise that life is worth living after all.”
Written by Aahana,
from grade 9A

Ekya / March 22, 2024

Importance of Literature in a Classroom.

"Literature is one of the most interesting and significant expressions of humanity" - P.T.Barnum

We as humans are social beings. We can't imagine our lives to be solitary. Literature facilitates us to understand and communicate with one another in society. It helps us explore the world around us and is a medium to express our views and experiences. So it is of vital importance that the students are introduced to literature at a young age.

Literature is necessary for students as it helps them to develop imagination, improves vocabulary and language skills and even enhances creativity. Literature helps them understand the world outside their home and school.

It is disheartening to see that literature is often not put on the same pedestal as other technical subjects like Math or Science. where it shouldn't be the case.

Literature includes different types of texts like stories and fables, myths

and legends, poetry and drama or even informational texts that help them explore other subjects. It prepares students to read and understand the real world.

There are one too many benefits of including literature at a young age. It is like an exercise for the brain, keeping an individual mentally active and stimulated.

Exposure to cultures from different countries brings in a sense of respect and tolerance, a feat possible through literature. It motivates one to appreciate different lives and their ways and also to graciously disagree with something that may not be right. The different characters the students are introduced to become a source of inspiration. They start to imagine themselves in varied situations. they learn different solutions to problems they come across.

More importantly, reading is fun and literature develops an inclination toward reading and makes them self-learners.

It can be concluded that literature is a gateway to nurturing a child’s life skills more than any assignment or task

can ever do.

Written By:

Shruthi Prakash

English Educator - Primary

Ekya Schools BTM Layout

Ekya / March 22, 2024

A Day to Remember: Juniors Bid Goodbye to Seniors with a Spectacular Farewell Party.

As the academic year draws to a close, emotions run high at our beloved school. The time has come for the juniors to express their gratitude, love, and affection for their departing seniors.

And what better way to do this than by throwing an unforgettable farewell party?

The air was buzzing with excitement as the juniors meticulously planned every detail to make it a night that their seniors would cherish forever.

The audio-visual room was transformed into a place of nostalgia and celebration, adorned with decorations to welcome the seniors. Each performance was filled with energy, enthusiasm, and dedication. Each video played, spoke volumes about the memories shared and the bonds formed throughout their academic journey, blanketing the atmosphere with a mix of joy, laughter, and a hint of bittersweet anticipation.

Our seniors were all dressed up to the nines for the occasion with the girls in a blue and white saree and the boys in black suits.

But how did all of this come to be? I am a grade 11 student and let me take you through behind the scenes of this event and how we prepared for this event.

  • Many girls formed a group and decided to dance to “Paint It Red” and “All Is Well”. Everyone’s efforts are to be appreciated as they come up with new steps and formations. Well-coordinated teamwork led to an amazing performance that got everyone cheering.

  • Meanwhile, my batchmate, Lara,  and a few teachers were preparing to sing songs dedicated to the seniors. Lara sang a melodious rendition of “When You Believe” and the teachers sang a medley of songs which got the seniors singing along as well!

  • The boys planned on dancing to the song “Galti Se Mistake” and their performance was full of creativity and humour. The choreography was inspired by the original music video of the song and they worked hard together and taught each other the steps. This performance got everyone giggling and cheering so loud!

  • It did not end with the students, even the teachers chose to step into this grand celebration. They danced on a variety of songs and each song made the seniors hoot louder. Even though they had a very busy schedule they would still take time and dedicate it to the dance practice during after-school hours. Huge kudos for their coordination and effort!

  • Mohana and Arshia came up with a very engaging script which had the attention of the audience. A small game was organised for the students where they had to write something good about one of their batchmates. Everybody put their hands together and made 32 crowns of appreciation for their seniors. A video of the seniors was made including photos and videos of their dearest memories. Last but not least, our teachers also prepared a video message for the seniors bidding farewell and wishing them the best for their future endeavours.

The day finally came. The 10th of February came. It was the day - the day for which we had been preparing for days. The graduation.

The place was set, the background screen was ready, the mic was ready and the sound system was ready. Our seniors came one by one and the auditorium was filled with chatter until the anchors came in and the event started.

After a few minutes, the head boy gave a heartfelt speech, followed by the chit game of affirmations then Lara’s beautiful performance.

The girls donned black kurtis and sunglasses and danced to “Paint It Red”, which got a round of applause. The seniors loved the “Galti Se Mistake” dance by the boys for its creativity and comedic execution and what made it better was the shorts with shirt and tie combination. The dance finale was to the song “All Is Well” which got the audience cheering for the dancers with lots of enthusiasm.

Then a video filled with the memories of the seniors was shown which made most of them emotional. The dance which everybody was eagerly anticipating started - it was our beloved teachers who completely rocked the stage with their amazing performance.

Then a few teachers gave a very emotional message followed by songs dedicated to their students. The event came to an end with video messages by the teachers,  a crowning ceremony and high tea.

In conclusion, the event was successful, and enjoyed by all the students - juniors, seniors and teachers. It wouldn’t have been possible without everyone’s contribution and teamwork. It was an emotional roller coaster for everyone and a day which will never be forgotten.

Written By:

Stutee Samantray

(Grade 11, Ekya BTM)

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#TeacherBlogger: Expert@Ekya: A Talk on College and Career Guidance by Dr Priya Durairaj by,Richa Thyagarajan ,Ekya school, ITPL

College and Career Guidance: Expert Talk Session with Dr Priya Durairaj

By Richa Thyagarajan, Head Girl, Ekya School ITPL

The College and Career Guidance Program at Ekya is a systematically designed course that aims to enable Senior School students to contemplate, recognise their potential and acquire confidence in pursuing career success. The school welcomes eminent professionals from diverse fields to discuss their work by hosting monthly Expert talks. This time, students had the opportunity to interact with Dr Priya Durairaj, a renowned ophthalmologist currently working for the NHS in the United Kingdom. Dr Priya specialises in Vitreoretinal Surgery and often deals with Retinoblastoma, Melanoma and Hemangioma cases, all encompassed under ocular-oncology. She bags various accolades and degrees from India, Canada and the UK and has published many research papers in scientific journals. As a budding doctor, I was beyond elated to listen to her story and decided to pen down some of my key takeaways from her presentation.

The session commenced with her giving insights into her career trajectory and including some of her breakthroughs. She highlighted the importance of understanding privilege - growing up in a traditional village household, she realised how women were encouraged to prioritise marriage over education and how patriarchy deprived women of the right opportunities. Dr Priya acknowledges herself as a fighter, inspiring individuals to chase their dreams. During her session, she emphasised goal setting. Creating realistic, actionable and time-specific goals allows us to hold ourselves accountable while providing a sense of direction and motivation. Dr Priya considers journaling to be her superpower. I love how she even brought her journal to the session, thus giving us a better visual. She also spoke about building a Curriculum Vitae (CV) and how high school years should be spent productively and wisely. One can enrich their senior schooling expertise by immersing themselves in outbound programs, social initiatives, extracurricular activities, internships and volunteering opportunities, research projects, and so much more!

As she concluded her presentation, she reminded us of eye healthcare and touched upon the regulation of screen time. In her words, technology and gadgets should be used to envisage and unleash one’s potential - and that advice stuck with me.

During the Q&A session, she answered questions about Education, Vision care and even providedsummarisedferent diagnostic techniques used in clinical practice. Overall, her time with us was an eye-opener (definitely pun intended!) and left an afflatus. I later decided to reach out to her in person, and it’s funny how we share a bunch of coincidences! I cannot wait to interact with her again and engage in more meaningful discussions.

Parent guide towards social media and its impact on kids

Are you worried that your child is getting distracted by social media? Read on to learn how to consciously use it for your child's betterment.

The positive impact of social media on different age groups: 

Social media can positively influence a child's life when used for the right purpose.
  1. Better Lifestyle: According to research on the brain study development of 9 and 10-year-olds, children of this age who had access to social media were seen to have increased physical activity, decreased family conflict and lesser sleep problems. It can help young teens to make friends across the globe and share their interests with like-minded people.
  2. Develop new habits: Children can develop new habits through social media. For instance, by restricting screen usage within a stipulated time, children can learn self-control and discipline. Sometimes children can learn the developing social etiquette appropriate to their passion and career choices. With various artists sharing their work, it does not just act as inspiration but provides a platform for finetuning skills (research, collaboration, active listening, creative output etc.) even during leisure hours. One also develops new interests and hobbies by following social pages, joining groups, watching videos, participating in events, etc.

Negative impact on different ages and ways to overcome them:

While social media has many positives, children must also be prepared to face and overcome its negative sides. Social media has become an environment where bullies thrive. According to the statistical data by Enough is Enough, an organisation dedicated to making the internet safer for families, one in three people is a victim of online bullying. Read more to learn a few measures both parents and students can take to remain on the productive side of social media usage. 
  1. Reporting bullies: Children must be taught to be conscious of online trollers' and not take their words to heart. And how they should report such accounts associated with bullying or impersonation.
  2. Protecting privacy: Other dangers on the internet include invasion of privacy. Children may need to be made aware of ways to protect their privacy on the internet. We could teach them ways to use social media safely. For instance, children could learn to use two-step authentication for login. They should choose an alphanumeric password and change it often to minimise the risk of hacking. Before we introduce them to social networks, we should discuss the type of content they are allowed to share in public and the use of privacy settings for sharing content with a restricted group. We must discuss the consequences and effects of oversharing, cyberbullying, using hate speech, etc.
  1. Restricting social media access: Parents and guardians should make it their duty to monitor their children's social media use, as excess time spent using the internet could harm their state of being(physically and psychologically). We should have transparent discussions around their online experiences to understand the effect of social media on their behaviour and be aware of how they're using it to interact with strangers. 
  1. Starting conversations regarding online bullying: Youngsters should be mindful of the impact of cyberbullying on the lives and well-being of both victims and bullies. Victims of cyberbullying need to be acknowledged, assured, and supported to cope with the trauma. Similarly, we need to humanise juvenile bullies and make them understand how their actions can devastate their friends. In this case, counselling, peer or family support, and open communication can help preserve mental health. We must make both parties' school teachers and parents aware of the incident to reduce the risks of offline bullying. Parents can enlist the assistance of the school to provide emotional support and guidance to their children in this regard.
  1. Online Gaming - Do's and Don'ts: When it comes to online gaming, a parent or guardian's first step towards safety is to allow the child to purchase and use paid games with parental consent. Remember to monitor the time and usage of various gaming apps by children. The time they spend online gaming should be separate from the time they spend on homework, offline playtime and family time.
  1. How to handle warning signs: Sometimes, children may not acknowledge the negative impacts of social media on their well-being. Because of guilt or embarrassment, some are unlikely to share their negative experiences. Therefore, we must watch for behavioural changes like disinterest in studies, distance from friends, gloominess, insomnia, hesitation, etc. They could be warning signs of social abuse. As caregivers, we must build trust and transparency with children right from the beginning. It allows them to open up and talk about their problems.

Role of schools in spreading awareness

 It is not a crime to use Social Media; it is necessary to understand that it has both positive and negative impacts on children. It is part and parcel of this generation, and one must use it best. Online classes came to them as a boon during the COVID pandemic. Students had the opportunity to learn irrespective of where they lived. Not just online courses but children took exams, learnt efficient ways of staying organised by creating online documents and explored various other aspects of online learning. During the pandemic, schools played a crucial role in reassuring the parents’ confidence regarding their children’s academic progress; they also ensured to educate safe and right internet usage.                         

Conclusion 

While social media has become a daily part of people's lives, parents must take note of various factors regarding children. They should monitor their children's social media usage and teach them the importance of effectively using it. Make them aware of the consequences and harmful effects of cyberbullying.       Schools play a crucial role in generating awareness about cyber threats such as bullying, and phishing, along with safe use of the internet and online etiquette. Ekya Schools, one of the best schools in Bangalore conducts workshops, interactive activities, classroom discussions, etc., to make students aware of the current issues and to ensure their mental well-being & safety, especially in the virtual world. Raising awareness and mentoring students can help them conduct themselves in the best possible way and judiciously use technology to grow. Click to read our initiatives on student well-being.

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