Smile Foundation in its bid towards capacity building sponsored a two day workshop for teachers from different partner NGOs (Projects) in and around Delhi. In all 60 teachers from 21 NGOs attended the programme.

The workshop was conducted by Ankur, a local NGO working in field of education in Delhi. The professionals of Ankur lent their expertise in various sessions in which the workshop was divided. The workshop was organized at the Indian Social Institute, Delhi during April 16-17, 2003.

The workshop was a little different in its approach and therefore innovative in the sense as it focused on child's interest, behavior pattern and their expectations from their teacher(s) / school rather than academic contents required to/should be covered.

The objectives of the workshop clearly laid were as follows:

• To introduce the teachers to the concept of child-centered education, creative teaching methodology and gender prospective;
  
• To motivate teachers to make self-assessment of their teaching style and methodology particularly in context of learning by children, their comprehension and their interest;
  
• Promote innovative and creative teaching practices making it joyful to the children who find school an enjoying, fun-filled place worth going every day - and thus leading to increasing enrollment and reduce dropouts; and Provide an open platform to the teachers to share their experiences, discuss constraints and ways to handle these and exchange views on day to day working situation / experiences and success stories.

The two day workshop was divided into different sessions - viz; going into childhood, Child-centered education, Gender issues, Activity - based learning and Creative actions and expressions.

The sessions were participative and encouraged the participating teachers to open up and freely express their viewpoints. The workshop also had component of Group Work besides some lighter items like song & dance, role-play, games, finger paintings etc. The workshop methodology also included lectures, group presentations etc.

The workshop was largely successful in meeting its goal as revealed by the feedbacks received from the participants - for many it was the very first opportunity of this kind and request for many more such workshops but study - subject – specific have been received.

Accordingly another two day methodology workshop on Mathematics and English has been scheduled for next month.