Value Based Skills Oriented Quality Education

The BCT Residential High School has been creating impact for its students since its inception in 1995. Started in a remote village of Andhra Pradesh, India, this school provided an accessible and more importantly, a relevant education model for many children. The work at the school goes on. Currently home to approximately 200 students, the past few months have been busy for all, right from the grades of sixth to tenth. Here are a few recent stories of change and impact.

Academics

K Sunita grew up in a family where opportunities were limited. When she joined in 8^th grade, she was shy and unsure. At BCT her personality blossomed, and she recognised her potential. She found new confidence, and with personal attention, she achieved a remarkable 564/600 marks in the 10th standard, and stood first in the school.

With April being exam time, students were busy preparing for and writing their exams. 29 students also appeared for their tenth board exams, and all passed their exams with good grades. K Sunitha stood first, S Rohini secured second place, V Vennela came third, and S Bhavani secured the fourth position. Two students from the Sri PV Venkatesan Center for the Challenged also appeared for the exam and also did well. As we wished our outgoing students the very best for their future, we also welcomed new students from surrounding communities into the campus. A total of 64 students appeared for the school’s entrance examination as well.

Interactions & exposure visits

B. Gayatri, the daughter of an autorikshaw driver, had enrolled in BCT school in the sixth grade. Good in studies, it was the interactions with people from diverse fields on campus that guided her to pursue a career in nursing. Today this student, once limited to opportunities in her locality, works as a General Duty Attendant at a hospital in the city.

At BCT school, we realize that interactions with people from diverse fields shape the thoughts, ideas and minds of students. Great emphasis is thus placed so that students get to hear and interact with people from different walks of life. The April and May months brought various visitors to campus. It was wonderful to have hosted Mr. Paritosh Sharma from GOONJ in Hyderabad. He interacted with the students and also looked at the various activities being undertaken at the BCT Residential High School.

Keeping parents informed of their child's progress, and addressing their concerns is also important. Interactions were also held with parents, as a meeting was organised to share and celebrate the academic progress and overall development of students. Such meetings play a vital role as then enable teachers to provide personalised feedback and help parents to better guide their children. As per Andhra Pradesh Govt. guidelines, the school also successfully hosted a mega parent-teacher meeting on July 10. The event saw 215 participants that included parents, students & guests. Highlights of the event were learning center visits, sessions with the school principal and staff and interactive games for parents. 

Students and staff of BCT Residential High school also participated at a conference called 'Samajikam'. Conducted by the Rotary Club at AMTZ on May 3^rd, students showcased charkha spinning to the visitors. The visitors to the stall were very impressed with the skills of students and some even tried their hand at spinning.

Community-based campaigns

Durga Prasad belongs to a poor agricultural labourer family. A struggling student initially, he improved academically when he joined BCT. Not just that, he also learned vocational skills, and today also likes to play the dappu. This has improved his confidence, and self esteem.

Today's students are tomorrow's change agents. Building the confidence of students and inculcating social responsibility towards their communities is the initiative of social animation. Under this, students of BCT Residential High School visited surrounding villages and raised awareness on water conservation through a skit. They encouraged villagers to use water judiciously and even suggested using wastewater for gardening and plants or for soak pits that help recharge ground-water. Besides this, students showcased traditional folk arts of kolatam, chitikelu, bhajan and dappu. The program was organised under the guidance of village elders.

Democracy Through the Plate 

Health is a prime focus area for the school, and BCT entered into a collaboration with Feeding India to provide nutritious meals to school students. This successful collaboration completed one year, and we look forward to many more such years. Students also recently elected their own mess leaders through MPL Mess Elections, which served as a hands-on lesson in democracy, leadership, and responsibility—right at the dining table.