Association for Promotion of Creative Learning
Association for Promotion of Creative Learning (APCL) is a not-for-profit organisation working in the field of providing education, healthcare and livelihood to people from underprivileged communities. It was established in 1996 by a diverse group of academicians, administrators, doctors, bankers and engineers in Patna, Bihar, India.
APCL works at the grassroots with underprivileged communities and has been at the forefront of action research and advocacy of innovative solutions for empowering the marginalised. It has also organised several projects, conferences, seminars and workshops on themes related to education, livelihood and healthcare in collaboration with leading non-governmental organisations such as UNICEF, Action Aid, Oxfam, Commonwealth Education Fund, Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, Sulabh International, Care, Save the Children, National Rural Health Mission, Ritu Sinha Charitable Foundation (USA) and The KG Foundation.
Motto
The organisation has adopted Charaiveti Charaiveti (translated from Sanskrit, it means Keep moving, keep moving) as its motto. It is from an ancient hymn
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- Charan vai madhu vindati, Charan swadum udumbaram
- Suryasya pasya shremanam, Yo na tandrayate charan
- Charaiveti, Charaiveti
It means Moving persons get nectar, moving person get tasty food. See the greatness of the Sun which is never tired of moving. Keep moving, Keep moving. Gautam Buddha used to end his sermons with these words as a message to the world to keep moving. The logo of the moving wheel of creativity adopted by the organisation symbolises the state of flow of the creative energies to continually seek and keep moving towards the eternal quest.
Creative Learning
The organisation has developed a unique teaching-learning methodology called Creative Learning, which enables children from underprivileged communities to gain knowledge in a multiple intelligences environment. Since many of them are first generation learners who do not have access to a linguistic environment at home, learners at the school are taught through games, activities and a laboratory based approach. Founder Executive President of the organisation Vijoy Prakash has authored a book on Creative Learning. The book was presented by the author to then President of India APJ Abdul Kalam in a special function at Rashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi on November 17, 2006.
Under Creative Learning, APCL has identified seven Core Creative Competencies, which are essential in any natural process of learning:
Power of Observation
Concentration
Memory
Thinking
Imagination
Power of Expression Communication
Emotional Control
School of Creative Learning
- REDIRECT School of Creative Learning
The Ritu Sinha Knowledge Centre for Creative Learning
In December 2009, the Ritu Sinha Knowledge Centre for Creative Learning was inaugurated, which serves as the resource centre for various educational and research activities being carried out at the school. The centre is equipped with a library, computer centre, conference hall, health centre and exhbition hall. The Centre has hosted several conferences, seminars and workshops. The centre has been developed in collaboration with Ritu Sinha Charitable Fund (USA).
The KG Centre for Inclusive Learning
In June 2011, APCL has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the KG Foundation (UK) for setting up a Centre for Inclusive Learning at the School of Creative Learning in Patna. The centre would undertake research, development and counselling in the field of learning disabilities including dyslexia, dyscalculia, dysgraphia etc. The construction of the centre has already begun and foundations are being laid.
Education for Democracy (EFD)
In collaboration with Commonwealth Education Fund, the organisation carried out a Survey of Democratic Attitude among Children in April–May, 2004. The survey was conducted across 15 schools in Patna and Samastipur, in which 1,366 children in the age-group of 11–18 years participated.
The findings of the survey were presented in the form of a book - Education for Democracy authored by Vijoy Prakash and Prof Shailendra Kr Shrivastava. It further presented a holistic education model of EFD based on formal, informal and non-formal education systems. The book was released by the then Governor of Bihar, Raghunandan Lal Bhatia, in March 2009.
International Conference on Educational and Social Inclusion
The International Conference on Educational and Social Inclusion was held at School of Creative Learning from November 25–27, 2011 at Patna. It was jointly organised by Association for Promotion of Creative Learning and the KG Foundation (UK).
Patna Declaration in the Spirit of Nalanda
The delegates in the conference released the Patna Declaration at the ICESI 2011. It is the assertion towards attaining an inclusive educational and social system through principles of Broadstreaming and Multiple Intelligences. The declaration specifically addresses the need to research on Special Educational Needs of children, in order to provide them with a suitable learning environment.
Mr Ian Stewart, Former Member of Parliament from Eccles in United Kingdom, chaired the concluding session of the conference and announced the acceptance of the declaration by the attending delegates.
Creative Learning Foundation
Creative Learning Foundation has been established to manage the publications and other materials developed by the organisation. It has developed several teaching-learning and advocacy materials in the form of:
Concept Books and Cards
Creative Learning Curriculum Books
Activity Books and Cards
Learning Games
Audio/Multimedia
Educational Posters
Promotional Posters
Global Campaign for Education Citizen's Charter
In 2004, APCL released a citizen's charter on education along with other NGOs as a part of Global Campaign for Education. The charter was submitted to the Governor of Bihar by a delegation of local organisations.
Education to Underpriviledged
In 2009, APCL undertook a project on Right to Education for Underprivileged in collaboration with ActionAid India. A center aptly named Shabri Ashram was established in vulnerable Tola to facilitate community intervention for ensuring right to education. APCL also did a presentation about Education to Underprivileged in Bihar Vidhan Parishad Annexee in the ‘Vimarsh’ programme.
Recognition
The principles of Broadstreaming (a developmental model different than mainstreaming) have been accepted by the Government of Bihar to be adopted in the Twelfth Five Year Plan (2013-2018).
Dr Mridula Prakash, Principal at School of Creative Learning, was felicitated with Sadhana ka Samman in the field of Creative Primary Education at the Rashtriya Shiksha Samman Samaroh 2011 (National Education Felicitation Ceremony) organised on 4 Sept 2011 by Zakir Hussain Institute and Indian Institute of Business Management in Patna.
Vijoy Prakash, Founder President of APCL, has been invited to address at several institutions and forums such as IIM Ahmedabad, National Institute of Design, Ahmedabad, XLRI Jamshedpur, National Council For Educational Research and Training, New Delhi, AN Sinha Institute of Social Studies, Patna, St. Xavier's College, Ranchi etc.
The organisation has successfully partnered with several national and international organisations such as Ritu Sinha Charitable Foundation (USA), The KG Foundation (UK) and Steel Authority of India Limited (India) to develop quality school infrastructure for underprivileged children.
APCL has collaborated on action research grassroots projects with several leading non-governmental organisations such as UNICEF, Action Aid, Oxfam, Commonwealth Education Fund, Sir Dorabji Tata Trust, Sulabh International, Care, Save the Children, National Rural Health Mission, Ritu Sinha Charitable Foundation (USA) and The KG Foundation.