Coimbatore became the district headquarters on 24/11/1804 and this day is being celebrated as Coimbatore Day. European governance brought in modern education. Veeraswamy School, London Mission School, Stanes School, Maranna Gowder School, St.Michaels School, A.S.Rama Rao School etc.,were among the early pioneers. The concept of bringing in the Kindergarten came in much later.
Coimbatore became the district headquarters on 24/11/1804 and this day is being celebrated as Coimbatore Day. European governance brought in modern education. Veeraswamy School, London Mission School, Stanes School, Maranna Gowder School, St.Michaels School, A.S.Rama Rao School etc.,were among the early pioneers. The concept of bringing in the Kindergarten came in much later.
Kindergarten, meaning 'garden for children' happens to be a preschool educational approach based on playing, singing and practical activities like drawing. Social interaction was also part of this transition from home to school. The Kindergartens came about in Bavaria and Strasbourg in the later parts of the eighteenth century. It was primarily meant for children whose parents worked outside home. This name was given by Friedrich Frobel, a German whose approach influenced early years education around the world. The first of its kind was created by Johann Friedrich Oberlin and Louise Schepper at Strasbourg in the year 1779. Princess Pauline zur Lippe established a pre school in 1802. Later on Robert Owen ( philosopher and pedagogue ) established a play school in the year 1816. Samuel Wilderspin did much in this arena. He established his first school in the year 1819. He created many more and his work was to become a model for others. The pioneers in Europe showed the way during the early days. Friedrich Frobel had established a 'play and activity 'institute in the year 1837. Women trained by him opened similar institutions in Europe and the rest of the world. The pre school was essentially a European find. The 'pre school' activities supplemented the 'kindergarten' concept over time.
Coimbatore has been in the forefront of education for sometime now and its an 'educity' today. The 'Pre Nursery Play Schools' have played their part too. Renu Sampath of Race Course has been a 'play school' pioneer. She happens to be the grand daughter of R.K.Ramakrishnan Chettiar, the founder of Central Studios. Her grand uncle Dr.R.K.Shamukham Chetty had been the first Finance Minister of India after independence. Renu Sampath was born to L.Rajamanickkam and Kamalam during the formative years of our republic. She did her schooling at the St.Francis Convent and her B.A ( English Literature ) from the Nirmala College for Women. Renu got married to Sampath in the year 1979. The daughters Karunya Lakshmi Anandkumar and Nivrutha added joy to the family over the years.
"My elder daughter was not at all happy to go to school those days. Later , I came across this 'play school' concept when my second one was two years old. I felt that my younger daughter should go to school happily and therefore decided to do something about it. My husband Sampath's close relative Kamala Sivasubramaniam was the motivator and I decided to take the plunge. "Shishu" was born at our residence at Race Course in the year 1984. The fine trees and the shed at home served as the infrastructure from the beginning. We began the pre nursery play school with just my daughter and four other kids. The school began with these five and went up to 11 kids in a while. Over the years we went up to 90 kids. Our teacher student ration used to be 1: 15 and we had three ayammas to help us take care of the kids. The kids had to be two plus years of age in order to join 'Shishu', "shared Renu Sampath from her quaint apartment in Race Course.
The school had functioned from 10 AM to 12:30 PM ( two and a half hours ). The kids had to be dropped and picked up by the parents. They had to bring their own water to drink for the management wanted the parents to feel as safe as possible. "Shishu" had built a solid reputation for itself in a short time and therefore its students could secure admissions in the best schools in town. "We never advertised those days. People came to know about the school through word of mouth. Even the teachers came in voluntarily. Today 'my kids' are really doing well. Many of them are research scholars at really high places. Recognition came in a subtle manner and we never earned big. I did not have any experience or training to run the school. The syllabus and calendar of activities were our own. I just took care of the kids based on my own experience and motherly instinct. A number of kids who had issues were also looked after with a lot of care, "smiled Renu Sampath while showing the old photo album of the school.
Renu Sampath had been a learner always. Since this concept was new she had to do her own research by reading. Evolution was through experience. "I never had a guide or consultant and just addressed the needs of kids on a day to day basis. I learnt a lot from 'my kids' at school. How the kid felt was important. They simply loved "Shishu" and wanted to spend more time with me. A number of these kids wanted to spend the summer holidays with me. That was really motivating. The weekends would witness moments when parents used to bring kids to "Shishu" in order to convince them that it was a holiday. "Shishu" was a second home for the kids, " added Renu Sampath while sharing tit bits about her 'school days'.
All the work sheets, events and projects had been devised by Renu Sampath and her team. "I found it difficult to accommodate more kids. Therefore I began to encourage other people to start new play schools. A number of people from Tirupur, Dindigul and other places used to visit us in order to assimilate our processes. They used to spend time watching us and the kids. They picked up the techniques through observation. I used to tell them details concerning assessment methods, counselling etc., I feel truly blessed. In fact, while seeking a Visa at the US Embassy, I stated that I had 32 kids ( the school strength at that time ) and this made the concerned officer understand that I will never want to stay back in the USA. Therefore I got my Visa. The school was a big family and all the parents were my friends. The kids were like an elixir and they kept me going. My husband Sampath was a great support and will always remember the good work and support of Annie Xavier and Pushpamma. Annie was really involved with the school at the academic side and Pushpamma was with me for 22 years as an Ayamma. Padmaja known as Viji aunty was the Principal of "Shishu". They were the backbones of our school, " stated the Founder of "Shishu", Renu Sampath.
Its unbelievable but true, "Shishu" never had a brochure or visiting card or a letter pad even. They had never found it necessary. Their good work and reputation travelled ahead of them. Renu Sampath closed shop about 10 years ago and she gave the ethical reasons for doing so, "Times were changing and running an 'indulgent' institution was not in my agenda and I decided to call it a day. Later on the property was given to a property developer and now it hosts a number of homes. Its once again full of people. Well, I could have taken it to a new place or created a 'franchise' to make it really big but that was not my idea. I wanted to offer quality inputs for the kids and not literally indulge them. I had a good experience and ' my kids ' are doing well. I Thank God and my well wishers for this oppourtunity, "
Today , play schools or feeder schools are dime a dozen. They are now governed by rules, conditions, concepts and prestige ! Everyone wants to stand out in the crowd. "Shishu" had functioned at a time when this space and market had to be created. They were the 'Market Makers' for this concept in town and that's really amazing.
"Shishu" had been one of those rare models which had showed the way in a subtle manner. The interesting work of pioneers in the field of education like Renu Sampath ought to be recorded and recognized.