NEET coaching
YOKE’s first attempt to coach government school children for the common medical entrance test NEET in 2021 resulted in three out of four youth getting into medical colleges this year. Fresh batches are now preparing for the exam in 2022 and 2023.
“Enjoy English!” programme for primary schools
The “Enjoy English!” programme for primary schools was launched at the behest of the District Administration, to teach English as a language to children in government-run primary schools. In 2018-19, YOKE worked with five schools. In 2019-20, we took the programme to eight schools in the district with the participation of about 150 children. A modular lesson plan was specifically designed by a mentor, a professional in training teachers of English. The lesson plan integrates fun-learning with video inputs. During the next academic year, YOKE aims to increase the reach of “Enjoy English!” to at least ten schools in the district.
Holiday camps
Holiday camps are conducted during summer, first term and second term breaks for school children. The camps feature workshops on folk dance, theatre, pottery, story-telling, art & craft, leadership and beyond-the-books. Children and young adults also work on researching and presenting projects on countries and states.
Guest talks
We organise talks by experts when they come visiting. These are organised at the local government schools or at YOKE centre if it can be relevant to a mixed audience of young and old.
Excursions/tours
Educational tours are periodically organised to expose children and young adults to the world outside. In the past, we provided young adults with the experience of air-travel on a flight to Chennai. The tour included a visit to Pondicherry for a two-day sight-seeing experience. Children participating in the summer camp went on a trek in the Mundandurai forests, organised in partnership with ATREE. From Delhi to Kanyakumari, from Thiruvananthapuram to Kudangulam, these trips are educational as much as they are entertaining.
Improving government school infrastructure
At YOKE we work with the local primary, secondary and higher secondary institutions run by the government to improve infrastructure, to provide hardware support, and to participate in any initiative where they seek our support. Over the years, water supply to the schools has been ensured, good sanitation provided for, and classrooms and buildings improved upon.
Mainstreaming children with disability
Organised in association with Vidya Sagar, Chennai, teachers in primary schools in Tirunelveli educational district are trained in strategies to include physically-challenged children in their classrooms. In the 2021-22 academic session, it is proposed that a “model” classroom is facilitated in a secondary school classroom setting to demonstrate how such strategies are evolved and adopted effectively.
Coaching school finalists
YOKE organises special tuitions and support to children and young adults appearing for Board exams, based on individualised need. English, Maths, Computer Science and Accountancy classes have been organised to date.
Training adults
YOKE supports adults (parents) who wish to pursue education – through high school and college – under the National Institute of Open Schooling, Government of India. Three mothers have so far cleared the Class X examinations.
Free computer education
Basic Course in Information Technology is conducted for school and college students and others, based on the curriculum developed by NIIT Foundation. This course is organised during term holidays as well for high school children.
