Under the shade of a tree, where learning blooms

What was once a tree shrouded in fear and superstition has transformed into a vibrant hub for learning and creativity, writes Manjunath Hegde Bomnalli.

For years, a peepal tree, rumoured to be haunted on the grounds of the government high school at Kiresur village in Hubballi (Rural) taluk, was avoided at all costs by many students of the school. Today, a platform has been built around the tree and students attend creative classes here. 

The platform is part of the Aralikatte Open Library’s appeal. Children can participate in learning activities, read magazines and newspapers and attend talks by experts from various fields. 

Lingaraj Ramapur, a teacher and the brain behind the open library, recalls how raising awareness was a crucial first step towards earning the trust of children and parents. “A couple of years back, I also accepted the challenge of eating a lemon kept in a corner of the open space, to clear superstition some students had regarding that,” he said. 

“On the occasion of Children’s Day last year, ‘Aralikatte Open Library’ was launched below the tree, making use of the platform — which students themselves were involved in building. Now, it has become their favourite place for learning,” he said.

The school also has to its credit a bi-monthly, bilingual magazine called ‘Saaligudi’ with student editors and contributors. The eight-page magazine has gained impressive support from villagers too. The next six editions, for instance, have already been sponsored by parents. 

A total of 500 copies of this magazine have been distributed among villagers and sent to other schools and government offices, said Ramapur. The magazine’s blog and the Aralikatte YouTube channel are also available for viewing.

According to Block Education Officer (Hubballi rural) Umesh Bommakkanavar, both the open library and the magazine are innovative methods to spark students’ interest in different aspects of learning.

“Children show more concentration and interest in learning outdoors through activities. The school magazine is also coming out very well,” Bommakkanavar added.

For instance, the library organises kite-making and flying sessions. The exercise helps children understand geometric principles and figures and put into use the impact of size and wind on speed. 

Currently, the open library is being run with funding from the India Foundation for the Arts under the ‘Kali-Kalisu’ initiative, in association with the Department of State Educational Research and Training. The library uses arts and crafts as a means to teach different subjects while also promoting the reading habit. 

Sessions on music, story-writing, folklore and craft, and visits to farms, are among the activities on weekends. Special visits to progressive, organic farms are organised with the aim of creating awareness about newer techniques in agriculture.

Scientific temper 

Countering blind beliefs about hauntings was key to making the effort successful. In the past, many students had expressed fear about attending a learning session below the tree. Ramapur said an awareness programme played a crucial role in developing a scientific temper among students. “Removing that fear and enabling students to see the benefits of the tree, which gives oxygen and shelter to several creatures, was also an idea behind developing it as a learning space,” he added.

After hearing from a few people that the peepal tree was ‘haunted’, Soubhagya Beerannavar, now a ninth-standard student, was also afraid.

“Teachers asked us not to be afraid, and they took class there. Now, I do not have fear, and learning there is more interesting than the class indoors,” she said.

Somanagouda Bommanagoudar, a parent, admits that there was some fear around the tree. “Now, my daughter Anushka is so interested in ‘Aralikatte’ activities that she attends events there even on Sundays, and she is not glued to the mobile phone like earlier,” he noted.

“We are not afraid of that tree now. We like learning at the katte and love the activities as well. Kite-flying and craft are my favourites,” added Munirabanu Goundi, a student of the school.