Constituency Served

children in pre-school, 2 1/2 - 5 1/2 years; school children, 5 1/2 - 17 1/2 years; teachers, parents

Details of Work

GEAR Foundation runs the Miranda school, where the curriculum is designed to suit the intelligence, thinking and learning style of each child. It recognises the idea of multiple intelligences, and each child is encouraged to excel in her area of talent. GEAR also runs a Montessori pre-school. It has several programmes in partnership with UNESCO's Learning Without Frontiers Unit. These include the School Beyond Walls project, which emphasises lifelong learning in an environment that inspires critical thinking, problem solving, reflection, and empathy. At pre-school, the emphasis is on sensorial and experiential learning; at middle school, on experimental and outdoor activities; and at high school, on individual challenges and apprenticeships. Promises of the Future is a peer-interactive and mentorship programme for gifted students. The Smart Education Movement is a network of schools for effective instruction and resource utilisation. The Teaching Talent is a platform for teachers to design and publish innovative materials. The Gifted Education Certification offers a four-level certification for innovative teachers. The Kindergarten is Too Late programme helps parents of pre-schoolers create a rich learning environment. The Citizens for Excellence in Education networks parents to play an active and informed role in education. GEAR also has a hi-tech research centre, Talentscope, for children to develop their talents through school and neighbourhood centres. It offers computer literacy, and world wide peer interaction. It is also working on a directory of innovative institutions and educators.