“Children learn what they live”, reads a board in a school in Wagholi. And true to the message, Aman Setu (Bridge of Peace) School inculcates values in children that teach them to live in an eco-friendly way.
Located some 16 km from Pune, the school — made of plastic waste, mud and discarded tyres — has taken upon itself the task of teaching future citizens on how to save the earth, the central agenda at the recently concluded Copenhagen climate meet.
“This not only helped us build the structure in an eco-friendly way, but also saved us 30 to 40 per cent of the cost which we would have incurred if we had made it the conventional way,” said Principal Madhavi Kapoor, who also runs a charitable trust named after her that runs the school.
Kapoor said the idea to build the school from recycled items was given by architect Saurabh Phadke, who also played the main role in collecting garbage and waste from scrap dealers.
The first structure of the school, measuring about 300 sq ft, was ready by June 2008 and houses two classrooms. A second structure came up within a year.
{{/usCountry}}The first structure of the school, measuring about 300 sq ft, was ready by June 2008 and houses two classrooms. A second structure came up within a year.
{{/usCountry}}The school was built at a cost of Rs 2.2 lakh.
Phadke said barbed wires were used to strengthen the walls made of bags filled with mud. Mud-filled plastic bottles were placed on the wall and at the base of the structure. The furniture and ceiling were made from recycled pinewood.
Each classroom has a different name based on the look and the purpose it serves. Thus, while Rabbit Hole looks like a hole from the outside, students are encouraged to nurture their ideas and thoughts in Alice in Wonderland.
An old bus shell, named after animation character Chintoo, is used to house the science and math exploratory.
The school also recycles human waste and uses it as fertiliser in a farm where students are encouraged to grow vegetables organically.
It’s also mandatory for the students to avail of public transport.
The authorities are now planning another school, Aman Van (Forest of Peace), at Urali Kanchan to inculcate age-old traditions and social responsibility among the students.