Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Primary students of Saraswat Vidyalaya are learning the values of sustainability and responsibility through an innovative gardening programme that has been introduced as part of their curriculum. Building on the encouraging response received last year, the school has continued and expanded the initiative in the current academic year by making gardening a formal subject for the primary section.
The programme offers students direct exposure to nature through practical involvement in vegetable cultivation. Under the guidance of primary teacher Shobha Padgaonkar, who has a keen interest in farming, students actively participate in preparing soil, planting seeds, nurturing crops, and understanding basic agricultural practices. The initiative was first started with Class IV students last year and has now become a regular feature of the school’s learning activities.
The effort has received consistent support from parents, as well as encouragement from the primary section supervisor and the teaching and non teaching staff. The school leadership has also played a key role in strengthening the initiative. Headmistress Swapnita Nagvekar appreciated the programme and highlighted the importance of experiential learning at an early age, noting that such activities help children connect classroom knowledge with real life experiences.
An important aspect of the project is its practical outcome. The vegetables grown in the school garden are supplied to the self help group responsible for preparing the mid day meals. These fresh vegetables are cooked and served to the students, who have shown great enthusiasm in consuming food they helped grow themselves. This has helped students understand the journey of food from soil to plate while encouraging healthy eating habits.
So far, the garden has yielded a variety of vegetables including red bhaji, white bhaji, sweet potato, fenugreek, onion, and beans. The success of the initiative has extended beyond the school campus. Parents have observed a noticeable change in their children, with many showing increased interest in planting flowers and vegetables at home.
The gardening programme has played a meaningful role in nurturing environmental awareness, patience, teamwork, and practical life skills among young learners. By engaging students in hands on activities, Saraswat Vidyalaya is fostering a deeper respect for nature while promoting sustainable practices from an early age.
