Transformational and Holistic Education at KISS: A Narrative

Education plays a significant role in developing countries as a robust mechanism for facilitating inclusion of the disadvantaged and the socially excluded.The Founder of KIIT and KISS Dr. AchyutaSamantarealising the significance of education in accomplishing empowerment and development of the marginalised, such as the tribal populace, has rightly remarked that education is the third eye of a child. With physical eyes a child is able to see the world but it is with the third eye of education that he/she is able to discern the convolutions of society and is able to act as an agent of transformation not only for himself but also for his community and the society at large. With this firm conviction Dr. Samanta founded Kalinga Institute of Social Sciences (KISS) as a fully funded residential institution, with the vision that no indigenous child should be deprived of formal education due to poverty and a mission to educate two million tribal children. Since its establishment in 1993 as a school with only 125 tribal students, today KISS has grown into a university harbouring 30,000 poor tribal children, 20,000 alumni, and 10,000 students in various satellite centres. The focus of KISS is on imparting holistic education. The Vocational and academic training are integral part of KISS curriculum. The vocational training includes skill development in different trades such as painting, tailoring, craft, etc. This not only enhances future livelihood opportunities for the students but also gives scope for simultaneous learning and earning. Physical education, another important dimension of holistic education is substantially emphasized in KISS. Students are given coaching in sports like archery, rugby,kho-kho, football etc. They also get avenues to play at state, national and international levels. A bright example in this context is the KISS women’s rugby team which has made a name for itself at the international level. In addition to sports, Yoga is taught for maintaining physical and mental well being of the students. KISS imparts regular training for development of life skills, soft skills and leadership skills to its students. What distinguishes KISS is that it seeks to empower the indigenous students to become full-fledged members of society without compromising their cultural identity. Concomitantly KISS celebrates tribal festivals, promotes tribal music, dance and art by organising regular cultural activities and tribal exhibitions. Appreciating the importance of tribal language in preservation of culture, KISS has started its ‘Mother Tongue Based Multilingual Education’ which enables children to learn in their mother tongue at primary level, and setting up a language lab which aids in the process. This not only helps validation and conservation of tribal culture but also bridges the gap between home and school language facilitating ease of learning. The success of KISS in empowering and generating change agents among the tribals is reflected in the achievements of its alumna who have gone on to become lecturers, nurses, bank employees etc. and in the efforts made by students to bring changes in their respective communities by engaging in tutoring younger children, awareness generation programmes etc. KISS, in toto, is a ‘total institution’ as concepted by Goffman which provides need based holistic education to the tribal children. To read more visit here: https://kiit.ac.in/