Why Every Child Needs More Than School, They Need Leadership Training.

To be honest, school is not all about memorization and passing exams these days. True education is education that builds people and not just student education. Children should have more than marks, they are required to have an opportunity to develop confidence, learn how to make choices, demonstrate empathy, and become leaders. This is why every child needs more than just classroom time. They should be provided with leadership training that will make them become individuals, not followers.

This is what many education NGOs understand. They are changing the manner in which children study and their self-conception. To them, leadership does not entail holding power. It is a matter of taking a step forward, finding a solution to a problem, and encouraging people to be their best.

Where School Falls Short

Traditional schools? They're all about academics. Well, it is important to know your math and science, but what about teamwork? Or how to communicate effectively? Or just making tough choices? These life skills are often overlooked, and children are expected to go out of the classroom and find them difficult to cope with.

This is where Education NGOs step in. They are not just bridging gaps, they are building bridges. The introduction of leadership training into the equation helps kids find their voices and build the bravery to confront the real challenges.

The Real Teaching of Leadership Training.

Keep in mind, leadership training does not involve turning all kids into CEOs. It is a matter of equipping them with the ability to:

• Be independent and make intelligent decisions.

• Be honest and be a team player.

• Understand and care for the people around them.

• Be in charge of their work.

• Give back to their community.

As children start learning such skills when they are very young, they become stronger and less self-centered. They are ready to take whatever comes in life.

Ahmedabad Leads the Way

School to Lead, an education NGO in Ahmedabad, has been attempting to change the way children are educated in Ahmedabad, and frankly speaking, the method is not similar to the traditional school routine. Rather than just concentrating on marks, School To Lead focuses on something most kids never have, such as confidence, leadership, and the sense of being able to actually take initiative.

Most children don’t get the chance to make decisions or speak up at home or in school. School to Lead attempts to break that pattern. Through small workshops, activities, mentoring and simple community chores, the kids do not just sit and listen. They rise, experiment, communicate, lead small teams and get to know how responsibility works in the real world.

School To Lead does not have anything too fancy or tricky. The point is that all children regardless of their background should receive equal opportunity to develop inner strength that they will need in the future.

The Ripple Effect

When someone supports School To Lead, it is not simply assisting an NGO. It is literally an investment into the future of Ahmedabad. Children who undergo learning based on leadership become more aware. They begin to observe the things around them, ask questions about what is wrong and attempt to solve minor issues rather than ignore them.

It is at this point where education starts. You see, not through a test score, but when a child thinks,

"I can do something about this."

That is what School to Lead is attempting to change - a child at a time.

One Last Thought

Every child deserves more than just a place in a classroom. They should have the right means and bravery to live their own lives. You will be benefiting the future generation of leaders, once you support an education NGO, who will somehow make the world much kinder, smarter, and better for all.

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Written by Sneha Prasad for School To Lead