The IBO’s mission is to create the global citizen, who develops qualities like compassion, responsibility, sense of values and tolerance. To this end, the International Baccalaureate CAS Programme, especially at the Diploma level, is geared towards channelizing the potential in the student, make him or her aware of what he/she has to offer, and share their unique qualities with others less privileged. The need of the hour is to make today’s students take charge of their responsibilities, not only to their family but the greater society around them. This is where the community service activities of the school’s CAS project play a big role. Students, by actively taking part in these community outreach project, develop greater awareness of themselves, concern for others, and the ability to work cooperatively with other people.

It is with this objective in mind that the SelaQui Community CAS project was chalked out. For the SelaQui students, coming from rich backgrounds, and from different parts of the world,  having never been exposed to the harsh realities of life, it presented a unique opportunity to experience first hand the way of life among their less privileged brothers and sisters. Attitudes had to be changed, approaches had to be prepared, empathy, without being condescending had to be developed among the students’ before the start of the CAS project. But, to the credit of the batch of 2007-2008, they rose to the challenge.

The students planned and initiated most of the activities, including Environmental Awareness drive, Cleanliness & Hygiene drive, Drugs Awareness Campaigns, Literacy Drive, Medical Programmes like Blood Donation, to name a few. They liaised with the local community, made self help groups to stop domestic abuses, drinking problems, etc. The enthusiasm with which they took up the activity was like a shot in the arm, not only for the other students but also to the school authorities and teachers, many of whom volunteered to be project In-Charges.

Personally speaking, I had never visioned it to be so dynamic and successful, but the way it shaped up made me feel very proud of the CAS project and the rationale behind incorporating it as a major component of the IB Diploma Programme. Since then, the project has been carried on quite proficiently by my successor.  Even now, I get mails and comments by former students who remember those days with fond memories, and reflect on how their mindset have changed as a result of their learning outcomes vis-a-vis’ new understand and recognising their own potentials, challenges undertaken, working collaboratively, planning and initiating activities, showing perseverance in activities beyond the IB programme, developing new skills, and last but not the least, considering the ethical implications of their actions.

Uploaded by:
Chiranjeet B.