School with a difference in the city

Mou Chakraborty
Kolkata, November 21

Kolkata opened its doors to the award-winning Fas TracKids, a US franchise for children’s enrichment programmes. The Colorado based institute started operations on Wednesday with 20 students.
A unique training programme for kids within the age group of six months and eight years Fas TracKids ensures that the child is prepared for school and life. “It is definitely not a substitute for traditional and pre-school. We offer a programme, with a proven track record. The objective is to ensure that there is no books or conventional learning method. “The child should not feel that he has to study. We stress on the fun factor,” said Vasudha Bagri, co-director of Fas TracKids in Kolkata.
The course offered aims at enhancing communication skill among children through application and transfer of knowledge, promoting leadership skills and problem solving. Fas Trackids will help children to cultivate their personality, increase concentration level and set goal for school.
The institution is offering three programmes for students. Fas TrackMusic is a programme for children between the age of 6 months and 8 years. The duration of the programme is one year and includes 12 different CD based lessons to foster self-esteem, social and language skills and stimulates learning. The course includes story telling, plays, singing and use of different props.
For children aged between three to five years, Fas TracTots programme is available. Kids between five and eight can enrol for Fas TracKids. The duration of both is of two years and covers twelve subjects, astronomy, biology, creative literature, creativity, communication, earth sciences, economics, goals and life sciences, mathematics, natural science, speech drama and art and technology.
All the programmes are delivered through DVDs and are videotaped. The child is asked to perform in front of the camera and is shown to their parents. This increases children’s confidence and public speaking skill.
Fas TracKids has 200 centres in 40 countries. There are seven centres in India including Chennai, Cochin, Baroda, Mumbai and Kolkata is the first centre in eastern India. “The units all over the world follow the same programme set in Colorado. If a parent relocates to another country, his or her children can continue their education at Fas TracKids because all units follow the same programme,” said Vishal Shroff, co-director of the Kolkata venture.
Fas TracKids would maintain 8:1 teachers students ratio. Experts from US will train local teachers. Classes will be held one day every week for two hours. Parents will have the flexibility to choose timings according to their convenience.
Registration fee for the programme is Rs 1500. The monthly tuition fee for the music programme is Rs 800, for the Tots programme is Rs 1000 and for the kids programme is Rs. 1250. “There are no examinations but teachers would evaluate the children in class based on their response to the curriculum. Parent teacher meeting would be held once a month,” said Bagri.
Mou.Chakraborty@hindustantimes.com