As a part of my CAS experience I volunteered to teach simple mathematics to poor students in a government school at Surat. The aim was to assist them in reinforcing their basic math and language skills to make learning more relatable and fun.

LO3 – Initiate and plan a CAS experience:

Before starting, I planned the topics to cover, ensuring they were appropriate for the students’ level. I prepared simple exercises and interactive activities to make the sessions engaging. Coordinating with the school administration and adjusting my approach based on the students’ needs was a crucial part of this process.

LO4 – Show perseverance and commitment in CAS experiences

It was a kind of difficult work and commitment required to be involved in what happened in this initiative. The school was also attended by us on all Saturdays even in busy times and even when we were tired. It was not the most convenient one all the time, but the possibility to compromise by referring to it was what helped me notice how important reliability and the ability to present myself to the others is. I have learned that perseverance does not only imply going ahead and doing the activity at hand, but also that it is being there and not like an incumbering cloud because others are relying on you.

LO5 – Demonstrate the skills and recognize the benefits of working collaboratively

We organized the team during the organization of lessons of the week and a distribution of roles, some of us more engaged into teaching, some also worked in organization of games or the plan of stages of planting. We exchanged ideas, helped one another when one got issues and even celebrated the minor achievements together. This event has allowed me to appreciate the effectiveness of collaboration in facilitating a greater impact and value of cooperation, communication and a shared duty in a local project.

LO6 – Engagement with issues of global significance

The given CAS experience was also connected with the world problems of unequal access to education, child well-being, and the environment. We were but also part of a global trend to inclusive education that goes further than inclusion of all students in a government school. The physical activities were also healthy to our staff and involved factors relevant and contributing to avoidance of poor health and wellness of staff and addition of trees promoted an environmentally friendly conduct. It has come to my mind that not only major events happen at the global level but even the actions of individuals on the local level may serve the global cause, which also made me feel as a more included part of the world around me.

LO7 – Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions

There is much ethical responsibility used in teaching and training younger students who might be of unfortunate background. We also made sure that all kids were given a degree of serious respect, patience and care. What we did together would be inclusive, thoughtful and respectful of their needs- whether we were in the lesson, in the game or planting. It is this experience that has enabled me to value the role ethics can play in our everyday undertakings and how we have to have an emotional and social touch on whatever we are about to do.