S T U D E N T R E P O R T E R S G L O B A L V O L . 1 · I S S U E 1 · 2 0 2 5 S D G 4 · S P E C I A L I S S U E ● S U S T A I N A B L E D E V E L O P M E N T G O A L 4 When the World is Your Classroom: How Young Minds Are Rewriting the Rules of Learning I N S I D E T H I S I S S U E F I E L D R E P O R T Libraries Without Walls: Street Learning in South Asia How sidewalk schools are teaching thousands of children who never entered a building. T E C H & L E A R N I N G One Phone, One Village: Digital Access in Rural Communities A single smartphone becomes a lifeline for an entire community's education. V O I C E S "I Teach My Mother": When Children Become the Educators Young learners share skills across generations in refugee settlements. A N A LY S I S Quality vs. Access: Why Having School Isn't Enough The uncomfortable gap between enrolling children and actually educating them. R E P O R T E D B Y Student Correspondents Worldwide C O V E R 1 The Learning ChroniclesEducation Beyond Classrooms≡ ◎ ∿T H I S I S S U E ' S C O V E R S T O R Y 244M children worldwide out of school today ∞ places where real learning happens 2030 global deadline for quality education
T H E L E A R N I N G C H R O N I C L E S S T U D E N T P E R S P E C T I V E · P A G E 3 Page 3 M Y K I N D O F S C H O O L Salwan Public School — Reimagined. Four proposals from a student who believes the best schools are still being built. Salwan Public School already leads in many ways — its green campus and life skills programme are genuine strengths. But as a student reporter for The Learning Chronicles, I believe even a great school can grow greater. Across pages 3 and 4, I present four changes I would propose — how they can be implemented, and the positive impact they may have on every student at Salwan. S Salwan Public School Rajendra Nagar, New Delhi · Est. 1956 A L R E A D Y D O I N G W E L L Green campus Life skills periods Strong academics This page covers Proposals 1 & 2. Turn to Page 4 for Proposals 3 & 4. 1 C A N T E E N U P G R A D E A Modern, Nutritious School Canteen "You cannot focus on learning when you are eating junk or going hungry." Basic canteen now Upgraded food court T H E P R O B L E M The current school canteen offers a limited and often unhealthy menu — fried snacks, sugary drinks, and repetitive options. There is poor hygiene infrastructure, uncomfortable seating, and no nutritious choice for students who rely on it for their midday meal. T H E C H A N G E Renovate the canteen with a clean, well-ventilated dining area and proper seating. Introduce a balanced menu including fresh fruits, salads, dal-rice, sandwiches, and healthy snacks at affordable prices. Display nutritional information at the counter. Form a student-led Canteen Committee that reviews menus monthly and ensures hygiene standards are consistently maintained. I M P L E M E N T A T I O N The school administration can partner with a responsible canteen vendor with a nutritionist-approved menu. Student council representatives can inspect hygiene weekly and report to the principal. Pricing can be kept affordable through bulk ingredient procurement and parent contributions. Better nutrition improves student concentration, energy levels, and academic performance throughout the day. Students develop healthy eating habits that stay with them well beyond school years. A clean, welcoming canteen becomes a social space that builds a stronger school community. 2 C L A S S R O O M C O M F O R T Air-Conditioned Classrooms for Better Learning "Delhi summers reach 45°C — no student can truly concentrate in that heat." ~45°C No AC, peak summer AC classrooms T H E P R O B L E M Delhi's summer temperatures regularly cross 45°C. Classrooms without air conditioning become unbearable between April and June — students are sweating, restless, and unable to concentrate. This directly harms learning outcomes during the most crucial exam-preparation months of the year. T H E C H A N G E Install energy-efficient inverter ACs in all classrooms, beginning with senior school rooms used for board exam preparation. To keep costs and electricity use sustainable, expand the school's existing solar panel infrastructure on the green campus rooftop and use solar-generated power to run the ACs responsibly. I M P L E M E N T A T I O N The school can apply for government grants under smart school schemes or use the PTA fund for initial installation. A student Eco Committee can monitor usage — ensuring ACs are switched off when rooms are empty — making this change both comfortable and environmentally responsible. Students concentrate significantly better in comfortable temperatures — research confirms heat reduces cognitive ability. Attendance improves during summer months when extreme heat currently drives absenteeism. Solar-powered cooling aligns perfectly with the school's existing green campus values. T H E L E A R N I N G C H R O N I C L E S · S D G 4 S P E C I A L I S S U E Continued on Page 4 → 3
T H E L E A R N I N G C H R O N I C L E S S T U D E N T P E R S P E C T I V E · P A G E 4 Page 4 ← Continued from Page 3 · My Kind of School ✓ Proposal 1: Canteen ✓ Proposal 2: AC Classrooms → Proposal 3: International Trips → Proposal 4: Sports & Games 3 G L O B A L L E A R N I N G International Educational Exchange Trips " e world is the greatest classroom — and most of us have never left our city." No international trips Exchange programme T H E P R O B L E M Salwan students attend domestic trips but there is no structured international educational exchange programme. Most students graduate having never experienced a different country, culture, or school system — limiting their global perspective at a time when the world increasingly demands it from young professionals. T H E C H A N G E Establish an annual International Learning Trip for selected students from grades 9–12, focused on academic and cultural exchange — visiting schools, science museums, heritage sites, and universities in countries like Singapore, Japan, the UK, or UAE. Partner with embassies and international education boards for subsidised access and cultural programmes. I M P L E M E N T A T I O N Create a merit-cum-need scholarship fund using alumni donations and CSR partnerships so the trip is not only accessible to affluent families. Students can apply through an essay and interview process. Participants present their learnings to the whole school upon return, multiplying the impact of every single trip. Students gain global awareness, cultural empathy, and confidence that no textbook can provide. Exposure to world-class institutions inspires higher ambition and broader career thinking. The scholarship model ensures inclusivity — this becomes an opportunity, not a privilege. 4 S P O R T S & P L A Y Introducing More Games & Expanding the Sports Programme "Sport teaches teamwork, resilience, and joy — things no exam ever will." 2–3 sports only Limited options now ChessSwimYoga TT Badm.More Diverse sports programme T H E P R O B L E M The school's sports programme is currently limited to a small selection of games — mainly cricket and football — with few options for girls or students who prefer individual or indoor sports. Many students spend their PT period idle simply because they do not connect with the games currently on offer. T H E C H A N G E Introduce a wider range of sports and games including chess, badminton, swimming, yoga, martial arts, table tennis, and track athletics. Build a dedicated indoor games room for chess, carrom, and table tennis. Ensure equal sporting opportunities across all genders. Establish inter-house tournaments to build healthy competition and lasting team spirit throughout the school year. I M P L E M E N T A T I O N Hire specialist coaches for at least three new sports through the school's annual budget or sports sponsorships. Repurpose an unused room as an indoor games hall. Introduce a "Sports Choice Period" twice a week where students select their preferred activity, giving every student ownership over their physical development and enjoyment. Physical activity boosts mental health, mood, and academic focus — benefiting every student every day. More options mean every student finds a sport they love — no one is left on the sidelines. Team sports build collaboration, discipline, and resilience — skills for life far beyond school. "Salwan already does so much right. A green campus, life skills, strong academics — these are genuine strengths. ese four proposals are not criticisms. ey are the next chapter of a school that has always believed in growing." — S T U D E N T R E P O R T E R , T H E L E A R N I N G C H R O N I C L E S · S D G 4 S P E C I A L I S S U E T H E L E A R N I N G C H R O N I C L E S · S D G 4 S P E C I A L I S S U E 4