The Days Students Remember

— Written by Srimon Mondal (in collaboration with Pehchaan The Street School)

A few days ago, I was looking through some old photographs and came across one from a school trip. The picture itself was nothing special, just a group of students standing together and smiling at the camera. What surprised me was how quickly I remembered the entire day. I could remember the excitement of leaving school early, the noisy bus ride, and the feeling that something different was about to happen.

I couldn’t remember what was taught in class that week.

Funny how memory works.

While writing about recent activities at Pehchaan The Street School, that photograph came back to my mind.

On 18th June 2026, Pehchaan The Street School organised a visit to KidZania in collaboration with BNPA (Berger Nippon Paint Automotive Coatings Pvt. Ltd.). Twenty-five students and five volunteers took part in the visit.

The day started with snack boxes containing sandwiches, muffins, chips, a water bottle, and Frooti. After that, it did not take long for the students to get involved in the activities around them.

KidZania is designed in a way that allows children to explore different professions through role-play. Throughout the visit, students moved between activities, trying new experiences and engaging themselves in an environment that was very different from their everyday routines.

Some were quick to jump into activities. Others took a little time to observe before joining in. By the middle of the day, almost everyone seemed completely engrossed.

There was plenty of learning involved, but it never felt like a lesson.

Students explored responsibilities, decision-making, teamwork, and communication through participation rather than instruction. What stood out most was their curiosity. Every activity seemed to lead to another question or another discovery.

Lunch was organised for all participants and included pav bhaji, noodles, ice cream, and chips. Between activities and conversations, the day passed quickly.

Around the same time, another initiative was carried out at the GTB Centre.

A donation drive was organised to provide students with learning materials that can support them in their daily academic activities. Each student received a stationery kit, a notebook, and a drawing file.

These are ordinary items that many of us use without giving them much thought. Yet in a classroom, they become tools for participation, practice, creativity, and expression. A notebook gradually fills with classwork and ideas. A drawing file becomes a collection of imagination on paper.

Writing about both initiatives made me think about something I had not considered before.

When people talk about education, they often focus on results. But before results come opportunities. Sometimes that opportunity is a visit that introduces students to something new. Sometimes it is a notebook waiting to be filled.

Different experiences. Different purposes.

Yet both become part of a student’s journey, one memory at a time.

If you would like to support, volunteer, collaborate, or contribute towards creating better learning opportunities for students, you can connect with Pehchaan The Street School (Trust) through the links below:

Website: https://pehchaanstreetschool.org Instagram: https://instagram.com/pehchaanstreetschool?utm_source=ig_profile_share&igshid=181sger2fozl7 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pehchaan-the-street-school-trust/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PehchaanTheStreetSchoolOfficial/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXd4gnTazJh3JugKENt5yog

Every contribution, whether through time, resources, or awareness, helps learning continue beyond boundaries.