The civic body recently started “concentration classes” for 6,000 children from its 49 secondary schools who will appear for SSC next year.

Called “Anapana Sati”, the classes are based on the vipassana meditation technique. “Anapana Sati is a Pali word and implies the awareness of incoming and outgoing breadth. It’s a technique wherein one needs to observe one’s natural breath,” said Mrudula Modi, volunteer, Vipassana International Academy (Igatpuri-Nasik).

The benefits, explained Modi, are several—it improves concentration and memory, increases self-confidence, develops awareness and purifies the mind.

“The idea is to offer alternative solutions instead of making children cram their lessons or attend tuitions unnecessarily which many can't even afford,” she said.

Children's course teachers (CCT)-volunteers from the academy-have divided the schools into three phases. “Once we finish teaching the Std X students, the BMC and the academy have taken a joint decision to gradually cover all children studying in its schools and schedules will be prepared accordingly,” said Urmila Lunvara, an academy member.

Ganpat Kadam Marg School, Dixit Road School, Malad (West) School, New Sion School, N M Joshi School, Prabhadevi School and Dr Babasaheb Ambedkar School are among those covered in the first phase that started in October-end.

“I spoke with children and the classes have benefited them. They certainly seem to have developed more confidence and are able to concentrate more. If they practise regularly, there should be a visible positive change in their results,” said Malad (West) Secondary School principal Gangurde Jayashree.

The academy volunteers recently conducted a three-day session (Monday 5-7) at the school for Std X students from Hindi, Marathi, Urdu and Tamil mediums.

The volunteers initially explained the reasons for conducting the course and its long-term benefits to students who were divided into small groups. The days were divided into pre-course, anapana, group sittings, counselling and open house discussions. Once the sessions were over, students to write about their experiences.

“We welcome the new idea and it has been a confidence-building exercise for many. I intend to practise it regularly and hope that it will enable me to give a tension-free exam,” said Prashant R More, a standard 10 student.

The teaching and non-teaching staff was also included in the programme so that they could guide the students whenever necessary.