The Junior Youth Empowerment Programme (JYEP) is a comprehensive moral educational initiative specifically designed for young individuals aged 12 to 15, who find themselves in a pivotal transitional phase between childhood and youth. It is during these formative years that fundamental concepts about life take shape in their minds, ultimately shaping their path of development for the years to come.
This programme aims to introduce these junior youth to a diverse range of empowering pathways, enhancing their ability to express themselves, refining their spiritual perception, and nurturing their commitment to fostering peace, love and harmony in the world. By equipping these youth with a profound understanding of their own capabilities to effect positive change, the programme empowers them to become conscious agents of their own growth and active contributors to the creation of a harmonious world.
City Montessori School (CMS) cordially invites you to apply for a transformative service opportunity at one of its esteemed campuses in Lucknow, India. With a remarkable presence of over 60,000 students across 21 campuses, CMS stands as one of the largest educational institutions globally. Recognizing the importance of empowering junior youth, CMS has seamlessly integrated a dedicated programme within its curriculum.
This invitation presents a truly exceptional prospect for young individuals of great capability to contribute towards the empowerment and nurturing of countless junior youth. Within the context of this unique institution, they will have the exceptional opportunity to provide an education that may otherwise be inaccessible to these young individuals.
The success of this program hinges upon the involvement of enthusiastic youth who are willing to serve as facilitators and trainers for a period of service ranging from six months to one year. By dedicating their time and expertise, these volunteers will not only make a profound impact on the lives of junior youth but also derive immense joy and personal fulfilment as they actively contribute to the betterment of society.
Join us in this remarkable journey of service and empowerment as we collectively shape a brighter future for generations to come.
There will be one time tabled period each week of moral education classes and/or junior youth groups for each section of students, which will be facilitated by the volunteer youth. Each section consists of roughly 40-60 students, so the experience will be noticeably different from a typical junior youth group of 15 participants. As this is a new scheme, it is likely that the full extent of the involvement of youth volunteers will develop and evolve during their time here. Other potential service opportunities include acting as general teaching assistants, helping with the community outreach programmes, visiting homes of the students who serve as animators, and other service activities. The main role, however, will be to run junior youth groups within the school time table. Thus, a youth volunteer’s typical daily schedule would be attending school in the mornings and afternoons, and in the evenings being engaged in activities ranging from participating in study sessions organized by the department of Character Education & Youth Empowerment as well as service activities with the wider society. Youth volunteers will of course have some leisure time to spend as they wish, whilst remembering that their actions represent CMS and their parent community.
City Montessori School, renowned as the world's largest city-school, boasts a staggering student body of over 60,000 learners aged 2-18, spread across 21 campuses in Lucknow. While CMS undeniably aims to provide a comprehensive education to its students, fostering academic excellence and nurturing their intellectual abilities, its mission goes beyond academic achievements. The school is deeply committed to instilling a spirit of service and cultivating the innate capacity of its pupils to actively contribute their share to the betterment of society.
At the core of CMS's educational philosophy lies the powerful principle that "The Earth is but one country and mankind its citizens." This principle guides the actions and beliefs of the school community. Each day, during their morning assemblies, CMS pupils fervently recite prayers that bear testament to their recognition that the purpose of their lives is to know and worship God. The school community strives to comprehend the profound implications of this principle, dedicating its utmost efforts to nurturing visionary leaders and engaged global citizens who are steadfast in their commitment to fostering world peace and unity.
City Montessori School (CMS) proudly hosts a multitude of international events and conferences on a regular basis. These enriching gatherings are designed to enhance the growth and development of CMS students, staff, as well as individuals playing pivotal roles in society.
As youth volunteers, you will have the invaluable opportunity to attend and actively participate in these events, tailoring your involvement to suit your preferences. Among the notable events is the esteemed International Conference of Chief Justices, also known as The Global Peace Congress. These gatherings align harmoniously with the school's resounding motto of "Jai Jagat," which translates to "Hail the World."
By joining us in these events, you will immerse yourself in an environment that embraces global unity and promotes meaningful dialogue and action. Together, we will embrace the spirit of collaboration and work towards creating a better world for all.
Youth volunteers will be expected to come to the city of Lucknow by their own means, preferably in March if intending to stay for 6 months, and July for one year. Oncethey arrive in Lucknow (either at the train station or the airport), they will be the guests of City Montessori School. CMS will take care of their accommodation and food requirements, and will offer a modest stipend to cover any additional living expenses. CMS will ensure that all the youth have access to basic medical care. All youth should come with medical insurance. In addition, youth will have access to CMS facilities whenever they are not in use by school pupils or events - including social spaces, work spaces, outdoor spaces, libraries, and facilities for music, sport, art, computing and internet access. Accommodation will be in the form of an air-conditioned en suite hotel-style room shared by two youth of the same gender and similar age.
In addition, volunteers should be willing to adapt to a new culture and surroundings,handle large class sizes, and, most importantly, be willing to learn while serving.
Prior experience of facilitating children’s classes and junior youth groups is preferable. In addition, those applicants who have completed the institute books 3 and 5 - which contain training for children’s class teachers and junior youth animators respectively - will be favoured. The orientation programme will include the study of the Junior Youth Empowerment Program materials, refresher on some institute materials, Discourse on Social Action, and relevant materials of youth conferences.
Please DOWNLOAD and fill our application form and sent back to at youthempowerment@cmseducation.org as an attachment.
More information on CMS can be found at https://www.cmseducation.org If you have any queries, please contact us at youthempowerment@cmseducation.org
Training of newly appointed junior and senior teachers on Raising Capability for Social Action 20-21 July 2019
Seminar on Virtues Project on 20 - 29 June 2019 & 3 July 2019
Seminar on Virtues Project from 20th to 29th June 2019 for the co-ordinators of Pre-Primary and teachers of Primary section of all 18 campuses of CMS by Mrs. Dara Feldman from USA
Seminar on Virtues Project on 3rd July 2019 for the Principals and Vice Principals of all 18 campuses of CMS by Mrs. Dara Feldman from USA
Training of 9th graders of all campuses of CMS on ‘Drawing on the Power of the Word’
Animator training in the month of March 2019 in 10 campuses of CMS
Preparatory workshop on Book 5, ‘Releasing the Powers of the Junior Youth’ from 20-25 February 2019
International Conference on Character Education and Future Impact, 2-3 February 2019
Workshop focusing on “Awakening the Gifts of Character: An Introduction to The Virtues Project” by Mrs. Dara Feldman from USA in February 2019
Workshop by Mr. Dave Feldman from USA on “Initiating Sustainability in your Campus and in your own Communities” in January 2019
Moral Science Workshop in January 2019
Animators’ Conference on 23rd and 24th December 2018
Pre-primary teacher training on ‘Hidden Gems’ in November-December 2018
Animators’ Conference on 13th and 14th October 2018
Orientation sessions on Book 10
Preparatory seminar on 28th September 2018 for facilitators of Animators’ Conference on ‘Drawing on the Power of the Word’
In-service teacher training for JYEP
Training of teachers at CMS Rajajipuram Campus II
Seminar for junior teachers (classes 8, 9 and 10) on 19th September 2018 on ‘Raising Capability for Social Action’
Preparatory seminar on 18th September 2018 for facilitators of Junior Teacher Training
Two-Day Seminar for senior teachers (classes 9-10) on 25th and 26th June 2018 on ‘Raising Capability for Social Action’
Two-Day Seminar for senior teachers (classes 11-12) on 22nd and 23rd June 2018 on ‘Raising Capability for Social Action’
Preparatory seminar on 18th June 2018 for facilitators of Senior Teacher Training
Training of 11th grade animators in April 2018
Workshop by Mr. Tim Schaffter & Mrs. Diana Schaffter in April 2018 with the eco club members and environment coordinators, JYEP coordinators and animators, Model United Nation (MUN) clubs, and share UNICEF’s work on child rights and development and shortcomings of the UN from a practitioner’s point of view and experience
Animators’ Training in 9 JYEP campuses in March 2018
Preparatory Seminar for 4 days in February 2018 for all JYEP teachers/coordinators/volunteers on ‘Releasing the Powers of Junior Youth’ based on Book 5
Workshop on ‘Character Education, Oral Hygiene & Model UN at The Hague’ by Ms Tahireh Danesh from UK and Dr. Victoria Tedjarati from China in January 2018
Almost all the Campuses had their Open Day Functions throughout the year, during which the Junior Youth and their Animators, through creative and interactive presentations, educated their parents about the salient features of this programme. These events were wonderful and at the end of each one of them, the parents were served dinner and they closely interacted with the Animators and the Co-ordinators of the programme.
The Junior Youth and the Animators of the Indira Nagar Campus organized an Exhibition at their respective branch on April 04, 2023. The school invited the parents of the Junior Youth and the Animators to this great event. The guests greatly enjoyed participating in this programme.
In 2022, we had two great conferences, one in October for the Animators of Classes 9 and 11 and one in December for the Animators of classes 10 and 12. The book, ‘Wellspring of Joy,’ was studied in these two conferences. Each conference was for a period of two days during which the youth not only learnt a lot, but also had a lot of fun. Both these conferences were very successful and more than 900 Animators participated in them.
We had several training sessions for the training of the new volunteers in the different branches of the school in March and April 2023. Most of these conferences were for about a week or so during which the training manual for the programme was studied and the volunteers were also introduced to the three books that are taught in the JYEP classes at CMS. We had close to 800 volunteers participating in these training sessions.
There are a number of educators who have described some of the innate intellectual and spiritual powers that manifest themselves during the transitional stage of adolescence. One, for example, has underscored the interest junior youth exhibit in theoretical problems not related to everyday realities. Another has emphasized the role they can play in social change calling each generation of adolescents "a vital regenerator in the process of evolution," who can "offer its loyalties and energies both to the conservation of that which continues to feel true and to the revolutionary correction of that which has lost its regenerative significance." And yet another thinker has called attention to the potential of transformation in adolescence by stating that at that stage of life human beings are like "empty but organic receptacles, fully formed though still growing, capable of receiving with all their being." Convinced that education should take advantage of the intensity that various modes of perception can bring to every experience, he has noted that such intensity, "together with integrity of being," can make of human society "a living, thriving, truly loving, joyously full and exuberant organism, rather than a cold, mechanical, empty theoretical concept." "That is the magic of transformation," are his words, "and that is the potential of adolescence.”
