GopalaSwamy Shishuvihara Institutions

Gopalaswamy Shishuvihara is a premier education institution started by the legendary psychologist Dr. M.V. Gopalaswamy in 1928. It is now being managed by Maharaja Education Trust, which runs many educational institutions in and around Mysore. The institution is continuously working in the field of children’s education from KG to PG.

Historical Perspective

Gopalaswamy Shishuvihara is the premier Montessori Institute founded by Dr. M.V. Gopalaswamy, the first psychology professor of Mysore University in 1926. Dr. Gopalaswamy did his Ph.D under Dr. Spearman in London, and started the Psychology Department in Mysore University. To provide education and training to children of the age group 3-5 years, he started Shishuvihara with his wife. He has done research in educating problematic children. He studied the behavioral changes in such children by inventing many games based on special toys, and the effect of music on them. He has coined the word ‘shishuvihara’, and has trained many teachers in Montessori Method, and encouraged some poets to write nursery rhymes in Kannada. He has done pioneering work in other fields also:

1. In 1925, he started “Akashavani” in his house. He was the first in the country to experiment with ‘narrow casting’ radio station. He ran the radio station for 7 years as its director, and then transferred it to Government. All India Radio still uses his word “Akashavani” in its broadcasting.
2. In 1928, he started ‘Shishuvihara’, which was the first Montessori Institution in the state.
3. He was the first to introduce multiple choice questions in examination system.
4. After his retirement from Mysore University as principal, Maharaja College, Dr. Gopalaswamy joined Mental Hospital, Bangalore and founded its research wing, which later has grown into “NIMHANS.”

Goals and Mandate

Maharaja Education Trust is founded by professors who have several years of experience in teaching. Its premier institution, Maharaja Institute of Technology (MIT) has been one of the leading Engineering Colleges of the State. MIT has taken over the management of Shishuvihara and started Gopalaswamy Shishuvihara Institutions, constructed many buildings on the campus, and started PU College, High School, Degree College in the name of Gopalaswamy. The mandates of the Institution are

• To run the Montessori Institution ‘Shishuvihara’ as per the dreams of Dr. Gopalaswamy.
• To run the Primary and Higher Primary Schools where the medium of instruction is Kannada, in an atmosphere where the English Medium is popular.
• To run the High School (English Medium), PU College, catering to the needs of the poor students of the city and surrounding villages.
• To act as a hub of activities promoting social causes, like primary education in mother tongue.

Organizational Structure

The Organizational Structure of Gopalaswamy Shishuvihara Institution is as follows:

• Board of Management
• Advisory Committee

The highest policy making body is the Board of Management.  The President of Shishuvihara is the chairman of this board, though the institution is managed by Maharaja Education Trust.  The affairs of the institution are looked after by the Trust’s representative, and correspondent.

The Advisory Committee consists of a Trustee of Maharaja Education Trust, Correspondent, two advisors and heads of the institutions run by Gopalaswamy Shishuvihara Institution. Its role is policy making, implementation and providing training to the staff.

Institutions established by Maharaja Education Trust