Gurgaon: A unique school here that admits no more than 12 students to a class and is strictly against rote-based education has won the 'Best Preparatory School' award.

Congress MP and former minister of state for external affairs Shashi Tharoor gave away the Big Brands Research award to Dihika: Living Wisdom School here on late Saturday, school director Priti Mishra Issar said.

Big Brands Research is an organization dedicated to the recognition and felicitation of the best performers in different industries and business categories.

Issar said the school, set up only two years ago, was selected for the award following a market research study across north India.

The school, which now admits students from the early playschool to Class 5, follows the ancient principles of Yoga Vedanta and is affiliated to the California-based Education for Life Environment.

"Schools have abandoned moral and spiritual instruction altogether for fear of encouraging bigotry," said Issar. "This is where we are different.", she added

"We provide a spirit-centered learning environment that uses techniques continuously refined in similar Living Wisdom Schools in the US," she said. These included meditation and chanting.

"With no more than 12 pupils to a class, teachers are able to assess each child's academic progress and personal growth on a continuing basis and to set up his learning based on his personal rhythm," she said. IANS