‘Quality school education must to prep students for higher studies’
First person: Navdeep Bhardwaj, president, National Federation of Independent Schools
School education plays a vital role in setting the foundation for children before they step out to face the world.
Navdeep Bhardwaj, president, National Federation of Independent Schools, talks to Mahesh Sharma about the need to prioritise basic education for preparing students for higher studies, and requirements of the ever-evolving society.
How long have you been associated with school education?
I have been in the field since 2008. Presently, I manage a group of secondary education institutes in Punjab and Haryana. Our organisation was founded in 2016 with an intent to safeguard the interests of management committees of independent schools.
What are the major issues of schools associated with you?
Over one lakh independent schools and their principals from are associated with our organisation. Most of them are facing similar issues. In absence of any facilities from governments, we face difficulties in rather mundane matters. Acquiring mandatory permissions at the time of establishment and renewing these sanctions is a cumbersome process in almost all states, including Punjab.
Do you get any concessions in tariffs and taxes?
All our demands to provide concessions and tariffs have fallen on deaf ears till now. We have been paying levies which are higher than commercial organisations.
How do private schools impart better education than government institutes?
As most of the schools are run by educational trusts that have like-minded office-bearers and members, internal policies and guidelines are focused on optimum use of resources, including human resource. Our organisation does not allow exploitation of the employees and accountability of every person is ensured, thus yielding desired results.
How important is secondary education before higher studies?
Extensive knowledge in each subject is a prerequisite for pursuing higher education in any given stream.
Do you think parents understand the importance of school education?
Unfortunately, most parents have failed to make the education of their children a top priority. It is high time that they make the quality of education a top priority, instead of spending huge amounts on luxuries and comforts.
What is your advice for the parents?
Currently, teachers at almost all schools have to devote a lot of energy and time on teaching the students to be disciplined and receptive towards knowledge being imparted in classrooms. Parents should counsel their children about this and send them to schools after encouraging them to learn the maximum on any given day.
