‘Every child has a unique identity’

Q: What are your new plans for the academic session 2020-21 after pandemic situation?

A: Due to Covid-19 pandemic, It is difficult to predict when schools will restart. Schooling is supposed to look after the holistic development of students, if we think about social distancing, schools are opposite of it. Presently, we are trying to engage students with online teaching and learning. I think a huge shift in mindset is required in the post-pandemic environment. Unfortunately, as far as the education of rural poor students is concerned they inhabit the bottom of a digital abyss. There are a plethora of problems which require serious attention. Cleaning and sanitizing the classroom area where students gather regularly, increase in medical staff and counsellors, I believe that we need a strong parent-school partnership, also, if social distancing has to be understood and implemented. This pandemic has deeply affected all the sectors. I think we need a robust mix of short-term and long-term strategies in place for the survival and revival of our organisation. According to the CBSE guidelines and keeping in mind all stakeholders (teachers, students, parents) the right strategies will be implemented. Students and teachers will be trained for virtual learning effectively.

Q: Education is a holistic process. How do you ensure that in your school?

A: Holistic education is concerned with the development of a person’s intellectual, emotional, social, physical artistic, creative and spiritual potential. As we are the part of progressive education movement, we follow many methodologies like integrated curriculum, group projects that help in development of social skills, to educate our students for social responsibility and democracy and provide various learning resources to them so that they can excel in their lives.

Q: What is the teacher-taught ratio in your school?

A: In the junior section

Students-Teacher ratio
20 to 25 : 1

In the senior section

Students-Teacher ratio
30 to 35 : 1

Q: How have you incorporated innovative teaching methodology in your classrooms?

A: To create an innovative, open, trustworthy place for students, we follow few key actions that teachers can take.

• Teachers create the mood and tone of the room. If teachers are excited about their subjects, students will tend to follow. In our school, we incorporate time-to-time teacher training sessions.
• Sometimes in classrooms, open-ended questions can lead to exciting conversation and new ideas as well as encourage leadership skills.
• Use of smart classes, apps and providing real-world projects offer a platform for students to learn from failures, step up again to eventually find success.
• Sometimes, we break the traditional teaching order and students are asked to present a lecture of a particular chapter in order to make them more confident.

Q: Any special handholding initiative for under achievers?

A: The problem of under achievement is serious. These students aren’t living upto their potential. I think every person wants to be successful and underachiever wants it desperately. Teachers must be willing to change and make their classroom more students friendly. No-doubt teachers have an awesome burden, but they are the last line of defense for these children. Sometimes teachers, parents and administrators use fear to coerce students and that destroys intelligence and makes smart act stupid. Sometimes negative remark derails the learning process. So we regularly counsel our teachers, students, parents and suggest remedial actions. We try to revive their confidence through motivational lectures, seminars. Once a child develops a positive self-image, and then he is on the way to success. Acknowledging a student’s strength is the most important thing to empower them. In classroom when a child’s answer is not factually correct, a slight praise for his effort can work as a wonder.

Q: What are the vocation education classes or skill building opportunities given to students in your school?

A: Every child has a unique identity. Some are good in academic, some in sports, some in drama, music, singing painting, public speaking, yoga, gardening and so on. In our school, we work on all skills so that when our child enters in the real world, he should not feel alien rather he should be more interactive, communicative and have the strength to capture the arena of life.

Q: What is your vision for your students?

A: Every child is a very special individual who needs a happy, secure and challenging environment in which he is to grow. In our school we aim to meet specific educational goals for students as well as developing resilient, independent and socially adapt young children. I always say to my students

“Stop finding faults in others,

Shun sulking attitude

Think out of the box

Develop zeal and zest to win

No matters if you fail

Your every effort counts

You have to flow like a stream

Through plains and uneven land

Powerfully yet gracefully.

Later or Sooner

Success will be yours’.”