‘We aspire to develop socially conscious citizens’

He is a B.Sc.(Hons. in Maths),M.Sc,B.Ed. NIS (Football) with a PGDM in Sports Management.

Mr Sengupta has 20 years of experience as principal in various educational institutions like Podar International School,Jalna,Maharashtra,Singhania Public School,Gujarat,Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan,Tripura,and as vice-principal and co-ordinator of NOS JP Group (MP),as a House Master in Vikas Vidyalaya ,member IPSE,Maths teacher and in-charge,Sports and Games in Nabarun Point English Medium School,Maths teacher/resident warden/in-charge Football in Ramakrishna Mission School (AP) and Maths teacher/in-charge Sports and Games in Paro Central School (Bhutan).

He has represented the district football team and worked with FIFA coaches and ex-olyimpians for football coaching in the national football tournament.

His ‘Quest’ for knowledge and expertise have made him a passionate learner,honing his non-scholastic skills as well. He has participated in various national level conferences,seminars and workshops. He has participated in the educational orientation course conducted by NCERT- Orissa,British Educational Technology Training workshop in London and is the recipient of UNESCO Fellowship Award in the Fourth Educational Leadership Roundtable at Lucknow.

Mr Sengupta has achieved many accolades for his contribution to education and sports. He has received a Three Star Merit Certificate from the Ministry of Education,New Delhi,Rajiv Gandhi Foundation Award from International Institute of Management and Education,New Delhi,Bharat Shiksha Award by Friendship Forum of India,New Delhi,and has been nominated for National Award by the Government of India.

What is the vision of Ram Ratna Vidya Mandir?

Ram Ratna Vidya Mandir has been set up with a vision to nurture Bharatiya cultural values among students,with modern teaching methods that ensure an enriched Indian upbringing. It aspires to develop socially conscious citizens of tomorrow who will provide enlightened leadership in all walks of life. The school’s vision is set with a futuristic view that students are the leaders of tomorrow. They are the ones who will not only lead their family but also the country to the path of progress. A progressive and developed country has its foundation built upon citizens who are not only intellectual,but also socially and spiritually developed.

How does CCE (Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation) play a role in the holistic development of students?

The CCE pattern is a tremendous achievement by CBSE and caters to the holistic development of students,making their journey of education exciting and enjoyable. The pattern has been positively accepted by teachers as well as students. For teachers,it gives an opportunity to evaluate students at various levels and for the students,it does away with the pressures of rote learning or learning without comprehending.

How has ICT (In Class Teaching) become an indispensable part of educational institutions in modern times and how is it best utilised in your school?

Education today has undergone a tremendous change. It has gone beyond the shackles of traditional form of educational and rote learning to the utilisation of modern teaching and learning techniques to make teaching and learning easier for teachers as well as students. Hence,ICT has become an indispensible part of educational institution. ICT is an add-on experience that enables teachers to take their students beyond the classroom. Moreover,administration has become hassle-free with the help of ICT. In our school,we have a spacious AV room which the teachers utilise. We have installed Smart Class solutions in classrooms.

Do you believe in training for teachers on a continuous basis?

It is my firm belief that teaching should never be stagnant as knowledge is ever-growing and ever-flowing. Various arrangements are made by our institution in-house as well as by external experts to train our faculty through seminars,conferences and workshops so that they are constantly upgrading themselves. Both teachers and students are sent for exchange programmes to other schools for enriching their knowledge levels on a regular basis.

What are the challenges before teachers in imparting value education in the present global scenario?

Education plays a vital role in a person’s life as it is the tool that helps one to realise oneself and in the process,the “Supreme Being”. The educational system should not only cater to imparting knowledge for intellectual growth but also to the emotional,social,physical and spiritual growth of students.

As quoted by Swami Vivekananda,“We want ‘that education’ by which character is formed,strength of the mind increased,the intellect expanded and by which one can stand on one’s own feet”. In the ancient times,gurukuls had been established with the auspicious ideal of channelising the value system in the society that led to social progress,with students imbibing noble qualities and ethos. But the present day scenario has undergone a tremendous change. The objective is not to enjoy an education of this sort but to pass examinations and obtain a degree which is useful in getting a job. Social pressures on today’s youth are to be an engineer,a doctor or a chartered accountant but not a commendable individual. Students seem to have no role model and rarely do you find them saying that they want to grow up as worthy citizens ,a dutiful son or daughter or a responsible father or mother.

Not many opt for the teaching profession as monetary compensation is not as high as compared to other professions. In the rat race to ensure and establish themselves in this materialistic world,students ignore the true purpose of education,that is,the ultimate realisation of the ‘Self’.

Today’s children are unlike those in the past. The Facebook generation,as they call themselves,finds it not so cool to learn values in school as they love to do things which are fun. They feel that value education is not a commercial subject and is not a need for the future.

In these circumstances,it becomes difficult for teachers to impart value education to students and hence it calls for the sincerity and dedication of teachers as the onus lies on them being the only one to spend more and constructive time with students. It is here that the national responsibility of the teacher finds expression.

It is time to reconfigure education on the basis of values. All this is possible if teachers choose this noble profession by choice and not by chance and they should articulate the need to understand the purpose of education respectively.

Apart from imparting education,teachers should treat students with affection on a par with their own children to help them grow into integrated personalities.

How will extracurricular activities help in the overall development of your students?

The school emphasises growth,learning and development through physical activity. Students are encouraged to engage themselves in a variety of activities and participate in inter-house as well as inter-school competitions. Facilities for sports like athletics,cricket,football,volleyball,basketball,carrom,swimming,table-tennis,badminton etc. are available to students with competent coaches to nurture physical activities and inculcate a sporting attitude among them. They learn to be competent individuals with a sense of teamwork. Leadership skills are honed in students and the focus is on their health and fitness.

Moreover,students are given an opportunity to enhance their skills in performing arts and creative interests and are encouraged to participate in speech and drama,debates,declamation,quizzes and elocution. Singing and playing musical instruments with trained teachers helps them develop an ear for music.

We also have trained teachers for dance. The school takes care of Indian culture and family values at its best.

What is your opinion on the role of sports in the overall development of the students?

Being an ardent follower of Swami Vivekananda,I believe that education should cater to character formation,strengthening of the mind and expansion of the intellect,which will enhance the personality of students and enable them stand on their own feet. Being a post graduate in Sports Management from Kolkota and an NIS certificate holder in Football from NISS,I have experienced the significance of sports in one’s life and I firmly believe that it helps in the overall development of students.