We set examples,rote not our forte

With a view to globalise the education scenario in India,the CBSE board has been focussing on disseminating knowledge and inculcating a practical approach in students.

Also,in its efforts,it has upheld its duties of Corporate Social Responsibility.

Setting an example,the school has tied up with an NGO in the vicinity and adopted ten of its inhabitants. Also,these students will be provided free education till Class 12 by the school in an effort to bridge the gap between the illiterate and the educated.

The Proverb,“The only person who is educated is the one who has learned how to learn and change” is the principle that the management follows day in and out by adopting and applying numerous new policy changes and educational reform on the field to mould students and groom them for a rewarding future.

The school has two CBSE branches in Airoli and Panvel and a section for SSC batch students as well to cater to their needs.

Keeping pace with the growing competition and introduction of IGCSE curriculum,the director of School conducts regular intensive workshops for the teaching faculty. This helps in updating them on innovation in education.

This seems to be the key to bridging the gap between educational boards and creating uniformity.

Excerpts from the interview that focusses on a linear set of issues in the educational system and throws light on the functioning of the school and why it is so unique and systematic.

What is the USP of your educational institution? What are the aspects that set it different?

We have two CBSE schools that operate on the ideology “Innovation in education” at Airoli and Panvel.

We follow the CBSE curriculum and believe in providing value education to students. Our goal is to encourage students in the process of participation.

When a platform is provided,students can come up with out-of-the-box and unique ideas,and it gives them a fresh perspective to make their mark. The way a student develops views is very crucial and decisive.

We believe that this tool is very important and can make or break a student.

We neither promote nor support ‘learning by rote” or ‘bookish knowledge. Students should explore and let their latent talent come out.

Rote learning leads to monotony and students need to have fun. Happy students perform better in every aspect of education.

Our methods of evaluation are very different and unique.

We monitor students on a variety of factors like participation in class,the fine arts and sports,besides academics.

This ensures holistic,rather than partial development of students.

We inculcate among students a feeling of “Freedom of Expression” by asking them honest feedbacks and working constructively on them as well.

What is your take on new school bus norms and safety measures dictated by RTO that came after accidents involving school kids?

We have been following every rule set by RTO to ensure maximum safety of students. We have received a copy of the RTO rules and have taken up sufficient measures regarding the same.

In fact,in the entire Navi Mumbai,our school has been the first to comply with all rules and regulations and we have been appreciated for that.

The authorities concerned have surveyed our methods and installations and given us credits for being the role model for schools in the arena.

We believe in updating technologies and putting manpower to the best possible use.

We convened a PTA meeting with all core committee members; stakeholders and teachers regarding the framing of requisite measures for students. We have speed governors,female attendants,surveillance systems and caretakers who are well trained to provide first aid and basic treatment in an event of an accident or emergency.

We have specifically trained the care-takers with drills and first aid methods in a bid to ensure student safety.

For any school,students’ safety should be the first priority and our teachers are very well aware of all their responsibilities. They teach our students about road safety and security and create general awareness among them.

We have RSP (Road Safety Programme) course that teaches students about road rules,dos and don’ts.

From the first week of the academic year,we conduct coaching sessions for students from class 1 to 12 regarding road safety. Parents can contact attendants and enquire about their wards and vice-versa. This ensures a healthy communication towards student safety.

The rule that no students should fail till class 8 has created quite a flurry. Is it difficult for your school to cope with?What are the measures in place?

Well,we are not facing any problems in this regard due to our network of teachers and awareness among students.

We make students understand that education is the foundation to anything and everything you do in life.

Hence,a good,solid foundation is imperative.

We have “Candidate Support Programmes” also called remedial classes for weak students. It is all about extra efforts .

Irrespective of economic or class divisions,we train students and ensure they pass to the next class rather than just keep moving up the ladder with no effort on their part.

This will definitely affect quality of education among students,and teachers should make efforts to overcome any hurdles.

What do you feel about the topper system? Do you think the media hype on students’ score is justified?

This is not a very good approach and places too much focus on one success over many disappointments. It is not feasible and does not appeal to us.

The approach to education has to be holistic and even judging methods should be the same.

Only scoring 98% in examinations does not judge a student’s mettle or capabilities.

There are many factors that need to be taken into consideration that can make a student complete in the full sense.

There is emotional quotient and cultural quotient as well that usually get sidelined,but should not. We should definitely focus on all these aspects in children’s personality before judging them.

But certain “classes” stealing a student’s hard work and credit for success has become a fad or an art of advertising. They build and project their image to gullible audiences.

The herculean task of character building that involves overall development of a child is done by the school at every stage.

How do you expect an institute to do that in a class?

The ICSE board is planning to introduce IGCSE curriculum in ICSE board.

Is it viable and what are its pros and cons?

In a very honest and viable way,IGCSE is a very welcome change in the field of education in India.

It is our chance to blend education with international curriculum and produce global citizens. Such an effort can prepare students to face competition out there.

Parents in India have wanted such a change for a long time without success. They would incur huge sums as student’s fees for international education which was not feasible and ‘international students’ did not cater to needs of Indian students.

Hence,it is a wonderful package and value addition for students.

Finances can be managed and better education can be provided which is on a par with international education.

It is rightly said that students who will be presented with an opportunity to study in IGCSE would get the best of both worlds.

The teaching methods,pedagogy and continuous and complete evaluation of students can be used to bridge the gap between international and Indian students.

IGCSE will definitely standardise education and create global citizens and we should welcome it.

CBSE and ICSE have Integrity clubs that provide exposure to students in various arenas. As an academician,what advice would you give SSC board to provide holistic education to students?

There should be some system to prevent stagnation among faculties with regard to knowledge and innovation.

There should be in-house training for teachers on a regular basis. This training can update teachers about changes in the curriculum and techniques in teaching.

This will ensure that quality and standard of education will reach higher levels. Teacher-student interaction will be enhanced when students are be more involved.

They should focus on strategies to be employed and put to use every aspect of a child in terms of education.

A thorough research should be done as students need to get exposure to world arts,culture and events. Learning by rote gives nothing.

How important is sports in overall education of a child? What measures does the school implement?

Sports in school are of two levels.

We have a physical education class where drills,exercises and yoga are taught to students on a regular basis.

The curriculum is designed including these activities for an entire year.

We have activity periods as well. Special coaches are hired by the school to train students in athletics,gymnastics and sports.

These coaches are national level players and skilled in their craft.

We promote sports like gymnastics,karate,taekwondo,chess,skating,cricket and handball.

Our students have been qualifying at the national and international levels in various sporting competitions

and it is heartening to see the efforts paying off.

Sport in general creates a sound mind and a fit,agile body. It brings a certain amount of discipline into the day to day life,besides teaching team-spirit.

Such students can face stress and difficult situations better.

How are extra-curricular activities important for holistic development of a student? What activities does the school conduct?

In short,we focus on enhancing emotional,intelligence and cultural quotient among students.

Students are involved in Fine arts and dramatics which tunes them to artistic endeavours.

Co-curricular activities re important and sensible in the whole run of education and should not be ignored.

We have a grand annual day and ensure 100% participation by students. It very purpose is that every person should go on stage and face his fears and conquer them.

It makes them confident,which is needed. We allow students to stage solo-acts and streetplays as well.

We have conducted streetplays on social issues. This conveyed the issues to students in a self-explanatory way and helped them understand the impact of such skits on the public.We believe that such plays can make students socially empathetic than merely sympathetic and create a desire to work for betterment of society.