lINA ASHAR tells SHAlINI SAKSENA that there is need for learner-centric education and embrace a distinct pattern of imparting knowledge by scrapping subjects and replacing them with topics instead
What are the key changes that the education system has undergoneIJ
There is a shift in innovation. Schools are adapting modern learning techniques now. The demand-supply gap has shifted. Entrepreneurs have started searching for financial benefits in the education system. The concept of success is perhaps constant — someone who is able to navigate his world to achieve the maximum fulfillment, happiness and required materialistic acquisitions — but a different world needs different skills and so does the world of education.
Is this change good from a student’s point of viewIJ
Everything has its pros and cons. We can't have one single pattern to suit one child’s needs. We follow a structural pattern. Every child has a different learning approach. But we need to keep the education system as broad as possible. In the east we tend to physically nurture our children more and this is beneficial for their emotional and cognitive development. However we also tend to academically push them to do certain things at an age that they are not always ready for. Each child is unique and develops at his own pace.
Why has this change come aboutIJ
This change is from the traditional mindset to the modern thinking mindset. But the need of the hour is to adopt a middle path. We need more of neuro-science and practical teaching. We have been doing it since 1993. We ensure that our children not only taste academic success but also gain triumph in every field. Maybe a child is not good in Math, maybe he was born to write thriller stories or be an actor. This is the revolution age. We aim to train its children differently. I trashed my entire curriculum and came up with a fresh one. It’s all about understanding and managing the content.
How is Kangaroo Kids and Billabong different from other schoolsIJ
Our underlying philosophy is “igniting human greatness”. In KKEl, the ‘how’ of education is more important than the ‘what’ of education. We are the pioneers in new format schooling and learning methodology and have initiated a movement that has changed the face of pre-school and high school education in India. We have an in-house R&D team and provide a constantly updated and researched curriculum.
Can you elaborate on teacher training courses and how it has helped students vis a vis other schoolsIJ
All our teachers go through an extensive induction training programme to ensure that they all share and believe in the vision. For the same we have pre-service training and in-service training and keep the facilitators updated on the latest trends in teaching; thereby enhancing student learning.
What is the best way forwardIJ
All of this depends on your value system. I believe in spirituality and a united world. We all need to care for other people too, not only for Indians. Most importantly we need to identify what a kid is born with, how do we nurture it, how do we take it forward. Our version of happiness is different. Parents should not be forcing their children to fit into their happiness.