‘Teachers Playing Facilitators in Classrooms’

education

It is the teacher who guides students and filters information. They are facilitators and not information providers, says Sudha Acharya, Principal, ITL Public School, Dwarka, New Delhi, in an interview with Elets News Network (ENN).

How do you perceive the current education scenario?

Sudha Acharya, Principal, ITL Public School, Dwarka, New Delhi
Sudha Acharya, Principal, ITL Public School, Dwarka, New Delhi

For me, education means preparing a child for life. Education does not mean only a curriculum, or how to score good marks. Education means when a child has holistic development – inclusive of education, appropriate skills, values and attitude so that the child develops social and emotional intelligence and can give back to the society. Our motive is to globalise Indian thought.

What role does a teacher play in a classroom?

There has been a paradigm shift in the current teaching scenario – from expert to novice to learner to learner. Hence, the teacher stands as a lifelong learner; as a facilitator who guides the student and filters information. The ever compelling addicts to all kind of information play havoc to young mind. It is precisely at this crucial juncture that the facilitators guide through a series of age appropriate informal for intellectual growth.

What initiatives are being taken in your school for the overall development of students?

ITL School is completely inclusive school. There are more than 50 children with special needs in our school. We take good care of them. Currently, we have five children with special needs in Class 10, one of them has scored 78% with music and home science. We give them a platform by modifying the curriculum, including the games wherein 100% participation is a must. There is no competition. .

When a child has holistic development, the child develops social intelligence, emotional intelligence and can give back to the society.

Which are the top technologies that you have incorporated in the school?

Our school is a smart school; all the classrooms have smart boards. We have a well equipped Language Lab, Maths Lab and 3D Technology too. Foreign Exchange programme are yet another forum where cross culture learning takes place. Recently, our exchange with Egypt has not only made students culturally aware but augmented learning through exchange of best practice.

We adopt innovative pedagogical practice of recording audios of classroom lecture for hearing impaired student and video for students with low vision. Such reinforcement makes our students confident and better learners.

How do you encourage creativity and innovation among students?

Students of our school have taken a great project in their account under Start Up India Project. The Chemistry and Biology department came up with the school with an idea to manufacture in house Ayurvedic produce in school. School’s herbal garden – Sanjeevani Vatika became the crucial hub for herbal sources. The Chemistry & Biology department initiated the idea to develop HERBAL based Mosquito Repellent, Floor Cleaner, Hand Sanitizer, Facial Moisturisers, Lip Balm and Organic Hair Oil. Subsequently the products were sent to FICCI for authentication. This was followed by the commerce department where in pricing, branding, tagging, sales promotion and packaging was done. This was culminated with Skill Bazar, where students sell and market all the handmade products. Amount secured & raised through Skill Bazar Venture was reinvested & the surplus amount was donated to orphanage. Venture like these are experiential learning which is the purpose of education.

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