Passion for Education

Deepika Jindal,
Managing Director, JSL Lifestyle Limited

Quality and excellence have been a priority for Jindal Group of Institutions and it has been strengthening its footprint in the educational arena. Deepika Jindal, Managing Director, JSL Lifestyle Limited discusses challenges and the company’s achievements in the education sector. In conversation with Seema Gupta, ENN

On genesis of Jindal Group of Institutions
Shri 0 P Jindal set up schools wherever he set up plants to give education to employees’ children from local community. In Hisar, there are two educational institutes — Vidya Devi Jindal School, a fully residential school for girls and O P Jindal Modern School, a co-ed, day school. I am directly involved in the management of both the schools since the beginning and have been involved in the planning of infrastructure, staffing decisions, student related matters and other significant aspects of the school. Since the inception, there are Management Committees that have on board educationists, professionals besides the trust representatives to supervise and set directions for these institutes. My journey with both the schools have been  most satisfying and there is an abundant sense of fulfillment to see the children getting valuebased education in the most contemporary facility and earning name and fame in every walk of life.

On new learning about about education and schools
In the last few decades, nations across the world have witnessed a paradigm shift in the field of education. The technological revolution in the field has begun to wield a great influence on the curriculum design, planning, delivery, methodologies and teaching and learning aids. We have learnt a lot from our experimentation and innovation in the field of education that has enabled us to earn considerable reputation in academic circles. Our education institutions have imbibed the philosophy and work on ‘rediscovering’ something that people have understood for a long time.

On expansion plans
There are four schools under our umbrella: O P Jindal Modern School, Vidya Devi Jindal School, N C Jindal School, and O P Jindal Bharti Vidya Mandir. As setting up schools and running them is basically service to the nation, we would continue with the model of building up new schools in the vicinity of the  new plants being set up. This is important for attracting and retaining employees as the quality education for their children will always remain one of their priorities. Further, it also helps in the cultural and economic upliftment of the community children.

Opinion on making school education for-profit entity
I strongly agree that starting a school should only be considered as service to the nation and ‘not -for-profit making’. The running cost of our schools is met by the tuition fees from students and as there is no profit motive, the fees are highly subsidised to sustain the institution. All capital expenditure are funded from the Trust.

Suggestions
Those planning to venture into starting a new educational establishment should first and foremost articulate the vision, and set up a committed management team to realise it. The constituents of a good school including infrastructure, faculty members, and student-centric academics and developmental activities need meticulous planning at the very beginning. The quality of teachers will mark out the future of the institution. Above all the passion of the promoter and her/his involvement in nurturing the institution will only provide sustenance.

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