The vision of scaling Global Discovery Academy (GDA)’ network of schools across the length and breadth of India has been our prime motto, says Dy. Chief Executive Officer, Vinesh Menon, GDA, in an interaction with Elets News Network (ENN)
What is the change that GDA has brought in the current education scenario?
GDA is all about changing the way a child perceives a school – our objective is to help today’s generation children DISCOVER learning rather than be subjected to ROTE learning inside the class room. So what are the changes?
? We have brought in a platform that gives parents of Tier 2& 3 cities a chance to experience high-end education at an affordable price.
? Our approach around educator hiring, learning spaces inside the schools, the pedagogical content, use of technology, mapping children’s dominant strengths, our engagement with parents in our endeavour to facilitate the change in education delivery has shown results & has been acknowledged by parents as a big differentiator.
? We have an unlimited reservoir of innovation in line with futuristic trends that education in India will require – merely timing the opening of the tap that flows this out. Have you heard of Market Day, Entrepreneurship labs, Honouring National Heroes, Toastmasters program etc in K 12? Perhaps not.
? Finally, we are steadily creating a unique eco-system where parents, educators and students across unite under one platform , for sharing best practices, interact and converge towards one common goal dedicated to shape 16 years of a child’s development in a manner that prepares him to be confident and self sufficient in tomorrow’s globally shrinking world.
How has Global Discovery Academy schools seen growth in the last four years. How has the Journey been so far?
4 years back, our Co-Founder & Mg. Director Mr. Pankaj Bindra, relocated to India from USA with an idea, a vision and a clear blueprint. He established the first Global Discovery School in Sevasi, Gujarat which focussed on executing the GDA blue print around architecture, neo experiential applied learning practices, continuous innovation through technology, differentiated approach in talent management & training aimed at a paradigm shift in pedagogy delivery and mass perception – making education, interactive, engaging and enjoyable for the child. With the school in Sevasi being the country’s Research , Development and Innovation Centre, we have 12 schools, now operational in association with far sighted visionary Education Partners who resonate with the new age education philosophy, technology and innovation. We have set a footprint in Punjab, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Telangana & Rajasthan and are proud to be adding value to nearly 4,000 students through a team of dedicated young qualified professionals supporting a team of energetic & excited educators. I have been around for the last 3 years and have no idea on the time that has whizzed by – the journey has been enriching to say the least.
How has technology helped induce the change and facilitate learning outcomes?
Just as how technology is an integral part of any system and industry, the education platform cannot ignore the power of technology. Global Discovery Academy’s objective is build efficiencies in all spheres of school operations through a well defined process and power the engine that drives the education delivery through technology BUT at the same time ensure that it does not dilute the emotional touch & human intervention that is essential in the formative years of a child. We have technology integrated into our curriculum, pedagogy delivery and assessments of both students & educators. Syllabi completion is also tracked on a technology enabled platform. Parent portals can be downloaded on IOS & Android phones and can be used to track progress, view the daily calendar online, register feedback & absorb psychometric evaluation reports and other assessments of the child. RFIDs and GPS chip enabled platforms are used to keep children secure. Discovery Launchpad is a technology and entrepreneurship platform exclusive to the GDA curriculum that helps children acquire skills in mobile app making & scratch programming. Our parent surveys are conducted online by independent survey agencies and thus you can well appreciate how well embedded technology is into the GDA eco-system.
We have brought in a platform that gives parents of Tier ii & iii cities a chance to experience highend education at an affordable price
Where do you see GDA, 3 years hence?
We are in a constant state of evolution and maturity. Our vision is to have a school in every town of India and this calls for a very sure footed approach in associating with likeminded education partners and continually innovating the differentiated delivery of our core product. Our innovation and ability to bring in a structured enhancement to education has also found favour with promising existing schools in India which perhaps may wish to use the services of organisations like ours to further add value to an already running school and enhance the learning experience for their students. Our strength lies in the ability to ensure standardised delivery across key operational functions that are critical to make a K12 school successful and foster a dynamic child-school-parent connect, despite diversity in the country. You will see us as a chain that continually innovates, builds deeper foundations into children, enhances confidence in them and readies them to face the dynamic globalisation in the years to come. Finally, we may wish to explore possibilities of setting up Educator Training Institutes & also venturing to serve the Indian diaspora outside the shores of India.
