At BHS we are a family. Teachers take on the role of parents and fellow students are like siblings. Our entire team, from academic teachers and dorm parents to support staff come together to ensure that each one of our children is happy, says Aditi Goradia, Managing Director, Billimoria High School (BHS), Panchgani in conversation with Elets News Network (ENN).
What strategies does Billimoria High School follow for innovation and reforms in its administrative system?
At Billimoria High School it is all about progress through collaboration. We firmly believe that each member of our team right from the management to the academic teachers to the support staff and even our parents have a role to play in the growth and learning of our children. A strict hierarchy and bureaucracy can often be a hindrance. And we rather prefer a process of mutual respect and open communication. In terms of management through technology, our Milgrasp App is an excellent resource to ensure that everything remains on track.
Also Read: ‘Bringing in technology for teachers is the biggest struggle’
In order to maintain a good learning environment, what activities along with study are conducted at the Billimoria High School?
We believe that the purpose of education is to help our children find themselves. Who they are? What they enjoy and what they are good at? Our children are encouraged to participate in every activity. In order to provide a holistic education, our activities include:
- Performing Arts (Music, Theatre, Elocution, Stand Up Comedy, Dance, etc)
- Creative Arts (Drawing, Painting, Pottery, Woodwork)
- Life Enrichment Program (Gardening, Cooking, Creative Writing, Communications, Magazine, Debate, Quiz, etc)
- Week Without Walls: A program where the core curriculum is experienced in the real world outside the classroom.
- Sports at the State and National Level: Football, Basketball, Cricket, Karate, Rifle Shooting, Fencing, Archery, Chess, Carrom, Table Tennis, Gymnastics, Cricket, Capoeira
A good school must have good student-teacher coordination, what methods are followed at Billimoria High School to maintain the same?
The key to collaborative learning is a healthy relationship between teachers and students. Being a residential school, most of our team and students reside on campus. This makes us family. We eat all of our meals together. Teachers here are like surrogate parents and the care of the child carries out way beyond the classroom.
How does the school develop a curriculum that is interesting as well as focuses on the holistic development of children at your school?
Our experiential learning initiatives such as our “Week Without Walls” and the Leadership Program are just some of the ways that we bring our curriculum to life.
How does the school meet expectations of parents and requisite Government standards simultaneously?
The success of a child depends heavily on how well the school and the parents are aligned in philosophy. A School’s role is to do all that is necessary to help every child gain the confidence and skill set to face the challenges of the world. Be it the expectations of family members or the generic requirements of exams. Albeit, we find that parents today are beginning to see the need for value education as opposed to numbers and percentages. The CBSE Board as well is working rigorously towards finding a balance in curriculum and assessment that will ensure a better future for our children.
