Technology has forayed into the education landscape in most noticeable ways. The changes and impact can be seen in the ways of imparting education today, it has moulded into the most beneficial model. To look at it from ground zero, an educator’s perspective is the most crucial, as it will help us understand the recent emergence, challenges and changing chapter of school education in a profound manner. Murali Mukund, Chairman, Jubilee Hills Public School, Hyderabad interacted with Sheeba Chauhan of Elets News Network. Edited excerpts:
Post covid, we have come across a new ecosystem of school education. What are current changes that are apt for the holistic development of students?
In the post-covid context, there has been a significant change in the education sector, especially concerning the school education system. The blended system came into existence with the growth of technology; it was never out of the popular educational trends list. This method, consisted of both face-to-face and e-Learning training methods simultaneously. There is a prominent tilt towards a more technology-driven teaching and learning termed as the ‘new normal’. The present perspective changes completely with this phenomena because education in the new normal will never be the same as the pre-pandemic period. A new aspect now emerges and with that every element of a school is affected. Now, the right to education is not only about the right to access education but also about receiving quality education that will provide a holistic education to the student.
Holistic education is the only way to bring about lasting change; in fact it is the only way that can change the world for the better. The requisite is an inquiry into the necessary conditions that are required to create a congenial atmosphere for the young student’s holistic development to his optimum level. Bearing certain advantages of the ‘new normal’ like Flexibility, Travel Time & Expenses, Networking, Accessibility & Convenience, Cost effective Learning, Self-paced learning, Theory Application, Better communication etc.
A probe is essential into the basic principles of ecology, relationships, connectedness, and context to realize the intricate interdependence and often unpredictable dynamics of ecological, social, and economic systems will become the lead for further action. It is a shift of focus from analytical thinking (parts) to contextual thinking (whole) as a prerequisite for building a more resilient ecosphere. It is regarded as a critical ability in education as it enables students to untangle and work within the complexities of life on Earth. Thus we shift our perspective on the belief that a school is an ecosystem, and acts that way.
Adopting a wide range of participatory methodologies in education, is essential to change the behavior and equip the current and future generations with the knowledge and skills that they need to shape a sustainable future. These methodologies will allow them to develop problem-solving, interdisciplinary, and systemic thinking skills, which will help them learn, ‘how to think rather than ‘what to think within the context of sustainability.
PM recently announced the PM – SHRI scheme to build approximately 14000 schools with modern infrastructure. How do you think such steps will help the school education ecosystem in India?
PM-SHRI schools will mentor and provide leadership to other schools in their vicinity. PM SHRI will provide high quality education in an equitable, inclusive and joyful school environment that takes care of the diverse background, multilingual needs, and different academic abilities of children and makes them active participants in their own learning process as per the vision of NEP 2020.
The PM-SHRI Schools will be developed as Green schools, incorporating environmentally friendly aspects like solar panels and LED lights, nutrition gardens with natural farming, waste management, plastic free, water conservation and harvesting, study of traditions/practices related to protection of the environment, climate change related hackathon and awareness generation to adopt a sustainable lifestyle.
Pedagogy adopted in these schools will be more experiential, holistic, integrated, play/toy-based (particularly, in the foundational years) inquiry-driven, discovery-oriented, learner-centered, discussion-based, flexible and enjoyable.
The focus will be on the learning outcomes of every child in every grade. Assessment at all levels will be based on conceptual understanding and application of knowledge to real situations and will be competency-based.
Linkage with Sector Skill Councils and local industry to enhance employability and provide better employment opportunities will be explored.
A School Quality Assessment Framework (SQAF) is being developed, specifying the key performance indicators to measure outcomes. Quality evaluation of these schools at regular intervals will be undertaken to ensure the desired standards.
More than 18 lakh students are expected to be direct beneficiaries of the scheme. Further, impact will be generated through the mentoring and hand holding of the schools in vicinity of PM-SHRI schools.
Hybrid learning is somewhere reducing the role of teachers in student growth. Do you think the introduction of technology in the education landscape can completely erase the existence of teachers?
A teacher will always be crucial – the effective learning process of any student, whether it is a physical classroom or online learning. Technology is only a form of augmentation which can help in learning but cannot replace a teacher, especially in a school environment. Teachers are an integral part of education at any level. They become the basic interface between education and the child. Teachers adapt themselves to each child’s requirement, be it emotional or educational. They modify the learning process to ease the learning process. They provide the much-needed human interaction which every child needs. Technology can never provide that reassuring pat on the back or a warm smile from the teacher that every student looks forward in school. So, teachers are leaders, coaches, guides, facilitators and mentors. They play a pivotal role in their intellectual nourishment, encourage them, inspire them to set and achieve their goals. They form the emotional connect and intimacy between the child and learning.
After NEP, everyone is aiming for a multidisciplinary curriculum. How are you planning to inculcate the same in your school?
Multidisciplinary education is undeniably important in the post-modern world of this century, the new NEP 2020 places great emphasis on integrated and Trans- disciplinary education. We can plan a parallel curriculum or develop an fusion curriculum integration. We need to cross list various courses which would fetch more opportunities for students. With creative combination of subjects’ cuttingedge curriculum flexible options multiple entry and exit options during the undergraduate students can explore their areas of interest. We need to study a path where this diversification can happen or integration can happen. We need to provide an opportunity for faculty members to up skill and re- skill across various domains.
