On the occasion of International Women’s Day on Thursday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the National Nutrition Mission, and expansion of the coverage of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao programme in Rajasthan’s Jhunjhunu region.
Modi interacted with beneficiary mothers and girl children of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao programme and talked to District Magistrates of aspirational districts.
He awarded certificates to the best performing districts under the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao programme.
At the programme in Jhunjhunu today, we also marked the expansion of the #BetiBachaoBetiPadhao movement to 640 districts across India. This will give wings to the aspirations of lakhs of young girls. We are fully aware of how girls are distinguishing themselves in various fields. pic.twitter.com/O4SeDnOnUQ
Speaking on the occasion, Rajasthan Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje said she was happy that the Prime Minister chose Rajasthan for the launch of a vital scheme and the expansion of another.
The State would always support the efforts of the Prime Minister towards women empowerment, she added.
Addressing the large gathering, Modi said through the power of technology, the entire nation is connected with Jhunjhunu.
Appreciating Jhunjhunu district for furthering the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao movement, the Prime Minister said there was no question of discrimination based on gender.
He stressed on the importance of girls getting access to quality education, just like boys.
Emphasising that a daughter is not a burden, he said: “Girls are bringing pride and glory for our nation, and excelling in several fields”.
While speaking on the importance of providing proper nutrition to children, he said Mission Indradhanush has brought an extremely positive change in the lives of women and children.
Launched by the Prime Minister on 15 January, 2015, Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao aims to prevent gender bias sex-selective elimination, survival and protection of the girl child, ensuring education and participation of the girl child, mentions its official website.
Reading through the internet will make children interested. This would improve their reading abilities, intelligence quotient and grasping power, says Manmeet Khurana, Founder and CEO, The Ultimate Knowledge, in an interview with Elets News Network (ENN).
How is The Ultimate Knowledge (TUK) making children be aware at an early age?
Manmeet Khurana, Founder and CEO, The Ultimate Knowledge
The Ultimate Knowledge is a dynamic encyclopedia which aims to develop awareness in the minds of the children from an early age. Across knowledge spectrums and geographical boundaries, we provide knowledge to the children in the form of impeccably written articles supplemented by illustrations and videos.
What are the various domains in which TUK is imparting knowledge to a child? Please describe about every domain in brief.
We have segregated domains after extensive consultations with eminent teachers, educationists, principals and parents. For example, to make students understand Science better, we present situations and phenomenon with proper explanation of the concept behind it. Similarly under the Technology section, the latest happenings across the world are presented before the children in a lucid language.
On similar lines, the Inventions and Discoveries domain make students aware of how the things they use frequently were invented or discovered. The Health section makes students aware about the changes required in their lifestyle/posture/diet to lead a healthier life. Amazing Information section is the collection of amazing things on this planet. The Current Affairs section updates the child with the latest happenings across the globe. Under the TUK special section, the most relevant topics are analysed with its past and future aspects. We also have Do & Learn and Stories for the children to enhance their creative side.
Our vision is to help society in making the youths aware to take on the world with their knowledge and capabilities. The world is turning towards India and our students need to be well equipped to utilise this exposure.
How is the information available at TUK different from regular academics? How will it help students boost their Intelligence Quotient (IQ) and learning power?
The information available at TUK is different from academic curriculum and has been designed to supplement the knowledge a child acquires at school. Education is imparted at schools and the information available at TUK makes it holistic by making students aware as well.
How does The Ultimate Knowledge platform helps teachers to improve the learning practices in classroom?
Teachers can add value to their classroom lectures with more interesting information about any topic. As the students are well aware about internet, teachers may also direct them to get additional information about any topic just by reading an article. Any topic taught digitally through illustrations and videos have a permanent impression on child’s memory.
What is the vision and mission of The Ultimate Knowledge for future?
Our mission is to form a perfect blend of education imparted to students at schools with awareness acquired at TUK platform. It will be the most appropriate form of knowledge for developing students holistically.
Our vision is to help society in making the youth aware to take on the world with their knowledge and capabilities. The world is turning towards India and our students need to be well equipped to utilise this exposure.
One of the objectives of establishing the institute was to develop facilities of education in a variety of specialised engineering and technological sciences, says Koneru Satyanarayana, President, K L University, in an interview with Elets News Network (ENN).
K L University is a renowned name in higher education, what are the measures taken by the university to match global standards of education?
Koneru Satyanarayana, President, KL University
Koneru Lakshmaiah Education Foundation (KLEF) has gained the current reputation in educations sector by institutionalising best practices, meticulous planning and stringent execution. We strive continuously to achieve and sustain the objective of being a leader in the field of education.
The University is helping its students to meet industry standards and boost employability among them. Outcome-based education, ICT in teaching-learning, project-based labs and certificate courses in emerging technologies are some of the other measures taken to groom the students for life-long learning and inculcate their research and problem-solving skills. Similarly in the area of Research KLEF has been taking quantum steps to ensure a smooth and steady growth.
Research & Innovation is an important part of the education curriculum, what initiatives have been taken by KLU to promote research among students?
The vision and mission of KLEF encourages research culture among students and faculty. Infrastructure and resources for academic research, sponsored research, consultancy, extension and entrepreneurship, are also provided to them. A team of Associate Deans and RPAC monitors the progress of research activity on the campus. Some of the salient points are:
DST, DSRO, FIST, SAP identify from departments with research potential
Awards and incentives announced for quality performers and publications
Workshops on Intellectual property rights conducted
Mini-projects used as conduits for future research and publication
Another one is Mentor-Mentee programme. Each of the research mentors is assigned 15 mentees to help them identifying relevant research problems and submit proposals to various funding agencies.
Mini-projects are made mandatory in the academic curriculum. Students augment project reports with publication in reputed journals.
Students actively participate in KLEF sponsored community engagement programmes. Several extension activities are also organised by the faculty and students of KLEF.
Outcome-based education, ICT in teaching-learning, project-based labs and certificate courses in emerging technologies are some of the other measures taken to groom the students for life-long learning and inculcate their research and problem-solving skills.
How the curriculum and training provided at KL University help its students in nurturing the skills essential in fostering entrepreneurial thoughts and boosting employability prospectus?
At KLEF, Outcome Based Education (OBE) is followed. The identified outcomes are in line with the vision and mission of the university.
KLEF develops programmes of study that reflect the institution’s values, goals and mission, and provide a good learning experience for students. The courses provide students the opportunity to be co-creators in the learning experience, in additions to improving their academic standards.
The university is committed to provide programmes of study that are attractive to prospective students and are a foundation for long-term study and progression, producing lifelong learners as graduates.
Entrepreneurship Skill Development
Till date, CIIE has organised over 50 events on entrepreneurship in form of Hackathons, ideation programmes, boot camps and domain specific seminars. Our students visited various entrepreneurship centres across the country such
as Centre for Entrepreneurship Development (CED) Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh Lady Entrepreneurship Association (ALEAP) Hyderabad, National Council of Rural institutes (NCRI) EOI, Ahmedabad.
ICT is playing an important role in improving teaching-learning processes. What kind of infrastructureis developed by the University to make its faculty members and students familiar with the effective use of it?
Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) have become key tools in the field of education. It has enhanced teaching-learning processes, course organisation, effective classroom management, self study, collaborative learning, better communication between teachers and students and research activities.
The various ICT facilities used in teaching-learning processes at KLEF include LCD projectors, computers, television, CD ROM, 24/7 Internet, electronic notice board, slides, digital multimedia, CCTVs, VCD machines, digital boards and Wi-Fi connectivity.
The use of ICT facilities makes procedures transparent. The application and admission procedure is computerised. Attendance, teachinglearning, internal assessment, assignment details, at KLEF is facilitated through Learning Management System (LMS). Moreover online feedback on various courses, operations, video conferencing, webinar, video lectures are made possible with the help of ITC. Some of the courses are delivered by faculty from premier Universities in the US and UK.
KLEF develops programmes of study that reflect the institution’s values, goals and mission, and provide a good learning experience for students. The courses provide students the opportunity to be co-creators in the learning experience, in additions to improving their academic standards.
What efforts are made by the University for promoting equal access to higher education among the deprived section of the society?
Equity, social responsibility and empowerment are part of the core values of KLEF. Starting with admissions to the infrastructure facilities provided by the University are in tune with these core values. All the departments of the university have sensitised the needs of the deprived sections of the society. Some of the facilities are:
Admissions are done as per the UGC norms. Percentage of seats are allocated as per the Government norms
Full fee waiver is given to highly meritorious students from economically weaker sections of the society
Students belonging to SC/ST categories are given fee waivers and an additional scholarship of Rs 10,000 per student is disbursed
Fee waiver is given to children of ex-service men
Student admissions are proclaimed on sports quota, cultural quota, Jyothi Surekha, the international archery player is one such example
The norms of quota are followed for differently-abled students
Ryan International School Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Ryan Pinto has encouraged every educator not to let anyone rob them of their joy of teaching.
Speaking at the 6th School Leadership Summit organised by Elets Technomedia Pvt Ltd recently in New Delhi, Ryan Pinto said: “It is the test of time that stands true. My parents started this organisation with a passion to impart education with love to our children, students. For us, the school is like a family with values imbibed across our institutions.”
“One of the things that have captured everybody’s attention is the negative news we keep hearing. It’s really sad and scary to see, where our children are heading. There is an eerie-sense creeping in often scary that even teachers are scared to go into the classroom. For us, the educators need to stand firm as long as our hearts are clean — focused and passionate. We are here to educate and empower children,” Pinto said.
“Values morals, ethics are really important for any organisation. The unfortunate things that are happening around us are breaking our community apart. Parents view schools as an outsourced form of parenting, which won’t work: There has to be a partnership. I think, everyone in the education sector has awoken and realised that we are teaching our students the things at a time when something else is happening around. That is true! There are so many things happening around the world that even the parents aren’t able to relate to — emotional challenges, peer pressures, things they are getting exposed to at the early age,” the CEO of the School said.
He further said, “While academics are really important for educators, holistic approach is equally important. We keep coming back for the values we want for our children. We need to ensure that we encourage, impart good values and ethics to our children continuously. It is a long and hard journey but we have to continue. We follow the golden rule ‘Do unto others as you would have them do unto you’ to encourage our children, learn and inculcate in their lives. I encourage every educator not to let anyone rob them of their joy of teaching because our efforts are shaping and impacting the future”.
Indian education system is following centuries-old practices that are restricting it to compete with the world’s best education systems. Highlighting the drawbacks of our current education system, how an autonomous education body can improve Indian Education System, explores Reekrit Serai, Director & Dean, Satluj Group of Schools, Panchkula, for Elets News Network (ENN).
I’ve been interacting with educationists across the country for quite some time now. These interactions started off as exchanging pleasantries at conferences. Subsequently, ideas were exchanged and now, we’re in touch — not only discussing what is going on in Indian education landscape but looking for a solution to some of its biggest problems.
One of the biggest problems is that Indian K-12 education system is fast becoming a breeding ground for political populism. At the centre of this debate isn’t whether we’re creating students able to compete at a global level and take India into the future (you’d agree there’s a general apathy towards this); but, whether we’re able to ensure that they pass their matriculation and class 12 examinations with near-perfect scores.
There are 1.4 million schools, 36000 higher educational institutes and 227 million students in India. Let’s look at one end of the spectrum—students from a weaker economic background, mostly from rural backgrounds. Half of the children aged 10 in rural areas were unable to read at a basic level, half dropped out of school by the age of 14 and 60% did not know division and they’re mostly part of a system put in place by the government.
What about the opposite end of the spectrum—children from varying economic backgrounds able to graduate from college? Despite making a hue and cry about examinations and marks, only one out of ten students holding a degree in Humanities are employable while only one out of four Engineering graduates are capable of employment.
Most importantly, if marks were an indication of future success of an individual (many consider financial success to be a true indicator of success, thus the following statistic is being mentioned as an example only), why is that India only has 101 billionaires as compared to the US (545) and China (319) while many of our students score near-perfect or perfect scores of 100/100 in examinations?
There must be something wrong, right? Or are we caught up in such a nationalistic swarm that we’re forgetting that our country needs to and can do better?
Yes, India was colonised. Yes, we were slaves for centuries. Yes, our current education system was introduced nearly 200 years ago by the British to ‘create a class of anglicised Indians who would serve as cultural intermediaries between the British and the Indians.’ Yes, post 1947 until liberalisation in 1991, the government’s focus was on centralising core industries to give the country an economic boost. But, we’ve moved beyond that now. And it’s time we realise this.
I don’t want to use the most repeated line in this context here that you’ll ever hear, but I feel I have to: Look at China. But, don’t look at China in its entirety. Look at it from a strategic point of view.
Decades of centralising core industries. Then allowing liberalisation briefly before giving the boot to major global corporations. Subsequently, creating a parallel global superpower all this while by boosting homegrown products and companies. I feel India has lost its way amidst a storm of knee-jerk reactions and economic programmes, looking for an evasive panacea that’ll never be found.
Unless there’s a clear strategy, things won’t change for the better. Things will change, nonetheless, as that is the nature of things.
The solution to all these problems lies in decentralising decision-making in the education sector, starting with K-12, rather than focussing on a top-to-bottom approach to higher education. This whole academic session (2017-18) has been a whirlwind of emotions and firefighting for schools in the country that are affiliated with the top educational board, CBSE.
The following happened:
TheMHRDrecently announced that the syllabus will be halved in 2019. During the academic session, experienced primary teachers were made to enrol themselves in a mandatory bridge course, failing which they would lose their jobs.
Now, it’s been announced that there’ll be a relaxation of the passing criteria for students appearing in the class 10th exams in 2018.
All that educationists are saying is that ‘we know what to do. Please, let us do our jobs.’
With a government school structure that’s archaic and in need of an immediate overhaul, India’s saving grace has been its private school education system. 29% of schools in India are privately-run, and that’s where the major battle starts and finishes.
It all boils down to this: Do we want our children to grow up in a country where the government decides what’s good for them and when based on intentions which sometimes lay beyond the realm of education? Or would we feel safer knowing that our children have the right to choose what they want to do and how to do it, free from having to conform to a system that hasn’t done a world of wonders for generations before them? I think it is time that there’s a fully autonomous department in place for education. Unless this is done, we can never realise the full potential of what India can be and should be after all these years.
(Reekrit Serai is an Educationalist, Publisher, Entrepreneur, Author and Investor. Views expressed by the author are personal.)
At AISECT University, we believe that a university is not only a place for knowledge creation and dissemination but has a wider role in empowering the society and building the nation, says Dr Vijay Singh, Registrar, Aisect University, in conversation with Elets News Network (ENN).
Being India’s first skill-based university, what practices are followed at AISECT to impart quality-based skill education?
At AISECT University (AU), our effort is to excel in skill development of our students and engaging their interest in research activities, in addition to formal education. AU is the first university in India to introduce compulsory skill courses at Undergraduate (UG) and Postgraduate (PG) levels and now we are associated with National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) to empower our students further with employment linked education. Eight departments at AU have Multi Skill Academies, providing over 30 skill development courses. This will help students to get hands-on experience, gaining confidence and reducing the academia-industry gap.
How is research driven advancement of knowledge promoted at AISECT University to nurture successful professionals?
The Core Research Group (CRG) is a unique initiative to foster research culture in the university. Research work demands resources in terms of money, time and infrastructure along with uncertainty of research outcome and longer scale for success. Private Universities have to mostly depend on own resources and this is one of the reasons in private universities behind lesser research activities. However at AU, research is a core area and to underline the concern, CRG has been set up. The CRG has the following objectives:
• Extend financial and administrative support for travelling and presenting papers abroad
• Set up research facilities and encourage a research culture
• Identify meaningful research projects and provide funds
• Encourage research Writing and provide support for publication • Function as the nodal point for research activity
What steps have been taken by AISECT University to prepare industry-ready professionals? • Skill Development – At AU, we believe that a university should help in reducing the skill deficit in the country. We have addressed this requirement at two levels. Firstly, we have revived practical part of the curriculum by various collaborations with local industries, by installing industry-grade machinery in all the labs and by providing workshops for field experience in our labs. Secondly, we have started Skill Academies in each department in collaboration with NSDC. In addition to the normal curriculum, we have made one skill training compulsory for each student in every year during the course. So a UG student comes out with minimum 3 to 4 skills in addition to hands-on experience on industrial machines in labs.
• Entrepreneurial Efforts– We encourage students to think in terms of starting their own enterprise. To accomplish this, we organise various “entrepreneur development programs” regularly. In 2014, we organised an Entrepreneurial Programme for 16 starts- up ventures in association with Young India initiative of CII. Presently, four of them are at advanced stages.
• Research Environment – As a university, research is a very committed area of focus for us. We have active collaborations with several institutes/research centres and universities in India and abroad. Renewable Energy, Material Science and Environmental Science are our current areas of research. We also have started a project on developing efficient material for a solar cell to increase its efficiency by 100% in collaboration with Taiwan and IIT–New Delhi. We also have a project with Ukraine on earthquake prediction.
• Social Connect – We have adopted three nearby villages under our various Social Relationship ventures. Students and faculty members regularly visit these villages and organise activities like health camp, literary and education camps, cleanliness drive, awareness camp and women empowerment camp. Students and faculty members spend one to seven days in the areas to organise the camps effectively. Some research projects/ doctoral researches have also been taken up to identify and address social problems of these villages.
• Holistic Development –AISECT University believes that students and faculty have to think beyond the syllabus for holistic growth. We ensure this through a large number of cultural, social and sports activities/competitions/events at regional, national and international levels. At least one international event is organised by the university every year. We have done international collaborations with A&M Texas University, RPI USA, ICEWaRM Australia, KAIST Korea, NCTU Taiwan and KYIV University Ukraine for exchange. In India, we have MoUs and collaborations with more than 15 institutes like IITs, CSIR, NITs etc. In industries, we work with companies like Microsoft, Tata Motors, Reliance, BSNL, IT Power etc, with whom we have set-up joint skill development centres, research labs etc. thereby creating a vibrant platform for holistic development.
What is the vision and mission of AISECT University for the years ahead?
VISION To be valued as a coveted centre for nurturing talent, imparting skill based quality education and promoting research driven advancement of knowledge for creating responsible professionals who will build a progressive nation.
• To foster research-oriented culture in the university.
• To provide education through extensive and innovative use of technology.
• To nurture talent, stimulate thinking, impart skills and create competent and inspired professionals for the industry.
• To forge collaborations with academic and corporate bodies across the world.
• To be recognized as a premium national university providing dedicated services for the social and economic development of the nation.
Since its inception in 2008, Meenakshi World School (MWS) has emerged as one of the best International Schools of Gurugram. The school offers an impeccable quality of education which is embedded with global educational programmes amidst the rendition of traditional and cultural ethos of India. Believing in the inherent potential of each learner, MWS facilitates quest for knowledge and strives for consistent nourishment with care and grooming which accounts for physical, mental, cognitive, emotional and spiritual development of learners.
MWS is affiliated to the diverse curriculum of Cambridge Assessment International Education traverses through Cambridge Primary (Grades 1st to 6th), Cambridge Lower Secondary (Grades 7th& 8th), Cambridge Upper secondary (Grades 9th & 10th) and finally Cambridge Advanced (Grades 11th & 12th). Through these levels, learners fathom multitudes of knowledge as they are constantly and consistently encouraged creative experimentation and skillful weaving of dreams into actions. The basics of languages, Mathematics, Science and Social Sciences are not delivered in the monotony of lifeless pages but given a life like appeal through zealous activities that help unlock
the complete potential of every learner.
The Pre Primary section of MWS is called Blooming Buds and the grades are Mulberry, Waterlily and Sundrop representing Pre Nursery, Nursery and K.G. respectively. At Blooming Buds, the educators constantly strive to unlock the innate potential of the tender minds for preparing them for the higher levels of education. An unimpeded and friendly environment at the school lets children blossom to their complete potentials. Focus is on developing communication skills and on reinforcing an innate sense of discovery in everything that is taught.
Moving further into the higher grades, learners are groomed in the manner that they are ready to face challenges and prove their mettle in this highly competitive world. The state of the art infrastructure that comprises 3D lab, computer lab, language lab, physics lab, chemistry lab, biology lab, art lab and activity lab alongside excellent sports facilities that include outdoor sports like cricket, lawn tennis, volley ball, basket ball, skating and swimming, indoor sports department with facilities to learn snooker, table tennis, chess and carom give learners the scope to develop themselves completely. Besides organizing programmes on drama, music and dance at regular intervals, debates, declamations, elocutions, creative writing and so on are also orchestrated regularly. In all these events, 100% participation of students is ensured so as to help learners lessen stage fear and become confident in facing the larger stages of the world. Inter school and intra school events further help learners understand meaningful and healthy competition.
MWS is affiliated to Trinity College, London, through which effective communication skills are nurtured as students are given the required training for communicating effectively in English by a comprehensive learning and examination process. The residential facility of MWS at DLF Phase II furthers its intentions to give to learners a space that helps them become mature and responsible. Assistance in studies, monitoring effective
utilization of time and engagement in valuable learning discourses are the factors that distinguish the boarding house of MWS from all others.
The hallmark of MWS is to nurture hopes, strengthen confidence, and empower learners to realize their potential and enable them to squarely meet the emerging challenges offered by the technologically advanced global information systems while maintaining the rich cultural heritage and the much cherished values of our society. Towards this end, a positive educational experience is ensured whilst providing qualification that is relevant, accurate, reliable and internationally recognized.
It is very important for parents and teachers to communicate with each other for holistic growth of students. How Mobile Apps may enhance parents’ involvement for better learning experience of students, observes Beas Dev Ralhan, CEO and Co-founder, Next Education, for Elets News Network (ENN).
Teachers and parents are the two most influential contributors to a child’s early years. Research indicates that an effective liaison between parents and teachers is essential to bringing out the best in every child. However, a lot of factors get in the way of meaningful communication between these two groups. Technology, which has gratified humans with many uses, can be beneficial in this area too. Since most parents and teachers are active smartphone users, they can use tech-mediated means to channelise communication.
Disconnect between teachers and parents
Beas Dev Ralhan, CEO and Co-founder, Next Education
Parental involvement in school is often erroneously considered to be limited to attending parent-teacher meetings and signing report cards. Oftentimes, debates on improving the quality of education do not always focus on the importance of parents’ inputs. Nonetheless, an inclusion of their inputs is undeniably paramount. Unwavering year-round parental participation and attention is essential to a child’s academic excellence.
However, parents sometimes hesitate to connect with schools and gauge their child’s progress because either they are unsure about the questions they need to ask, or they don’t have the time to regularly meet teachers. This may be interpreted by teachers as disinterest on the part of parents. “Teachers perceive that families don’t want to be involved when, in fact, families don’t know how to be involved,” states Karen C. Salinas, the communication director for the Centre on School, Family, and Community Partnerships at John Hopkins University. Then again, teachers complain about being questioned by pushy parents for their teaching methods and the performance of their child. A lack of effective home-school interaction hampers a child’s all-round development.
A shift in approach
It is essential that healthy communication between teachers and parents exists. They have to be proactive communicators; occasional sharing of information about a child does not help. Schools should try to dispel parents’ discomfort. This does not imply that the onus is on the management and the teachers alone. It simply means that positive communication, such as encouraging messages from teachers, can motivate parents to actively be a part of their child’s learning process. Parents and teachers should be able to collaborate, because the project they have at hand is the same: helping children reach their true potential. Therefore, both groups need to realise their shared responsibilities in this project and contribute accordingly.
Tech-mediated communication
As already mentioned, since most teachers, parents and school management are active smartphone users, they can use technology to communicate with each other. In fact, a report titled Online Education in India: 2021, jointly published by KPMG and Google, mentions that there are “around 290 million smartphone users in India today”, and an addition of another 180 million to the user base is expected by 2021. The report mentions that this, along with factors such as internet penetration and increasing disposable income, is a growth driver of online education.
Staying updated with technology
It is important that every school management uses technological solutions such as school management software to keep parents informed about their child’s learning progress and general behaviour in the classroom. In fact, Information and Communication Technology, a scheme that was launched in 2004 by the Ministry of Human Resource Development of India, recommends the deployment of a school-based management information system (MIS) that acts as a “single-window clearing house on all information”.
When parents probe a child about their school activities, the child may feel intruded on and become uncommunicative. Parents can engage in a dialogue with the help of asynchronous mails where simultaneous communication is not required. Furthermore, they can also avail of synchronous instant messaging, if needed. School management software is also available as apps besides having their presence on the web. Schools can use these apps and encourage parents to start using the apps for effective communication.
Benefits of using apps for school communication
These apps allow schools to send SMS alerts to parents about school events and activities. Teachers can also share course structure and content with parents via these apps. Parents can view reports of students’ progress on the apps. The reports are made available as graphs for easy comprehension. Often, parents are unaware about the performance of their children till the semester report cards reach home. However, regular progress reports can help parents stay abreast with their children’s learning and take the necessary corrective measures, if required.
They can also engage in conversations with teachers about their wards’ behaviour with their peers. If they are worried about their child’s safety and whereabouts, they can even check the location of the school buses via GPS tracking. They can also get notified when the payment of fees is due and get a detailed report of their wards’ attendance. NextERP, our school management software, allows schools and parents to access a host of different reports as well as facilitates communication among different stakeholders.
Communication made easy
A parent-teacher relationship is not an easy one. While asynchronous emails make formal communication easier, synchronous instant messaging can be made possible through an app to promote informal communication. A mix of these two types of communication can greatly help parent-teacher relationships. Tech-mediated school-home communication can encourage parental involvement in students’ academics and thereby improve the performance of students. Studies prove that children whose parents are highly invested in their academics not only do well in their studies but also like to attend school regularly and are involved in their studies.
While technology and the changing school ecosystems make it very easy for parents to stay updated with their child’s progress, it is important that parents actually use these resources. However, parents should refrain from going overboard in their efforts to keep track of everything that happens in their children’s lives. They should respect their child’s privacy and give them space and freedom to think for themselves.
The Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) has invited suggestions to rationalise the school curriculum from class I to XII to ensure holistic development of students.
Union Minister for Human Resource Development Prakash Javadekar has said that rationalization of school curriculum is urgently needed to fulfill objective of preparing good human beings through school education.
Javadekar said, “Along with academic education, life skills, experiential learning, physical education and creative skills are needed. We need to develop the system where students get time for each of this and can progress in the areas which he or she likes most; therefore there is continuous demand of rationalization of syllabus which many people believe is too heavy and inappropriate for age.”
The minister asked all the stakeholders including teachers, headmasters, school management, parents, students, NGOs, experts and public representatives to send their suggestions for rationalising the school curriculum.
Nowadays, Performing Arts is emerging as a career option among the youth of India. One of the important profession, youth is taking interest into is Dance trainer. Shiamak Davar, one of the renowned choreographers in the country, shared his views in this regard with Elets News Network (ENN).
Dance is now a viable career option. Whether as a performer, dance instructor, choreographer or entrepreneur in the field of the performing arts; there is a plethora of opportunities. Being a first-hand witness through the transitional phase of western dance in India, the last thirty years have been a revolution of sorts. I’ve observed a positive and impactful change in people’s attitude towards dance as a career. The industry has opened up tremendously, arts and culture have become hugely popular and in effect people don’t fear making their passion a profession. This transitional change in people and the overall market has opened doors.
Belonging to a family of educationists, I’ve always understood the importance of education. I grew up under the influence of my parents, graduates from Massachusetts Institutes of Technology (MIT) and Founded of Davar’s College of Commerce in 1900. Though I always found comfort and a sense of belonging in performing arts, I always knew the importance of having a strong academic background. Only on completing my graduation did my parents allow me to pursue my passion.
I was blessed with parents, who at that time, allowed me to follow my passion and make it a profession. Today, as I see boys and girls from all over the country striving to break into the field of performing arts, I’m overjoyed and grateful that dance is now accepted as a career.
When I decided to make dance my career, I brought both aspects together with “Dance Education.” My aim has been to provide quality dance education in India through a well-structured syllabus, inculcating correct technique and providing wholesome training to students of all ages. Whether it is in my regular, progressive, hobby dance classes or workshops in schools, I train my faculty to teach children of all age groups, understanding their individual requirements and ensuring that they learn in a fun and friendly environment.
Passion is at the forefront of anything that you want to do in life. Each of us is blessed with a talent that is unique to us. When you enter a dance studio, you should feel at home; there is a sense of belonging. Passion for dance will come from within and it is this passion that will make you realize that you were born to dance. If you are not passionate about dance, after a while either it will start feeling like a “job” or you will stop enjoying the experience of choreographing, learning and dancing.
For someone to make dance a career, I’ve always insisted and laid stress on the importance of training. With easy access to the internet, most people skip this training phase and become professionals just by watching videos and probably copying them. But people must understand that you can harm your students if you aren’t trained. It is essential to learn professionally before you begin to pass on the knowledge.
Passion must be the driving force for anything that one wants to do in life. Each of us is blessed with a talent that is unique to us. If you are not passionate about dance, after a while either it will start feeling like a “job” or you will stop enjoying the experience of choreographing, learning and dancing. A dancer must always be hungry to learn, to keep improving and working on their dance-ability. There is never a “best dancer”, there is always something to achieve, something to improve and something to learn. A successful dancer will always have the fire to keep going.
Technically, to make it a profession, one must be flexible, agile and have an understanding and knowledge of music and rhythm. Being a versatile dancer will give them an edge of being able to adapt to different movements and dance styles. Dance is not just physical experience, but a mental, emotional and spiritual one too. You need to be mentally strong to sustain hours of rehearsals, years of struggle and decades to find acceptance. If you have a grounding in either ballet or Indian Classical dance forms, your foundation will be extremely strong. These styles form the basis and prepare you for any other dance style. In terms of technique, understanding of the body, positioning the weight, balance… the overall understanding and adaptability becomes easier.
My purpose in dance, is the incomparable happiness I feel in spreading the joy of dance. In my One Year Certification Program (OYP), each year I receive thousands of entries of hopefuls who want to take up dance professionally. This makes me feel so grateful that things have moved in the right direction and whether boys of girls, whether from cities or towns, dance is relevant, accepted and understood today.
The scope of dance and choreography in fact goes beyond just the art on its own. That’s why I’ve included modules in event management, backstage, production, sound, light, musicality, audio & video editing, and even grooming and nutrition in OYP.
The talent in our country is unbelievable. We no longer need to look at the West; there are plenty of opportunities here. Whether it is becoming a dance instructor in schools, teaching hobby classes, teaching families for Sangeets, performing in films and award shows, being a part of professional teams that perform in musicals or even going abroad and taking up dance full time; the prospects are endless. What is the most important is to constantly have that hunger to learn, train and then pass on the knowledge.
