The Ultimate Knowledge : Adding Value to Education

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November 3, 2017

Manmeet Khurana, Founder and CEO,
The Ultimate Knowledge

Reading through the Internet will make children enthusiastic. This would improve their reading abilities, intelligence quotient and grasping power, says Manmeet Khurana, Founder and CEO, The Ultimate Knowledge (TUK), in an interview with Elets News Network (ENN).

How is The Ultimate Knowledge (TUK) making children aware at an early age?

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 explanation to 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 the similar lines, 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.

How the information available at TUK is different from regular academics? How it will help students to 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 TUK like 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 aware about Internet well, 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 will have a permanent impression on child’s memory.

What is the vision and mission of The Ultimate Knowledge?

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 and make them aware to take on the world with their knowledge and capabilities. The world is turning towards India and our students need to be properly equipped to utilise this exposure.

The Geekay World School Reaping a Better Future for Students

By

digitalLEARNING Network

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November 3, 2017

**Vinod Gandhi**, Managing Director,
The Geekay World School

With its international and unique curriculum, The Geekay World School (TGWS) aims to create an unparalleled experience in learning and raise the bar for academic excellence, says Vinod Gandhi, Managing Director, The Geekay World School (TGWS), in conversation with Elets News Network (ENN).

How is The Geekay World School (TGWS) helping its students to develop intellectual, physical, emotional, social and spiritual traits?

TGWS aspires to facilitate future citizens of the world, soaring towards creative influx of mind and body. Our uniquely framed integrated curriculum at pre-primary, primary and middle school focuses on this aspect of development in each child with the added core components of leadership skill inculcation, community service and Information Technology. The uniquely framed performing and visual arts modules and sports curriculum support this transformation in every student of TGWS.

How is the school helping the students to lead and excel in the global community?

The regular adventure camps, ‘Life through Leadership’ activities, community service programme, flash mobbing and street plays as a part of awareness spreading on striking social issues, etc are part of the curriculum. Integration of yoga and meditation in the assembly is yet another milestone that TGWS achieved in instilling spiritual strength in the students.

What measures are to make the teachers at The Geekay World School is competent enough not only to educate the students but nurture them as future leaders?

Once a week curriculum specific training for the teachers is part of TGWS system, where important circulars related to the boards are discussed. This includes invigilator training, recent updates from the boards and school compliance with the regulations and other related aspects.

Parents’ involvement is an important factor to educate children. What policies are followed at the school to involve the parents in teachinglearning processes?

The Parent–Teacher interaction meetings are kept on an average of six for every level. Coffee lounges are yet another prime feature of our parent collaboration, where updates are given to the parents in a more informal and friendly manner.

The school releases newsletters every month which cover all the academic and non academic updates at school. Moreover, parent whatsapp group ensures that the school remains in constant touch with them on a daily basis.

Security is very important concern in schools. What measures are taken by the Geekay World School to ensure the safety of schools?

TGWS ensures student safety with utmost importance while in school, in boarding, and also while at commutation. The campus is under CCTV surveillance with a strong security system at every opening and gate. A well trained housekeeping team is always at the service of the students which ensures protection and care at TGWS. We own a fleet of deluxe air-conditioned video coaches fitted with all safety norms. The GPS system helps the parents keep a track of the vehicle.

Seth Anandram Jaipuria School, Ghaziabad: Nurturing an Eco Conscious Culture

By

digitalLEARNING Network

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November 3, 2017

As an environment conscious school, Seth Anandram Jaipuria School, Ghaziabad, believes in the ethos that “Global Green sustainability will be the driving force changing the way we work and live in the 21st century”.

Green is something that is very close to our hearts. Thus, we have embraced green sustainable development and always try to do our bit towards securing the environment. It is our responsibility to sensitise the young minds towards nature and its importance who will ultimately carve the future of this planet.

With the ecological consciousness making its way globally, small gestures create an ‘Environmentally Just World’. Innovative approaches undertaken in building the facilities at the home level that contribute hugely in terms of reducing the carbon footprint and intelligent out of the box approaches like introducing some age-old Indian Architecture techniques that not only make the buildings eco-friendly but also make them more cost effective and turn it into a Green Campus.

“The students at SAJS are encouraged to embrace sustainable energy and pollution-free environment which has developed into a culture that has fetched the school the coveted awards such as Paryavaran Mitra Puruskar by Ministry of Environment and Forest for three consecutive years.”

The Nature Club and Interact Club take up the cause of spreading awareness among students through cleanliness drives, CrackerFree Diwali etc. at the local level. One of the most prime initiatives of the school at the Global Echelon is to join hands with ENO (Environment Online Programme) that provides the school and the students the platform for reducing the Carbon Footprint, through numerous activities and Exchange Programmes with schools Worldwide.

The school also has a functional Paper Recycling Unit for Trash to Treasure, a dedicated Herbal Garden, E-waste Management in association with EWRI, Cup to Compost Initiative for collecting used tea bags, House Sparrow Awareness programs in association with Eco Roots Foundation, Green Blog and Green Advisory Units etc.

The students at SAJS are encouraged to embrace sustainable energy and pollution-free environment which has developed into a culture that has fetched the school the coveted awards such as Paryavaran Mitra Puruskar by Ministry of Environment and Forest for three consecutive years, ENO (Environment Online – A step Towards a Greener Tomorrow, Green School Award by Digital Learning – 2017, National Education Day Award by CBSE, Grand Jury Green School Award by Digital World Magazine, Blue Sanitation rating certificate by CBSE, CEE Eco School Green Flag Award by CEE (Centre for Environment Education) along with Handprint Flags for 3 Thematic Areas Connect and placed us on the international pedestal of the most environmentalfriendly and sustainable schools. The school took a quantum leap by being ranked among Top 20 Green School of India by CSE (Centre for Science and Environment and received ‘Certificate of Appreciation’ for consistent participation in ‘Green Olympiad’ conducted by The Energy and Resource Institute.

The school has marched ahead in association with other schools across the globe, to paint the canvas of our atmosphere with ‘GREEN’. Excellence is not simply an objective but a fulfilling journey wherein everyone strives to enable students to grow and blossom into responsible, global citizens, therefore, school is working in Sync with various Agencies of National and International repute like WWF INDIA, Centre for Environment Education (CEE), Centre for Science and Environment – CSE, E-Waste Collection India (EWRI), Rotary Club, TERI, Citizen Environment Improvement Society, Noida (CEIS), etc. for the upkeep and maintenance of the ‘Mother Earth’ as responsible stake holders.

ITM Global School Building Future Leaders Holistically

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digitalLEARNING Network

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November 3, 2017

The teachers’ professional development is at the core of the school programmes and around 45 days of training, workshops, conferences, presentations and other such opportunities are provided in a year at ITM Global School, Gwalior, says the school principal Ajay Lall in conversation with Elets News Network (ENN).

How does the environment at your school help students to lead and excel in the global community?
Students are given opportunities to develop and display their talents in their areas of strengths. All students from grades I to XII are given an opportunity to apply for a given position in the student council. SPIKE (students’ plan to integrate knowledge with experience) is a student body which plans entrepreunership projects and utilises the money for student welfare. Visits to organisations working for the underprivileged, physically impaired and other such children are done throughout the year with students’ initiative. Nukkad nataks are performed by the students to make the general people aware of the social evils. Further, a number of our students have excelled at National Level in sports – mainly tennis, basketball, floorball and archery.

What measures are in place to make teachers competent enough to educate students and nurture them as future leaders?

The professional development for teachers is at the core of the school programmes and around 45 days of training, workshops, conferences, presentations and other such opportunities are provided in a year. Teachers are also sent for CIE subject workshops to other cities by the school. In-house training happens once a month during NID (Non-instructional days). Trainers and workshop leaders are also invited to the school for specialized training in key areas which requires strengthening be it class management or dealing with SEN children.

Parents’ involvement is an important factor to educate children. What policies are followed at the school to involve parents in teaching-learning processes?

Parents are an integral part of the school and our main stakeholders. Apart from the school almanac, parents are able to communicate with the school via telephone, through the grade teachers, by email, through online access on the website and even through PTA members.

An open invitation is provided to parents to participate in any and every school activity and also to share their expertise with the students. Feedback from parents is taken seriously and the feedback forms are collated and analysed twice in a year.

Security is a very important concern in schools. What measures are taken by your school to ensure the safety?

Entire school building and the adjoining areas are under CCTV surveillance. Even the school buses are fitted with cameras for recording the activity there. The child is taken back to school if the parent or guardian fails to pick him/her up from the designated spots at the given time to ensure the child’s safety.

‘UAE’s new initiatives to pave way for future ready country’

News

By

Akash

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November 2, 2017

The Government of United Arab Emirates (UAE) has taken many initiatives for the better future of its citizens, said Kalthoom AlBalooshi, Executive Director of Education Development, KHDA, Dubai during 8th Knowledge Exchange Summit Goa.

While sharing her motive for participating in the event, she said, “The Governor of Goa has said a very important thing here that we are here to learn and the only way we can learn is through conversations with others present here. The main reason we came here from Dubai is to learn from you guys, from different people in India and from other countries. It is also possible that by partnering with India, we can take our practices to another level.”

According to her, India and United Arab Emirates (UAE) have very good relationship with each other and the two countries share the best practices with each other in the field of education, Information Technology and Innovation.

Explaining about the recent initiatives, she said, “Dubai has actually adopted a new approach called “10X”. The approach is towards 10 times faster, 10 times easier, 10 times far more thinking, 10 times everything more in the future than the present. We pushed government entities and private companies to think forward not only about what can we do at present.”

“We have initiated a programme called future accelerator which has done by a lot of companies as well. Government entities are partnering with entrepreneurs to develop the future solutions,” she added

She said, “In last few days the Prime Minister of UAE has announced changes in the ministries, appointed young new ministers and started new ministries of Artificial Intelligence and Science and Research as this is the future. A minister for happiness is also appointed as we know that the knowledge is important but the softer or sentimental side of the life is also critical. With that we have a new initiative called “30X30” in which a person does a kind of physical activity, walks or runs for at least 30 minutes a day, throughout the 30 days of the month.”

She also said that Dubai Land Department has adopted the Blockchain Technology, which is the first government department in UAE adding “this is just the starting, if we partner with the Indian companies and with the Government of India, we can learn a lot from their experience.”

During speech at the summit, she also said, “In Dubai, 2017 is the year of giving, through the WES platform we are trying to give what we have learnt, what we have done.The conversations with people present here will help us to understand our areas of improvement, how can we make it better, what more we can give to organisations and companies in India.”

Superkidz at Holy Heart School: Giving Wings to Imagination

By

digitalLEARNING Network

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November 2, 2017

Shilpa Vikram Seth, Principal,
Superkidz at Holy Heart-Amritsar

At Superkidz, activity oriented learning is encouraged in 50,000 sq feet area to give wings to their imagination. Children are given global skills through ample curricular and non-curricular activities, says Shilpa Vikram Seth, Principal, Superkidz at Holy Heart-Amritsar, in an interview with Elets News Network (ENN).

How the practices followed at Superkidz at Holy Heart School help students to inculcate intelligence and lifelong enthusiasm for learning?

Learning in school is a progressive, planned activity cast in the light of the firmly held belief that children are different from adults and that they need to be prepared for the adult world at the same time as they need to be protected from it. At Superkidz at Holy Heart School, we take several steps to make learning fun and inspiring. Each kid is observed and noted everyday in his/ her all activities. Differentiation tips and regular assessment of skills and concepts give the teacher an effective way to give each student personalised attention.

As the teacher student ratio is 1:20, every child is well monitored physically and emotionally. Teachers get ample opportunity to develop personal connects with kids which help the teachers to understand the kids better and hence they work on different kids according to their specific needs.

Parents are counselled by the school in case their kids face any problem on a regular basis. Every child faces different situation and the children at Superkidz at Holy Heart School are taught how to be emotionally balanced and to handle situations without losing their patience with a positive approach. All these practices pave the way for students to inculcate intelligence in a caring and loving environment.

What are the best global practices followed at Superkidz at Holy Heart School to impart innovative learning experience to students?

At Superkidz, activity-oriented learning is encouraged in a 50,000 sq feet area to give wings to their imagination. Children are given global skills through ample curricular and non-curricular activities.

Kids are not bound to a single classroom. They move in groups independently to different areas as per their schedule. From time to time field trips, excursions and movie shows are organised.

These methods make students ready for upcoming challenges in today’s rapidly changing, interconnected society.

Teachers are the most important factors in making school learning interesting. What parameters are adopted at the school while appointing teachers?

Teachers set the tone of their classrooms, create a warm environment, mentor and nurture students, become role models, and listen and look for signs of trouble. At Superkidz, we believe that the soul of the school is sound teaching processes. To achieve this we have high expectations from our faculty. According to our norms a teacher should be an expert in their field; collaborate with colleagues, students and families to create a culture of respect and success; demonstrates leadership and innovation inside and outside of the classroom. By ensuring all these qualities, we ensure that the best faculty is hired by the school.

How extracurricular activities help students to boost their learning at Superkidz at Holy Heart School?

Extra co-curricular activities are considered to be an integral part of school life and are central to each school’s commitment to the academic, social and emotional well-being of their students. At Superkidz, children have the opportunity to participate in many different activities that encourage the development of specific skills.

What is the vision and plans of the group for the next few years?

We aim to nurture children’s passion to influence change through a creative and interactive curriculum with emphasis on fostering a spirit of discovery and enjoyment in learning. At our school, academics come wrapped in rich layers of imaginative, cultural, creative and experiential learning, but most importantly, we are committed to bring out excellence in every child by cultivating self-confidence and principled young minds. The upcoming plans of the group are as follows::

After sound footing in Superkidz at Holy Heart, our students move to our high school, i.e., Holy Heart Presidency School, which provides them with world-class infrastructure and latest education techniques and is equipped with smart classes in all rooms to make learning interesting and interactive Best exposure to sports is given to students through a state-of-the-art indoor sports complex.
The school has tied up with Yuvraj Singh Cricket Academy, which is about to launch training programmes in a few months time.
The school is incorporating an auditorium of 1,000 seats that is intended to support the school’s performing arts and educational presentation requirements. This auditorium will be used to showcase the talent of the students and build up their confidence.
The school is going to tie up with a professional sports company for training students in basket ball and lawn tennis.
The school is heading forth towards setting up of vocational school for giving life skills training to young students.

JKG International Stimulating Young Minds for Better Tomorrow

By

digitalLEARNING Network

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November 2, 2017

Karun Gaur, Director,
JKG International School, Ghaziabad

In 1973, the vision of a forerunner educationist J K Gaur manifested itself in the form of an ISO certified school-JKG International, imparting education in a stimulating environment in Ghaziabad. Since then the school has been setting new benchmarks in shaping up young minds, says Karun Gaur, Director, JKG International School, Ghaziabad in conversation with Elets News Network (ENN).

How is your partnership with Felsted International Summer School and British Council helping the students and teachers in adopting the best teaching learning practices across the globe?

It’s a great opportunity for us to bring international education alive into our classrooms through a teaching assistant from a foreign nationality. It is a good chance for all of us to build collaboration with UK and get teaching skills beyond national boundaries. In addition to this, we will learn cultural diversities.

How important is parental role to prepare children as good human beings and responsible citizens?

Parents are the most influential role models that children have. They should express their unconditional love for their children as well as provide them with the continued support they need to become self assured and happy. Discipline is crucial when bringing up a child as through discipline the child learns that some kinds of behaviour are acceptable and others not. Setting boundaries for children’s behaviour helps them to learn how to behave in society.

What extracurricular activities are conducted at the school to inculcate various talents in students?

We extend education beyond the confines of the classroom. JKG Sports Academy provides coaching for cricket, hockey, basketball, chess, archery, Kho-kho, boxing, skating and table tennis, Kabbadi, rope skipping.

Martial Arts is also practiced to inculcate attributes of strength, focus and build a strong physique. Our sports achievers are the emerging stars of India. Our hockey champs Priyanshu Tomar and Govind Singh Bisht are in Uttar Pradesh Under-14 Indian National Hockey Team.

What sort of faculty training and leadership programmes are conducted by the school to enable them for preparing students for the world at large?

Some of the best practices are:

Our initiative Education 3.0 learning is India’s first ever programme that establishes a stateof the-art experiential learning lab in the school premises along with customised grade specific experiential learning programmes for classes Nursery to VIII.
Entrepreneurship programme (Nest – A Home for plants)
Cultural exchange through Teacher Assistant Programme
Workshops and Seminars are organised annually for teachers’ enrichment and enhancement in their teaching skills as well as making them aware with the recent innovative strategies and pedagogies.
Use of multimedia
Regular faculty meet

What is the school’s vision and mission for the upcoming years?

By the next three years, the school will be able to instil civic sense in students and train them to face natural calamities. The young scholars will also aware the community for the same.

Our philosophy is to create a caring environment under the guidance of skilled teachers, to impart sound education inculcating among students the habit of cooperation, discipline, self-confidence, regularity and punctuality.

ICT – Defining the Role of Future Education in India

By

digitalLEARNING Network

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November 2, 2017

In the era of digitisation, technology and knowledge have taken centre stage in national and international debates. At the same time, ICT has become an integral part of nearly all sectors and segments especially linked to the education landscape. Be it teaching, learning and assessment, ICT is crafting the role of future education in India, writes Rashi Aditi Ghosh of Elets News Network (ENN).

Significance of ICT in Teaching-LearningAssessment

ICT has changed the education scenario in the last few decades by emerging as one of the most efficient tools used in the learning process, both by tutors and learners.

According to Vaibhav Kapoor, Principal, Ajanta Public School (Gurugram), ICT has changed the face of education over the last few decades. “It has proved to be a boon to both the teachers and the learners. Looking for matter beyond the textbooks is no longer a challenge with respect to time and resources anymore.”

Assisting in the growth of ICT learning in the country, several brands are ensuring to create options for educational institutions.

Recognising the importance of digital literacy in rural India, in 2013 Samsung India launched a Smart Class initiative in collaboration with Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti. The initiative is available across 500 Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya Schools, benefitting over 2.5 lakh students. The brand has imparted training to over 8,000 teachers on interacting technology.

Gopal Singh Tomar, Principal, Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya, Dadri (Uttar Pradesh) feels “60 per cent of the students in our school are the first time users of technology or Smart Class”.

Stating that students are now confident and the use of technology is helping our teaching also to a great extent, he said: “Our results have improvement post-ICT.”

“Smart Classes have helped one of our students Akash Karan in developing a mobile application. This app helps the user in calling his/her dear and near ones in case of any emergency just by using the app and that too by a single touch.”

Lately, technology is playing a vital role to ensure effective and efficient assessment of learning. Modern technology is offering educators with a wide range of tools that can be used in the classroom.

Dr Bharti Swami, Principal, Vidhyashram International School (Jodhpur) feels teachers are able to prepare lessons, create courses and sequence classroom activities through LMS (Learning Management System) “which can be used and reused for various lectures with provision for editions as and when required to modify the content. Assessment has become easier and comprehensive”.

“The assessment tools like assignments on Edmodo, quiz on kahoot or survey sheets through office forms and Microsoft forms have come a long way to assist the assessment process,” said Jyoti Gupta, Principal, Delhi Public School, Ghaziabad (Meerut Road), while explaining the role of assessment tools.

ICT overpowering Traditional methods

Technology has brought in major changes in the way education is imparted. Teaching and learning process has evolved from being a one-sided activity to an active process involving exchange of ideas. Indulgence of various creative tools and techniques has made the process a collaborative initiative.

Students in today’s classrooms are encouraged to participate actively in the learning process and become active producers of ideas and thoughts. “The students are equipped with the correct knowledge, skill and attitude to take full advantage of all the new opportunities that will be available for them in future,” according to Dr Bharti Swami from Vidhyashram International School (Jodhpur).

Role of central Government Central Government in promoting ICT

The concept of ICT in schools was initially introduced in December 2004. The Central Government later revised it in 2010 to ensure opportunities for students enrolled at the secondary level of education.

Presently, the Central Government has subsumed ICT in schools under Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan, a national drive for secondary education.

“Various initiatives have been taken by the Government of India for boosting the use of ICT in Education education sector. All e-resources are made available through e-pathshala. Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan aims at nurturing the spirit of enquiry and creativity in young learners,” said Dr Swami.

To achieve complete digitisation and smart education, the Ministry of Human Development has initiated several new initiatives.

The Central Government has answered the calls to the changing dynamics of education, especially to the importance of bringing ICT to the schools and colleges and improving the contour of classroom teaching and learning, says Vaibhav Kapoor, Principal, Ajanta Public School (Gurugram), adding: “Availability of technical advancements namely e-pathshala, Saransh, Shala Siddhi, Shaala Darpan, of NCERT books on mobile app etc. are commendable.”

The Central Government initiatives are good in many ways as it permits online submission of data through web portals. “This is more transparent and bogus data can be avoided and Indian education sectors have to do education with quality only in future,” said Dr S Sridhar, President, Dr K N Modi, Newai, Rajasthan.

Key Challenges in Integrating ICTs in Education

Though ICT holds the potential to transform the education system of a country to a great extent, its implementation in terms of developing countries remains a challenge to an extent.

“Training teachers for the use of ever evolving technologies, upgrading their skills continuously and keeping them abreast of the latest developments and best practices is a herculean task,” said Dr Swami.

Availability of latest hardware and software facility determines the efficient usage of technology and maintaining it in schools involves a lot of financial investments. “The biggest challenge for effective implementation of ICT in the schools is the high expenditure in the installation and running of the tools,” said Vaibhav Kapoor, Principal, Ajanta Public School (Gurugram).

STEM (Science Technology Engineering Mathematics) Education Paving Way for Skilled India

Article

By

digitalLEARNING Network

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November 2, 2017

The present-day needs of developing India require it to adopt several scientific and technological innovations. As a result, education sector is facing a lot of challenges in meeting the skill demands. Offering a solution to this, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) is emerging as the new alternative of futuristic education, writes Rashi Aditi Ghosh of Elets News Network (ENN).

Need of the Hour

With the traditional teaching methodology having undergone a sea-change, students can today experience different connotations by ‘doing and learning by themselves’ style. And, this is where STEM education comes into picture.

In India, STEM Education is relatively a new term which has drawn much attention off late. In contrast to the belief that India produces the highest number of scientists and engineers, the growth of STEM education had been slow till few years ago.

But in the last decade or so, with the mushrooming of many STEM education companies in the country, the Indian education system seems to be on the right track for development.

“STEM education is a modern day approach, designed to initiate revolution in the field of education.“

Understanding STEM Education

STEM education is a modern day approach, designed to initiate revolution in the field of education. It holds a lot of significance in today’s world as it enables the students to learn in a systematic and logical manner, be future ready. With the launch of Narendra Modi-led government’s initiatives like “Make in India”, that pledges to make the country a manufacturing hub, the demand to produce skilled manpower trained in the field of science and technology has risen exponentially.

To cope up with developing technology, students have to face lot of challenges and develop their capabilities much beyond expected. They need to update, explore and improve their knowledge by various means. “To compete with modern society students must develop skills such as adaptability, communication, social skills, problem solving, self management etc. Education should provide opportunity for students to develop these 21st century skills,” says S. Ayyappan Nair, Academic Director, BGS Group of Institutions.

Significance in India

Though edu-experts world over have realised that STEM education is the need of the hour, does it hold relevance for India? India has the highest number of students in the world at 315 million, according to Census 2011. Still there is a huge gap between the skills offered and industrial demand. The reasons of this discrepancy could be many i.e. lack of academic infrastructure, innovative and interactive course methodology, qualified teachers etc.

Official data shows that less than one per cent of the students pursuing higher studies choose research-oriented courses. Offering a promising solution to this grim scenario, STEM education is emerging as the new face of futuristic education. Since 2012, with the advent of STEM education in India, science and technology has got a remarkable facelift.

“It intends to facilitate the learning of Science and Mathematics on a robotic platform. It offers a hands-on, enjoyable environment to learn Science, Mathematics and the emerging science of robotics,” according to Vaibhav Kapoor, Principal, Ajanta Public School (Gurugram).

Considering the Indian Education Sector, the advent of STEM Education has acted as “a catalyst and accelerated the development of students’ skills and understanding”

The Roadblocks

STEM education might have a progressive approach but it faces several challenges as far as its implementation in concerned.

According to Nair, of the BGS Group of Institutions, implementation of STEM has the following hurdles:

There are no clear guidelines on how to implement STEM.
It is completely based on technology but some schools in India do not use technology.
Unsure about qualified STEM teachers.
Lack of good infrastructure.

Citing the financial backwardness as one of the major challenges, Kapoor from Ajanta Public School, adds: “A majority of India’s population still lives in economically backward conditions. Under such circumstances it is extremely difficult to keep pace with the scientific and technological advancements.

Speaking about the need of the leaders for enabling optimum implementation of STEM, Anuradha Govind, Principal, JM International School (New Delhi), said: “Bigger challenge is actually the conventional mindset and limited exposure of educators to this kind of path- breaking innovation.”

However, under the leadership of “visionary torch-bearers and with the regular practical training of teachers in the well equipped labs, will gradually transform teachers, developing the scientific or we say STEMific temperament in teachers which will certainly be infectious to our students.”

Kalorex Empowering Children to Succeed in All Spheres of Life

By

digitalLEARNING Network

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November 1, 2017

Kalorex is a well-established name in education sector. The group is managed by renowned edupreneurs and chaired by Dr Manjula Pooja Shroff – Awarded by President of India for her work in education and social sector. The group with its focus to inculcate culture, values and ethics among students, is trying to serve all segments of the society by educating learners from preschool to K-12.

Technology and Research based pedagogies are followed across all Kalorex schools that lead to holistic development of students. The Alumni of Kalorex are placed at leading corporates, business houses, research and development organisations, and space and defence institutions across the world.

Kalorex, since its inception, has lived up to its commitment towards professionalism and excellence in school education. The group has two Delhi Public Schools (Bopal and East Ahmedabad), Calorx Olive International School, an IB School at Ahmedabad and Calorx Public Schools at Rajula, Mundra, Ghatlodia (Ahmedabad), Bharuch and Jaipur. To serve all sections of the society, the group has initiated Projects like Visamo Kids Foundation and Prerna for marginalised students and also for students with special learning needs. Moreover, the group also provides vocational training to unskilled women under VEDIC – Vocational Educational Development Institute of Calorx.

Kalorex ensures professional and personal growth for all its educators who are employed with any of its institutes. The teachers follow the core values set for KALOREX – Kinetic, Academic Excellence, Living-In-The Gap, Ownership, Raison D’etre, Empowerment and X– Factor – and the same percolate in the teams working in the various institutes under the Kalorex group.

Kalorex – A professionally managed autonomous institution focuses its activities on K-12 education since its inception. It believes in empowering students to succeed in all spheres of life. With 40+ institutions and growing, Kalorex tries to address the needs of all segments of the educational domain. “Shaping Glocal Learners” – Think global and make the best of the local environment – is the Kalorex mantra.

Kalorex is a trusted name amongst parent communities, be it the National or International Boards of Education. Kalorexians are known for bringing laurels to their country resulting out of a diverse exposure given by the Kalorex institutions and its relentless pursuit for excellence. Kalorex was among the first educational groups to use technology in the classroom and install SMART classes.

All Kalorex students are exposed to a variety of scholastic and co-scholastic activities which help in their overall development. Not only in education, the students have won many awards and recognitions in different activities across the country. Teachers at Kalorex play the most important role in this by recognising the needs of students and motivate them to excel in various fields. Kalorex is proud to have students who gained National and International fame in fields where their talent is encouraged and recognized.

At Kalorex, each and every student is equipped with competencies in financial, linguistic, digital and media aspects, along with life skills, values and traditions of the local environment. It enables every child to become an asset for the society.

Kalorex is growing by leaps and bounds and expected to make its presence felt in all states in India within the next decade. There are 40+ Institutions in 2 countries, 8 cities, under the Kalorex banner, with over 12000 students from more than 24 nationalities.

Kalorex has a distinctive vision of expanding by way of inviting partners to join hands to invest in Infrastructure facilities. Kalorex will bring in the Institutional expertise/experience by taking over the Operations and Management of the Schools. Investments are mainly pertaining to the working capital and growth of the schools. In business terms, it adopts an asset light model.

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