Since Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced the demonetisation of `500 and `1,000 notes in November, the move has evoked innumerable responses and discussions in almost every sphere of life in India. The world of education certainly was not an exception, Rashi Aditi Ghosh and Priyanka Sharma of Elets News Network (ENN) tried to explore the influence.

Despite having a huge significance for the Indian growth story, the education sector’s response somehow got sidelined or perhaps not given a proper heed to.
Be it students, academicians or powers that be in various academic institutions, a big section of them appears to be unanimous in stating that the move’s overall effect on education has been positive.

Effects of Demonetisation on Schools
Advantages:
Wide Scope for Poor Students:Demonetisation will create a level-playing field for aspiring and deserving students, who are unable to pay capitation fee, which has been widely prevalent in the private education system.
Respite from Capitation Fee: The government’s demonetisation is likely to give a big relief from the monetary harassment done in the names of capitation fees. This is actually the money paid to educational institutes to cover up for the academic underperformance of students who wish to seek admission based on capitation fee. Described as “donation”, sometimes its amount is more than 100% of the usual fee.
Speaking on demonetisation and its ablity to curb capitation fee, Vaishali Parikh, Headmistress –Anand Niketan, Bhadaj Campus, said, “Demonetisation can change the course of expensive education which can be made more affordable devoid of the capitation fee. The seats in the so-called management quota will not be up for sale by the institutions instead they will be in the hands of meritorious students.”
A Curb on Black Money: The amount of unaccounted wealth with many such parents is likely to considerably reduce, resulting in increased opportunities for those students who are capable, but previously used to edged out by capitationfee-paying students.
Getting Closer to Digitisation: With demonetisation the usage of various e-payment gateways like online debit/credit card transactions, e-wallets and mobile banking has registered an enormous rise. It has opened a whole new way of making payments required for educational institutions. E-books, paying fees online, buying and sharing digital projects will see a definite rise post-demonetisation.
Talking about the impact of demonetisation on educational institutions, Kiranjit Singh Pannu, Principal, Tapti Valley International School, said, “Demonetisation, although sudden, it has given a great boost to the schools. Because of this initiative schools from now on will get digitally enhanced and cashless.”

Disadvantages:
Poor Internet-connectivity areas may face problems
Nearly 20 per cent Indians have access to the internet. While, a mere 14 per cent Indians can access internet occassionally through their mobile phones, according to Pew Research Centre, an American research Organisation.
Explaining the issue of poor Internet-connectivity and its impact on demoentisation, Joseph Thomas, Chairman, Mount Litera Zee School, Mysore, said: “Schools in cities may not have a big problem adjusting to demonetisation, as parents are educated and tech savvy. But it may be a hassle for institutions in rural areas where more awareness and training is required. We don’t anticipate any big difference or change as people are adapting to the reality.”Demonetisation May Raise Cyber Threats In a recent

Demonetisation May Raise Cyber Threats
In a recent cyber attack of unprecedented scale, safety of over 32 lakh debit cards was compromised in October, the culprit being a malware. It was reportedly the biggest data breach in the Indian banking history.
According to the India Risk Survey-2016 conducted by Pinkerton and FICCI, the information and cyber insecurity has been listed as the second biggest threat to businesses in India for two consecutive years.

Impact on higher education overseas
Since some parents use black money to fund student expenses for those who are studying abroad, the flow of Indian students to foreign countries may also dwindle.

Government Endeavours to Promote Digitisation post-demonetisation

HRD Ministry to award educational institutes promoting digitisation
Promoting the Prime Minister’s favourite demonetisation move in a major way, the Ministry of Human Resource Development gave a deadline to all educational institutions to go completely digital for payments, and the institute that makes the best effort will be awarded by the ministry.
A roadmap on how e-payment mode should be adopted has been given to various institutions. By January 12, all institutions should complete the first step of going completely cashless.
A circular in this regard was sent to all colleges and universities recently. Institutes are also required to submit the details of the steps taken by them till January 12 and the number of student volunteers that have been enrolled.

“Schools in cities may not have a problem in adjusting to demonetisation. But it may be a hassle for institutions in rural areas where more awareness and training is required.”
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Joseph Thomas, Chairman, Mount Litera Zee School, Mysore

CBSE goes the cashless way Smart Cards and e-Wallets to be introduced in schools soon by CBSE
From next quarter, cashless transactions will be mandatory for all CBSE affiliated schools. The educational board has decided to make payment of teachers’ salary and school fees cashless. Thus, Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has also decided to introduce smart cards in canteens and tuck shops to promote financial literacy and to inculcate the habit of cashless transaction among students.
CBSE has conducted meeting with 350 nodal schools on December 7 and they made them understand how to make the schools completely cashless. And, just after this meeting, within three days a circular on staff payment through bank transfer and payment of fees only through “non-cash” mode.
CBSE recently declared that from January 17, it will go cashless with affiliated schools, accepting fees through e-payment.

“Demonetisation can change the course of expensive education which can be made more affordable devoid of the capitation fee.”
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Vaishali Parikh, Headmistress -Anand Niketan, Bhadaj Campus

Rajasthan Education Board to initiate e-payments
To help students pay their fee on time and ease their difficulties due to demonetisation, the Rajasthan Education Board on December 9, 2016 announced that it will be taking steps to digitalise their fee payment options. The Board has begun digitising its cash counters.
The Board is contemplating going cashless for student service centres in many districts as well as other offices as well.
The Board has made certain arrangements to digitise payments at these centres in the coming few days. For this, UPI addresses have been made ready, through which 30 terminals will be prepared.
Explaining about the preparedness pertaining to demonetisation, Kiranjit Singh Pannu, Principal, Tapti Valley International School, said, “We have commenced our measures for total Cashless transaction and Cashless school. We have briefed parents, teachers, staff and support staff about the change, implications and way ahead. We have organised a workshop by Chamber of commerce certified CA’s for our children of Grade 11 and 12 (Commerce). We are also organising awareness workshop for the parents and staff.”
Adding more about preparedness, Preeta Pillai,  Principal-Podar World School, said, “The benefit of cashless transactions are enormous therefore our school introduced online facility and non cash mode for collection of all types of school fees much before the announcement of demonetisation. Our school is interacting with Parents during Parent Teacher Meeting to spread awareness about the benefits of non-cash transactions and motivate students of senior classes to undertake promotional initiatives in their neighbourhood to promote cashless transactions among common people.”

Many schools have embraced the concept of flipped classrooms which have transformed teaching practices. In this, teachers are no longer required to stand in front of their students and talk to them for 30 to 60 minutes at a time.
The flipped classrooms have changed the classrooms. Top schools from around the world have adopted the model and are using it to teach classes in all curriculum areas to elementary, middle, and high school students as well as adults.
According to Rita Kaul, Director Acdemics, Millienium School, Noida, flipped classrooms have made learning a very interesting, innovative and interactive experience.
“The ICT tools have made learning more effective and interesting for all learners. All these ICT tools have indeed enhanced the teaching learning process in a positive way.”
Anil Mammen, Chief – Learning Design and Social Impact, Tata ClassEdge, said, “A flipped classroom converts one’s home into a learning space for acquiring information (watching videos, looking up websites, etc.) and classrooms into active learning spaces with activities, experiments, discussions and feedback. When learning gets powered by such high engagement and interaction, learning outcomes are certainly bound to go up.”
On significance of flipped classrooms, Ujjawal Singh, Chief Product Officer, Pearson said, “Flipped Learning allows for a really high quality interaction to take place between the teacher and the taught in the classroom. It allows for more time on concepts and applications and thus enhances the overall efficacy of the entire process. What it also does is that it significantly increases learner participation which allows for a great learning culture to prosper and grow”.

Flipped classrooms have made learning a very interesting, innovative and interactive experience. The ICT tools have made learning more effective and interesting for all learners.
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Rita Kaul, Director Acdemics, Millienium School, Noida

Field Trips

Alot of modern-day schools ensure students undertake field trips. Top schools endure the expense and disruption of providing field trips because these experiences help schools to produce civilised young men and women. With field trips, public schools viewed themselves as the great equaliser in terms of access to our cultural heritage.
In top school, teaching staff always try to develop a professional yet friendly atmosphere. It’s important for students to know and understand the purpose and aim of schooling, in clear terms. Various school trips, educational tours, projects, and a host of inter house activities with involvement of teachers develop a closer understanding among students.
Sharing his views on importance of field trips, Junaid Hussain, Head, Advocacy and Customer Relations, INME Learning said, “We do not consider these as trips. Our interventions form an integral part of a child’s learning journey. Experiential education methodologies play a crucial role in a child’s development, even more in today’s day and date due to the heavy reliance on technology. Outclass has been inspired by our own rich beyond-the-classroom learning experiences as students. These experiences powerfully complement children’s ‘academic growth’ by building real ‘life skills’ that help us in our lives – looking inwards with honesty, working effectively with our teammates, and leading others with commitment”.
Dr Srimathy Kesan, Director, Space Kidz India has shared the genesis of her school that is completely based on experiential learning, “World is a book and those who do not travel will read only one page” Nothing works better than a touch n feel therapy. Seeing is believing, educational trips leave a lasting impression on a child’s mind forever, giving him or her an all round growth and development. More hands on and outdoor pedagogical teaching is healthy for both the tutor as well as the child. “Education through Travel”, in fact is the tagline of our organisation. This is the same principle that Schools all around the Country follow except that it would be for a shorter duration, to refresh the minds of the children, or to create an awareness into a particular stream of study and get them back to classroom learning.
According to Ravinder Pal Sinh, Director, Dell, flipped classroom methodology allows students to first read/review topics at home and then attend lecture. This way student can ask lot better questions and queries, which helps him to understand more better. This is a common teaching methodology in global reputed organizations, and same needs to be adpated here as well. Schools following are clearly winners here.

As a way to promote academic excellence along with other skills, few schools ensure their authorities, teachers, and students work as a team in various activities or projects to offer their students a sense of leadership and maturity. Collaboration of work with proper division of labour is most important. Various departments are headed by experts in their own fields are assigned with different work to execute them effectively. There is coordination and synchronisation among the various departments for the smooth functioning of the institution.
Top schools lay down processes to ensure performance by their students, teaching staff and school administration. The schools ensure that systems and processes are defined and imbibed by the school administration so that no room is left for ambiguities. In order to ensure academic excellence, a close synergy is maintained between the school management, teachers, students and parents by following the best procedures and practices.

Students are also able to learn at their own pace because they have all the materials at their disposal. Moreover, instead of just teaching, teachers can guide students while the latter applies their understanding in discussion sessions. With our digital learning solution, we, at Next Education, facilitate a flipped classroom.
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Beas Dev Ralhan, CEO, Next Education

While many schools excel in just one domain, top schools stress on the holistic development of each student, for example, Indraprastha group of schools admit each child with a motto ‘Teach each child, develop whole child’ that corroborates their vision of all-round growth of the personality of each student.
Sulochana Raja, Ryan International School, Mayur Vihar opined that diversified curriculum will help the schools to achieve academic excellence and develop the students holistically. According to her, “We encourage a curriculum where students not only develop critical and reflective thinking skills but also encourage them to have an empathetic view/outlook about classrooms of mixed ability students community services like contributions to orphanage, old age homes, adopting ‘Sapera Basti” ,food bucket challenge, rallies on cleanliness drive awaress on social issues. Value based education is imparted for a holistic and character development in students”.

As a progressive school  we believe that the multidisciplinary approach has become an important and challenging technique in shaping the curriculum.
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Geeta Rajan, Principal, St Marks Sr Sec Public School

Explaining the methods followed for academic excellence in his school, Anit Arora, Principal, Cambridge International School, Dasuya, said,“The school has been using a very formalised structure with clear lines of authority from the top down. This is a hierarchical structure. The administrative team consists of an organized central head and then heads of different departments. The reporting is as per the daily, weekly, monthly and yearly action plan. The plans are executed in appropriate ways and the records are maintained meticulously. All the faculty members are made aware of all the concerns. For the better functioning of the administrative structure the feedback is taken from parents as well as faculty members.”
Geeta Rajan, Principal, St Marks Sr Sec Public School said, “As a progressive school we believe that the multi-disciplinary approach has become an important and challenging technique in shaping the curriculum. This approach synthesizes more than one discipline and creates team of teachers and students that enrich the overall educational experience. Students taught with this technique master higher order thinking skills. This is definitely the future of discovery and innovation. We assign such projects to our students and we have noticed an advancement in critical thinking, communication and creativity of the students”.

With the passage of time the role of a teacher and expectations from them has changed. With students already being quite tech-savvy, it is expected that their teachers should be as much up to date as their pupils. They are expected to know the latest trends and their utility i.e. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, WhatsApp. Teachers are today supposed to be well-versed with these modernday tools of communication.

A modern-day school ensures its faculty remains ahead of the times. This is the original reason why schools are paying close attention on training and support to both new and experienced educators. In top schools, teachers are encouraged and recognised for their innovation in teaching methodologies. Many schools encourage their teaching staff to undergo training before teaching and attend various workshops in a year.

Many schools stress on ensuring that a positive teacher-student relationship draws students into the process of learning and promote their desire to learn (assuming that the content material of the class is engaging, age-appropriate and apt for students’ skills level).

About training of teachers in his school, Prajodh Rajan, CoFounder, Eurokids said, “Our teachers are presented with suggestive teaching strategies, teaching aids like relevant audio-video stimuli, and are given the freedom to draw from their professional and personal experience to make the programme both interesting contemporary and relevant. A 60-Hour teacher training programme is another measure that makes sure that our teachers have updated skills which in-turn ensures the holistic development of the children.”

According to Gita Parihar, Principal of Faizabad Public School, Faizabad, “Teachers influence the hearts and minds in ways few can. The true test of a school is the quality of its teachers. Teachers occupy such position of authority that students have to obey them. This position of power and privilege is open to use as well as to abuse. The abuse can take the form of teachers becoming authoritarian while using it at its best can transform the life of a child.

Teachers influence the hearts and minds in ways few can. The true test of a school is the quality of its teachers. Teachers occupy such position of authority that students have to obey them.
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Gita Parihar, Principal of Faizabad Public School, Faizabad

“The future of a child is secure if she gets a right teacher. Teaches come across cases of hyperactive, attention deficit and indisciplined children almost on a daily basis and greet the challenges. Do the best work first time, every time. They delegate responsibilities to such children, teachers’ positive and caring attitude brings improvement and brings healthy co-ordination between teachers and students.”

There are schools which rope in experts to educate and train with the latest trends be in the field of academics or skills.

“For development of teachers, we have a well planned workshop schedule. We try to rope in experts to guide our teachers and to enable them to become more proficient in teaching, classroom management and child development,” said Navneet Jain, Director, MD International School, Bijnor. “Continuous monitoring of the marks attained by the students help in student’s development .”

Vaibhav Kapoor, Principal, Ajanta Public School said, “We train our teachers regularly on the new techniques, methodology and development in the field of education through various workshops, seminars, training and interactional sessions. Students are also provided with the worthwhile sessions to enlighten them on the important topics other than studies that are of utter significance like ethics, career counselling, motivational talks and interactional sessions with influential personalities”.