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78th IPSC Principals’ Conclave – Soaring Towards Excellence
The 78th IPSC Principals’ Conclave which was hosted at the Punjab Public School, Nabha, saw top academicians and principals from various leading schools around the country in attendance.
The 78th IPSC Principals’ Conclave which was hosted at the Punjab Public School, Nabha, saw top academicians and principals from various leading schools around the country in attendance. The event opened its doors from December 2 to 5, 2017 and was formally inaugurated by His Excellency Shri VP Singh Badnore, Governor Punjab and Administrator, Union Territory, Chandigarh on December 3, 2017. Welcoming the Chief Guest was Cdr VK Banga, Chairman, IPSC who shared with everyone present the worthy credentials of Shri Badnore.
The event saw as many as 13 IPSC honorary members of the IPSC board, eminent educationists and other prominent personalities along with over 50 principals of India’s leading public schools participating. The theme for the 778th IPSC Principals’ Conclave was ‘Positive Progressive Partners – Soaring Towards Excellence’. The central idea is testimony to the fact that “Excellence in education is when we do everything that we can to make sure they (students) become everything that they can,” as Carol Ann Tomlinson put it. Excellence is not merely perfection. Rather, it is not only about being the best; but it is doing your best.
The 78th IPSC Principals’ Conclave was held to chalk out new age strategies for promoting positive partnerships for excellence. Day One of the conclave kicked off with an Executive Committee Meeting of IPSC, followed by Shaam-e-Ghazal with a live performance by the Sufi singer Manik Ali.
During his keynote address on Day Two, Governor VP Singh Badnore appreciated the principals for their contribution to the field of education and their untiring efforts in shaping the future of the country. He urged them to keep evolving to meet the future challenges and prepare students for a highly competitive and challenging future that awaits them. He stressed the need for a strong value system which needs to be imparted to the student community. He made a fervent appeal to all IPSC principals to devise ways to collaborate on common grounds. He said it was his earnest desire that all IPSC Member Schools have a Combined Entrance Examination for their students. He also presented IPSC souvenirs on the occasion.
General Bikram Singh, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, SM, VSM (Retd), former Chief of the Indian Army & Chairman, Chiefs of Staff and an alumnus of the Punjab Public School, Nabha, shared his personal experiences on how quality schooling helped him shape his career and make a mark in his professional life.
The children of the host school performed for their guests by presenting a cultural programme and showcased their talent. Later in the evening, the Nabha chapter of Old Nabhaites Association hosted a dinner party for the visiting dignitaries.
Dr Jagpreet Singh, Headmaster, Punjab Public School, proposed the vote of thanks saying that it was a matter of pride that a national level conclave was being hosted by his school during which leading academicians of the country would pool in their combined knowledge and experience and take important decisions that would directly affect the future of school education in the country.
Many notable academic personalities and leading educationists had discussions and moderated sessions on a variety of topics pertaining to education. Capt IJ Arora, Ms Priya and Ms Bhavna Paul discussed issues of vital importance to schools including the menace of drugs. A workshop was held on ‘Sharing Good Practices in Respective Schools’ moderated by Pramod Sharma, Director Genesis Global School, Noida, in which Mr Matthew Raggett, Headmaster, The Doon School, Dehradun and Ms Nishi Mishra, Principal, Scindia Kanya Vidyalaya, Gwalior shared good practices with the member principals. Mr RS Tanwar gave a presentation on Online GK Test. The day ended with Rock N Roll – A Western Evening; with fun galore.
Day 3 involved the delegates in a brainstorming session. Dr Singh spoke about ‘Secularism in Education’. It was followed by Ms Seema Jhingan giving an excellent talk on the topic ‘Legal Issues in Education’. She answered the queries of the principals that pertained to various legal angles concerning multiple issues in schools.
The post-lunch session was devoted exclusively to a panel discussion on the topic ‘Education in 2050’. The panellists included Dr Sumer Singh, Mr BK Sood, Mr Pramod Sharma, Mr BR Dubey, Capt (IN) VK Verma, Cdr (IN) VK Banga, Capt AJ Singh, Ms Nishi Mishra and Lt Col Amit Dagar. Moderated by Dr Manisha Sahni, the discussion projected future scenarios in education. The productive ideas that emerged out of the whole exercise included, amongst others, travelling classrooms, invisible campuses and keyboard lifestyle.
The delegates were felicitated by Mr BK Sood and Dr MV Prasad.
In his closing address, Cdr (IN) VK Banga, Chairman, IPSC called upon the member schools to take the IPSC forward in keeping with the times.
The Retreat Ceremony closed the historic event hosted by PPS Nabha and the day came to an end with Punjabi Potpourri – A Cultural Gala, which showcased the hearty, happy culture of Punjab.
This story was originally published in the January 2018 issue of ScooNews Magazine.