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Eminent Indian Educationists Review The New Education Policy 2020

New Education Policy 2020 has been announced on 29 July, we review the policy along with top educationist of the country

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New Education Policy 2020 by the Ministry of Human Resource and Development (renamed: Ministry of Education) has been announced on 29 July 2020. The announcement was commenced by Union Ministers for Information and Broadcasting (I&B) and Human Resource Development (HRD), Prakash Javadekar and Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank,’ respectively. They were joined by Amit Khare and Anita Karwal, both Education Secretaries.

In the wake of COVID-19 pandemic, the subsequent lockdown is responsible for a delayed academic session in the schools this year. Although, it has been worked up to open the academic session from September-October 2020. 

 

 

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Talking about the New Education Policy 2020, here are major reforms for school education and other suggested improvements for school and higher education that the leaders announced: 

  1. Universalization of Early Childhood Care Education (ECCE): NCERT will develop a National Curricular and Pedagogical Framework for Early Childhood Care and Education (NCPFECCE) for children up to the age of 8. ECCE will be delivered through a significantly expanded and strengthened system of institutions including Anganwadis and preschools 
  2. National Mission on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy: There will be no rigid separation between academic streams, extracurricular, vocational streams in schools; Vocational Education to start from Class 6 with Internships 
  3. 5+3+3+4 Curricular and Pedagogical Structure: this curriculum with 12 years of schooling and 3 years of Anganwadi/Pre-schooling
  4. Curriculum to integrate 21st Century Skills, Mathematical Thinking and Scientific temper
  5. No Rigid Separation between Arts & Science, between Curricular and extra-curricular activities, between Vocational and Academic streams
  6. Education of Gifted Children: Special emphasis will be given on Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGs) which include gender, socio-cultural, and geographical identities and disabilities
  7. Gender Inclusion Fund: Gender Inclusion Fund and also Special Education Zones for disadvantaged regions and groups
  8. KGBVs up to Grade 12
  9. Reduction in Curriculum to Core Concepts: Students will have increased flexibility and choice of subjects. There will be no rigid separations between arts and sciences, between curricular and extra-curricular activities, between vocational and academic streams. 
  10. Vocational integration from class 6 onwards
  11. New National Curriculum Framework for ECE, School, Teachers and Adult Education
  12. Board Examination will be Low Stakes, Based on Knowledge Application
  13. The medium of instruction till at least Grade 5, and preferably till Grade 8 and beyond in Home Language/ Mother tongues/ Regional Language
  14. Tracking Students Progress for Achieving Learning Outcomes: Assessment reforms with 360-degree Holistic Progress Card, tracking Student Progress for achieving Learning Outcomes
  15. National assessment centre, PARAKH: Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development will be set up as a standard-setting body
  16. NTA to offer Common Entrance Exam for Admission to HEIs
  17. National Professional Standards for Teachers (NPST): It will be developed by the National Council for Teacher Education by 2022, in consultation with NCERT, SCERTs, teachers and expert organizations from across levels and regions.
  18. Book Promotion Policy and Digital Libraries: Schools can be organized into complexes or clusters which will be the basic unit of governance and ensure availability of all resources including infrastructure, academic libraries and a strong professional teacher community.
  19. Transparent online self-disclosure for public oversight and accountability
  20. Technology in education: An autonomous body, the National Educational Technology Forum (NETF), will be created to provide a platform for the free exchange of ideas on the use of technology to enhance learning, assessment, planning, administration. 
  21. Financing Education: The Centre and the States will work together to increase the public investment in the education sector to reach 6% of GDP at the earliest.

We spoke to some of the top educationists of the country to bring out the crux of the policy draft and find out their personal opinions about the NEP 2020. Excerpts

Lt Col A Sekhar, Soldier Educationist

Challenges to be faced:

  1. It’s a progressive document, yet, without overarching long term vision.
  2. It’s a transformation attempted by the Indian government in the education sector but it falls short
  3. More on continuity, rather than transforming the main theme, despite some new ideas; especially in expected outcomes.
  4. Transformation of Assessment as suggested by the NEP is incredibly challenging.
  5. Outcomes are unrealistic in this milestone of NEP.
  6. Expected future jobs for the students does not match with the NEP reforms.
  7. Roadblocks will be natural in the stated reforms due to funding, governance and implementation.

The most serious of concerns for us, as educators/school leaders working at the ground level, are:

  1. Severe lack of resources on the ground level, both for private and public sector scholastic institutions
  2. The reluctance in mindset change due to deep-set fixed perception
  3. Huge, vested interests against the change
  4. Inherent insecurities of academia
  5. Societal indifference toward our teachers

Dr. Arunabh Singh, Director, Nehru World School

My top three takeaways from this are:

  1. One skill per year is a welcome and achievable target. It’s totally the need of the hour. I’m glad we have got this in the policy. 
  2. Portfolio-based 360-degree assessment with inputs from teachers, students and also parents in a fantastic idea. 
  3. The concept of National Professional Standards for teachers gets my thumbs-up as well.

Mr. Vishnu Karthik, Director, The Heritage Group of Schools

I’m pleasantly surprised! The NEP clearly acknowledges the need to embrace output focused reform rather than input focused reforms. The devil is in the details, but the new NEP has touched upon some key levers which will have a high impact on student learning levels. One is, of course, bringing on ECCE into NCF. Another is the decision to reduce the curriculum into the core. This will provide significant opportunity to focus on critical skills and capacities and would be gateway reform on curriculum and assessments. What is heartening is to see many reforms focused on assessments especially on National Assessment Centre and tracking of student progress on learning outcomes. These will bring in much-needed attention and accountability on learning progress.

Dr. Swati Popat Vats, President, Early Childhood Association & Association for Primary Education and Research

It’s a proud moment for our country that after 34 years, our new National Education Policy is released. We may dissect it all we want, but let's start by congratulating the government and the committee that worked hard on ensuring that vision of millions of Indian educators and policymakers is developed for the larger enhancement of education of our country. Also, an important move is to rename the Ministry of HRD to the Ministry of Education (MoE). The new policy is an integrated yet flexible approach to education but the ‘devil’ will, of course, be in the details! 

“The National Education Policy 2019 envisions an India centred education system that contributes directly to transforming our nation sustainably into an equitable and vibrant knowledge society, by providing high-quality education to all.”

1. Most importantly, the commitment of ECCE to children from age 3 onwards has been honoured in the new education policy. 
2. ECE for all by 2030, this is worth applauding and achievable only with the cooperation of all state governments. 
3. A national curriculum framework for ECCE is laudable, but the devil here will be how much say each state will have in this as it is imperative that a common guideline and goal should be drafted and state governments should not have the power to deviate from these essentials. As it is not fair for young children in different states to get a differing head start in life.
4. A preparatory class called ‘Balvatika’ in Anganwadis for 4 to 5-year-old children? Preparatory for what? Will they not follow the foundational age group of 3 to 8 years?
5. A welcome initiative is the National Foundation of Literacy and Numeracy Mission. We hope that literacy would Include first and second languages. And an earnest hope that numeracy designed by the foundation should be found in the curriculum and textbooks used by schools 
6. The Policy takes cognizance of the differences in the development of cognitive abilities in children. The flexibility in the first five years will enable equalising of the multiple cognitive abilities of children. 
7. 4 years integrated B.Ed degree by 2030, but what about ECE? Still no guidelines or a common course for ECE teachers!
8. A common National Professional Standards for Teachers (NPST) will be developed by the National Council for Teacher Education by 2022, in consultation with NCERT, SCERTs, teachers and expert organizations from across levels and regions. Will this include ECE teacher courses? 
9. 6% GDP on education is a welcome move, how much on ECE? This needs to be identified too. 
10. ‘Parakh’, the National assessment centre, we sincerely hope that they also define assessment for early years so that developmental delays and learning lags can be identified and rectified early on. 
11. It takes a village to raise a child, and the village identified in this policy for ECE is jointly the Ministries of HRD, Women and Child Development (WCD), Health and Family Welfare (HFW), and Tribal Affairs. How this village works together will decide the success of ECE in this country.  
12. NCERT will develop a National Curricular and Pedagogical Framework for Early Childhood Care and Education (NCPFECCE) for children up to the age of 8. A welcome move, ECA is hopeful that states will ensure the implementation of the same and thus remove the traditional, formal, stressful curriculums being followed by many preschools. The policy advocates that children of ages 3-8 have access to flexible, multifaceted, multilevel, play-based, activity-based, and discovery-based education. How this will be implemented and assured is going to be work in progress.
13. ECCE will be delivered through a significantly expanded and strengthened system of institutions including Anganwadis and preschools that will have teachers and Anganwadi workers trained in the ECCE pedagogy and curriculum – the question is what will this training comprise of? This needs to be identified at the earliest else different states will have different standards and quality of ECE teachers.
14. Mother tongue is a good move but difficult to implement. In cities where multiple language children are in the same class, which language will the teacher teach in?
15. Transparent public self-disclosure of all the basic regulatory information, as laid down by the State School Standards Authority (SSSA) will be used extensively for public oversight and accountability. The SCERT will develop a School Quality Assessment and Accreditation Framework (SQAAF), will this include ECE?
16. A single pedagogical unit called the “Foundational Stage." It is necessary, therefore, to develop and establish such an integrated foundational curricular and pedagogical framework, and corresponding teacher preparation, for this critical Foundational Stage of a child’s development. How schools will work this out and train already existing teachers in this will be the struggle? Also, this needs to be part of ECCE teacher training programs, and other teacher training programs. 
17. Also, does it mean that exiting private standalone preschools can now extend to grade 2?
18. A very heartening inclusion is that all the school children will undergo regular health check-ups and health cards will be issued. We hope this will include ECE children, too. 
19. A good initiative for the health of young children is the inclusion of an energizing breakfast in addition to midday meals. 

Overall the new education policy is a great vision to change the educational landscape in this country and it vitalises education by ensuring that ECE becomes the starting point of education for all children. 
 

Mr. Ashok Pandey, Director, Ahlcon Public and International Schools

The NEP, which has seen the light of the day after 35 years, makes a refreshing and encouraging read.

  1. The policy lays down the vision of equity and excellence of every child. Aligning the policy with India's obligation to Sustainable Development Goals (Goal 4), the policy is clear on commitment and intent.
  2. Bringing back the children who are out of the school for whatever reason and also, ensuring 100% service to adult education is likely to fulfil the commitment of education for all and lifelong learning.
  3. The target of achieving 50% enrolment in higher education from the current level of 26% is in line with the enrollment in higher education in most of the developed countries. To achieve this, the Universalisation of secondary education is must, and the policy rightly speaks about it.
  4. To make education equitable and accessible, the creation of a scholarship pool for the socially disadvantaged group is a welcome step.
  5. For an education system to be progressive, holistic, and inclusive, a degree of flexibility is a must. I am happy that flexibility in courses and curriculum, pedagogy, assessment, and technology has the full attention of the policy. My interpretation of the fine print suggests that short-term skill-based courses with micro-credentials will find its way into the system.
  6. It is heartening to note that there is an express desire to foster student agency and include their voices and choices, through student parliament has been identified as an essential feature of the policy.
  7. Teachers are the critical link between the student's aspirations and policy intent. Investment in teachers, their capacity building and bringing in accountability is a valuable exercise. The policy has laid down the guidelines for recruitment, retention, standards, and framework for the teachers.
  8. The purpose of education is not only to add grades, years, and certification. The purpose of education is to build societies. The NEP makes this vision clear.

Mr. Kanak Gupta, Director, Seth MR Jaipuria Schools

IT'S ABOUT TIME! God knows how many 'expert' panel discussions we've done on the drafts, at least there's some movement now. Does it deliver? Well. 

  1. I'm happy about the introduction of mother tongue in primary grades. Hopefully, it'd reach the missionary schools, too.
  2. I'm happy about the focus on the shift of assessments and restructuring of the grade levels. However, implementation is the higher and tougher task. India is a country that changes every 100 km. A policy made in the metro cities may not reflect into similar implementation at ground level. 
  3. Training of our teachers and changing patterns by 2022: huge task and mission. It's the nitty-gritty that's worried me. For instance, I'm excited to see planning for implementing Sanskrit. Surely a tough ask, especially in Southern states. 
  4. I'm a big believer in collaborative projects and learning by doing. Kudos to the makers thinking about that.
  5. Surprised its light on core issues of cultural deracination. I was hoping for a clearer distinction between literacy and numeracy, too.
  6. Of course, focus on GER is positive. However, one thinks whether the new normal taught us that the world has changed at all? Should've probably reimagined teaching-learning on the hybrid model, should've done away with Universalisation, too. 
  7. I firmly believe this should be an on-going task. No need for us to reinvent the wheel, but perhaps, just perhaps, look at a 3-5-year timeline to introspect and see where we are going, rather than wait for 35 years for a top-down decision to come.

Congratulations, we are under 'Ministry of Education' now Small but good change!

Ms Divya Lal, Managing Director, Fliplearn Education Pvt. Ltd.

The New Education Policy is a refreshing shift and a bold corrective action in our approach to education in India and we welcome it whole-heartedly. Technology will now play a much bigger role not just in planning and administration, but pedagogy, content, tutelage and assessment; which is both futuristic and transformative, to say the least. The increased focus on technology, digital empowerment of schools will encourage institutions to upgrade their technology infrastructure and offerings to more virtual and seamlessly integrated platforms. The virtual platforms/labs will also bring learning alive for students with an emphasis on visual and experiential components than Rote learning. With reduced insularity and greater freedom in students selecting their subjects of choice, the focus will return to holistic learning of all subjects, rather than a bent towards Maths and Sciences. All-in-all, the new policy is a great step in the right direction and we look forward to the new face of education in India.

Mr. Matthew Raggett, Educationist, Writer, Former Headmaster, The Doon School

NEP contains many proposals that are progressive in their intentions and many good schools in the country that have been working towards them for years. For some schools, this has meant a shift in pedagogy from rote delivery to the planning of tasks and experiences through which their students learn. For other schools, it has meant a move towards the international examination boards and a curriculum that includes inquiry-based learning.

For some teachers, it has meant relearning an entire approach to their work. Planning is no longer about which page in the textbook would be done today, it is about collaborative, backward planning from the objectives that will guarantee every child the same opportunity to learn.

If India really is to have an education system by 2040 that is second to none, there are things that will have to change within the educational landscape, along with the political and social landscape. Long-lasting change cannot come from schools alone when they are a part of a larger system that also needs to change.

While recognizing, identifying, and fostering the unique capabilities of each student is a worthy goal, the idea that this can be done by sensitizing teachers, as well as parents to promote each student’s holistic development in both academic and non-academic spheres, means changing people hearts and minds; a lot easier said than done.

To have no hard separations between arts and sciences, between curricular and extra-curricular activities, between vocational and academic streams, etc. in order to eliminate harmful hierarchies among, and silos between different areas of learning is another well-intentioned aim that will require a generation of teachers, parents, universities and employers to abandon their own hierarchies and biases.

For ethics and human & Constitutional values like empathy, respect for others, cleanliness, courtesy, democratic spirit, the spirit of service, respect for public property, scientific temper, liberty, responsibility, pluralism, equality, and justice to be developed in schools, our students will have to be able to look around and see these being taken seriously in every area of civil life and society.

To move the focus on regular formative assessment for learning rather than the summative assessment that encourages today’s ‘coaching culture will have an enormous impact on the quality of learning and understanding developed in schools, but to follow it up by a Common Entrance Exam for admission to HEIs will undermine that effort.

I think that the NEP will provide a much-needed opportunity for us to look at where we are and to reflect on where we want to be. The work of moving to that destination with our schools by 2040 is going to be a challenge that anyone invested in education is willing to take on, but not one that everyone in schools is necessarily equipped, qualified or able to take on at the moment.

Education

Math Meets Machine: How AI Is Revolutionising Classroom Learning

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AI is redefining Maths as a subject in our classrooms (Image Source- Pexels/Google DeepMind)

In a world where algorithms power everything from our social media feeds to self-driving cars, it’s no surprise that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is transforming one of the oldest pillars of education—math learning in the classroom. Once confined to textbooks and chalkboards, math instruction is now getting a high-tech upgrade, ushering in a new era of personalised, engaging, and data-driven learning.

Cracking the Code: Why Math Needs a Makeover?

Let’s face the fact that many students see math as abstract, intimidating, or just plain boring. Traditional classroom approaches often take a one-size-fits-all route, leaving behind both the struggling learner and the gifted problem-solver. This is where AI steps in, not to replace the teacher, but to empower them with tools that adapt to each student’s pace, gaps, and style.

Enter AI: The Digital Math Mentor

Imagine a classroom where a student struggling with fractions gets instant, visual explanations tailored to their exact misunderstanding. At the same time, another who excels in geometry is offered advanced challenges to stretch their thinking. AI platforms are doing just that. They use real-time data to analyse student responses, detect patterns of error, and provide feedback that feels like one-on-one tutoring.

Far from replacing educators, AI acts as a powerful teaching assistant. Teachers can use AI dashboards to spot who needs extra help, where the class is lagging, or what concepts need reteaching without spending hours on manual assessments. This frees up more time for creativity, collaboration, and real-life math applications that bring numbers to life.

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AI also allows classrooms to become more inclusive and equitable. Language barriers? AI can offer multilingual support. Visual learners? Dynamic simulations and interactive tools adapt seamlessly. Students with special needs? Personalized pacing ensures no one falls through the cracks.

What’s Next? The Future of Math + AI

As AI grows more sophisticated, so does its potential in math classrooms. Think AI-generated practice problems based on local news, gamified learning paths that turn algebra into an adventure, or virtual tutors available 24/7 for homework help.

But with great power comes great responsibility. Educators, parents, and developers must ensure that AI tools remain ethical, transparent, and supportive, not controlling or biased.

Math education is no longer just about memorising formulas or solving problems on paper. In the AI-powered classroom, it’s about curiosity, connection, and confidence. With the right blend of technology and teaching, we’re not just raising better mathematicians but combining critical thinking with the subject for a world powered by data and driven by ideas.

This article is authored by- 

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Ranjith P C, Head Curriculum Excellence, TVS Education

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Education

Nirvaan Birla on Why Social Media Needs a Rethink in Today’s Classrooms

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Nirvaan Birla, Founder, Birla Open Minds urges a rethink on social media in classrooms

What happens when self-worth becomes a scrolling statistic? When confidence is measured in likes, validation is sought in comments, and a missed post feels like a missed opportunity, social media quietly becomes more than a platform; it becomes a mirror that distorts.

For the younger generation, the digital world isn’t an escape. It’s their reality. What once was a space for fun and connection now silently dictates their self-image, decisions, and even mental health. A carefully crafted caption, the right filter, or a viral reel can spark joy, but it can also fuel anxiety, insecurity, and constant comparison.

As engaging as social media is, it comes with an invisible cost. The pressure to be constantly available, consistently appealing, and endlessly relevant can take a toll. Many teenagers find themselves trapped in a loop of approval-seeking, often mistaking online popularity for personal worth.

Online peer pressure has evolved from being subtle to strategic. Likes are currency, stories are reputation, and every post is performance. Combine that with cyberbullying, misinformation, and the relentless pace of content, and you’ve got a digital space that’s as overwhelming as it is addictive.

Yet, knowing how to use social platforms doesn’t mean knowing how to handle them. Digital literacy has surged, but digital emotional intelligence still needs nurturing.

Recognising the urgency of this shift, Nirvaan Birla, Founder of Birla Open Minds, shared, “We see it every day. The impact social media is having on the younger generation’s mental and emotional wellbeing is significant. That is why at Birla Open Minds, we have initiated sessions like ‘Likes vs. Life’ across our schools. These sessions are designed to help learners reflect on their relationship with social media, how it affects their confidence, their focus, and their sense of self. Our larger vision is to shape not just academically strong individuals but also emotionally resilient ones who can navigate the digital world with awareness and responsibility.”

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The idea isn’t to villainize social media. It’s to humanize its users. What the younger generation needs most isn’t just digital access, but digital awareness. The ability to pause. To question. To ask: Is this who I really am, or just who I’m trying to be online. Because beyond the reels, hashtags, and likes lies something far more important: life. And that should never be lived for an algorithm.

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Education

Teaching Privilege: Why It Belongs in Every Classroom

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Why students must learn to recognise privilege in school—and how that awareness can build empathy, not guilt. (Representational AI Image)

Here’s the thing about privilege: most of us don’t even realise how it shapes our choices, our comfort zones and the opportunities we chase

I’ve been thinking about this for a while now, but it hit me harder during a recent conversation with a college student. One of the factors they had in mind while choosing their higher education institution was that most of the students there came from similar economic backgrounds. They felt uneasy at the thought of being in a space where others might be less privileged than them. And just like that, it became clear: even the discomfort of being around inequality is, in itself, a kind of privilege.

Here’s the thing: privilege wears many faces. Money, yes. But also caste. Gender. Language. Skin tone. Disability. Geography. And then there’s what Gen Z calls “pretty privilege”—the unspoken perks of fitting society’s standards of attractiveness. These aren’t abstract ideas. They play out every day—in who gets picked, who gets heard, who gets help without asking.

This isn’t about guilt. Guilt gets us nowhere. Awareness, though? That’s powerful. Students should be taught to recognise the invisible lifts they get. It’s not just that some kids have better shoes—it’s that they’ve never had to worry about having shoes. It’s not just about who studies in English-medium schools—it’s about who gets praised for speaking English at all.

Privilege doesn’t cancel out hard work. It explains the head start. And when students understand that, they become better humans. They stop seeing success as a solo act and start acknowledging the small privileges they enjoy. These can be supportive families, access to tutors, clean water, a safe route to school. Things so normal for some, they fade into the background. Afterall, acknowledgment is the first step to building empathy.

So where do schools come in? Right at the heart of it. Not with token assemblies or once-a-year poster competitions, but with consistent conversations. Through stories, books, theatre, debates—whatever gets them to look up from their own experience and into someone else’s. Not to feel bad, but to build perspective. And maybe, just maybe, to use their privilege to lift someone else.

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This isn’t about shaming anyone or turning life into a comparison game. It’s about empathy and responsibility. When students know they benefit from privilege, they can harness it to help others. They can mentor younger kids, fundraise for resources, or simply speak up when they see inequality in the classroom.

This isn’t a curriculum change. It’s a mindset shift. It’s the difference between raising achievers and raising citizens. If we teach kids to see both their own comfort and the struggles of others, we’ll nurture a generation that doesn’t just accept their advantages but shares them too.

If we want an education system that prepares students for the real world, then recognising privilege isn’t a side-topic. It’s foundational.

(This article is authored by Dhruv Chhabra, Lead-Content and Design at ScooNews and reflects the author’s personal beliefs and lived observations as an education journalist and storyteller. It is written with the hope that classrooms can become kinder, more aware spaces.)
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When AI Reaches the Top of Bloom’s—and Our Students Are Left Behind

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In a world where AI can mimic art, our children must master the art of being human (Representational AI Image)

We often talk about how AI is transforming education, but are we talking enough about what it’s quietly taking away?

CREATIVITY

As Sir Ken Robinson often reminded us,“Creativity is as important as literacy.”

And yet, in a system so focused on marks, rubrics, and outcomes,creativity is often the first thing we sacrifice.

Bloom’s Taxonomy places Creating right at the top,but in many classrooms today, it feels like AI has reached that level faster than our students have.While children are still figuring out sentence structure and grammar, AI is already generating poems, paintings, and polished presentations with a single click.

Which brings us to a deeply uncomfortable question:

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What happens when AI starts to “create”?
And more importantly—what happens when our students stop?

Today’s AI isn’t truly creative.It mimics. It reuses. It draws from patterns and reproduces what’s already been done.And if we don’t pause now to protect what’s uniquely human,we risk raising a generation of students who know how to use tools,but don’t know how to think.

Everything’s Starting to Look the Same

I’ve seen it. You’ve probably seen it too.

Creative writing tasks that sound strangely uniform.Artwork that feels formulaic.Presentations that are polished, yes, but empty.AI has democratised access to intelligence,but in doing so, it has started to flatten creativity.We’re now at a point where students are outsourcing not just answers,but imagination.

But true creativity cannot be prompted.It’s messy. It’s emotional. It’s born out of thinking, feeling, failing, and trying again. It lives in how we interpret the world. In how we care. In how we connect.

How Can We Bring Creativity Back?

We need to bring back the building blocks of creativity.

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READ
Let students read more deeply,not just skim or summarise.Let them feel what’s in the pages, get lost in ideas, debate their favourite character in a book or movie, and form their own emotional connections.

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING
Let’s re-focus on learning through doing,projects, fieldwork, play, nature, making mistakes, working with hands, collaborating, and reflecting.It’s in these non-linear, real-world experiences that creativity quietly blooms.

FINDING THE PURPOSE
We need to pause and ask: What is this child truly passionate about?
It could be animals, gardening, football, art—anything that sparks joy and curiosity.
Once we discover that passion, we can connect learning to it.
Let’s not just ask what they’re reading, but why they’re reading it.
What inspires them? How can that interest help them solve real-world problems?
That’s when learning becomes meaningful,and creativity starts to flow with purpose.

Because by the time they grow up,the world won’t just need people who can use AI – It will need people who can imagine what AI cannot.

(more…)

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Education

How to Win Back Wandering Minds: Post-Summer Edition

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(Image Source: Envato Elements)

The dopamine-rich scrolling in late mornings with amorphous freedom has made our zealous students so comfortable that they are re-entering their classrooms with minds tuned to instant gratification, not delayed rewards. Now the challenge isn’t just academics but to re-engage our bud’s attention and curiosity. Neuroscience backed motivation strategies and intentional school design could prove to be a catalyst as it will bring a positive change and enable the students to learn at a better pace.

1. Rewiring the Dopamine rush with 2 Ps, Purpose and Productivity:

Neuroscience says: Where our brains are functional to seek novelty and purpose on their own, during summer break, the buds often lean into adding the activities to their routine which are unpredictable, quick, and rewarding referring back to instant gratification, these activities may include social media, gaming, and chatting anonymously and grateful to internet and inventions, there are plethora of platforms enabling students to be distracted. And then joining back the school with a gradual drip of delayed academic rewards may seem to be a let-down for students.

Actionable tip: We as facilitators have to be the mystery-solvers channeling their energy into productivity, enlightening them with real-world challenges, interdisciplinary projects, or a mystery to solve that taps into their intrinsic curiosity. Novelty may allow us to reset their attention-even primitive changes in surrounding like rearranged desks, learning outdoors, and using the BALA method to utilize infrastructure, can signal a shift in engagement and productivity.

2. Design for Autonomy and Flow

Neuroscience says:

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Neuroscience tells us that motivation really flourishes when students feel they have some control over their learning. The brain’s reward system kicks in when choices are part of the equation, especially regarding how tasks are structured or what content is covered.

Here’s a practical tip: give students structured choices, like deciding which book to dive into, which problem to tackle first, or how they want to present their findings. A design that promotes flow—complete with clear goals, manageable challenges, and instant feedback—helps keep students in that ideal zone, avoiding both boredom and anxiety.

3. Rebuild Social Motivation Through Spaces That Connect

Neuroscience tells us that connecting with peers is a huge motivator, especially after the pandemic. Our brains are wired for social interaction, which plays a key role in how we learn and engage emotionally.

Actionable tip: Create flexible seating arrangements or common areas that encourage group work and casual collaboration. Try incorporating daily activities like “curiosity circles” or peer-led problem-solving sessions to foster a sense of belonging and shared learning objectives.

4. Leverage Routines to Rewire Attention

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Neuroscience shows that our habits influence our attention. After a summer of scattered focus, students thrive on rhythmic and consistent routines that help retrain their executive functions.

Actionable tip: Kick off classes with familiar “mind-on” rituals — whether it’s a thought-provoking question, a brief reflection, or a quiet sketch — to help anchor their attention. Consistency breeds comfort, and that comfort boosts confidence.

5. Make Joy a Design Priority

Neuroscience indicates that positive emotions can enhance learning by boosting neuroplasticity. When students (and teachers) experience joy, they’re more likely to engage deeply and retain what they learn.

Actionable tip: Infuse joyful moments into the day — through fun challenges, movement breaks, or a bit of humor. Allow time for students to share what excites them. A joyful classroom isn’t just a nicer place to be; it’s also more effective for learning.

Conclusion: To capture wandering minds, we need to understand how motivation truly works and design both our curriculum and learning spaces to support it. When we ignite curiosity, honor autonomy, and weave joy into the experience, even the sleepiest summer brain can come alive again.

 

This article is written by:

Renu Sharma
Assistant Director – Systems – Indirapuram Group of Schools
Principal – Indirapuram Public School – Crossings Republik

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Education

From Academics to Empathy: Redefining Academic Success

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This image is generated using AI

As the world of education evolves, so must our approach to learning. This article explores how empathy, emotional intelligence, and inclusive values must take center stage in 21st-century education, especially within the Cambridge philosophy.

  1. Moving Beyond Traditional Teaching

The world has shifted from traditional teaching methods to a more humanized approach to imparting knowledge. As educators, we can no longer afford to practice a schooling model that focuses on rote memorisation, academic regurgitation, and a transactional approach to success. The time has come to restructure schools from stressful performance zones to sanctuaries where purpose, empathy, and identity take precedence.

In our ever-evolving world, there is a strong need to overhaul the way education is being imparted. As educators within the Cambridge International community, we understand that now is the time to cultivate learning environments that are havens of purpose, where empathy flourishes, and each student’s unique identity is celebrated.

The Cambridge philosophy, much like India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, encourages us to embrace a well-rounded, interdisciplinary education that instills strong values. This aligns beautifully with global aspirations like the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 4 (Quality Education) and the growing global emphasis on Social and Emotional Learning (SEL). Our aim as a visionary school extends beyond producing high achievers; we are here to nurture thoughtful individuals, proactive learners, and, most importantly, compassionate human beings.

  1. The Role of Purpose and Empathy in Learning

And when we talk about empathy, it isn’t just a desirable trait; it’s a cornerstone of transformative education. It fosters a respectful and inclusive classroom, bridging differences and creating a sense of belonging – a principle deeply embedded in the Cambridge approach. Initiatives from organizations like UNESCO, the OECD, and leading universities worldwide highlight the vital role of empathy in learning. Empathetic students become collaborative team players, ethical decision-makers, and engaged global citizens, embodying the Cambridge Learner Attributes.

  1. Cambridge & NEP 2020: A Shared Vision

In today’s intricate world, I believe that intellectual prowess alone is no longer the sole measure of success. It needs to be nurtured alongside – and often complemented by – emotional and social intelligence. The ability to understand and manage one’s own emotions, navigate social situations with sensitivity, and act with kindness are not just “nice-to-haves”; they are essential skills for thriving in the 21st century and are woven into the fabric of the Cambridge curriculum.

  1. How IPS Integrates the Cambridge Curriculum

The Cambridge curriculum at Indirapuram Public School, Indirapuram (IPS) is intentionally integrated both vertically and horizontally. As students get older, scaffolded concepts are built upon and nuanced while we work against a compartmentalized view of truth. Students, daily, engage with a host of interconnected ideas across the curriculum to prepare them for the complexity of discourse beyond the walls of our school. Beyond the traditional curriculum, Cambridge endeavors to socially integrate students across grade levels and foster meaningful relationships with their teachers. 

As the Cambridge curriculum at IPS evolves, we continue to make it even more responsive to the individual needs of our learners, creating a supportive and welcoming atmosphere. Themes such as values, peace, sustainability, and diversity are integrated across subjects, becoming central threads in our teaching rather than isolated topics. From well-being initiatives to environmental projects like Climate Quest, we are helping the students connect academic learning with real-world empathy and action, especially through engaging, experiential learning.

Leadership within a Cambridge school plays a crucial role in setting this tone. Those who guide our schools shape their very essence, influencing the entire learning community. When leaders model empathy, authenticity, and a clear sense of purpose, our schools become more than just educational institutions; they become nurturing environments where humanity thrives.

“Your children are not your children… They come through you but not from you.”

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—Kahlil Gibran

Let us reimagine education—not just as preparation for the future, but as a meaningful and purposeful way of living in the present.

This article is authored by Dr Ashish Mittal
Principal || CBSE & Cambridge Leader
INDIRAPURAM PUBLIC SCHOOL, INDIRAPURAM
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Education

History, Identity, and Pride: Books That Make Sense of Being You

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When classrooms fall short, books can become lifelines for teens exploring queer identities in India. (Representational AI Image)

Every June, rainbow flags go up, corporate logos get a splash of colour, and the words Pride Month fill our timelines. But behind this month-long celebration lies something far deeper — an entire universe of history, identity, and stories that often remain outside the margins of our textbooks, especially here in India.

When we talk about queer histories, most people quickly say: Pride is an American concept. And yes, the Stonewall Riots of 1969 are often marked as the start of the modern LGBTQIA+ rights movement. But to believe that queer identities only exist where the parades happen is both lazy and inaccurate. Because if you look carefully — at temple walls, ancient texts, and folklore — you’ll find that India, too, has always had queer stories. We’ve just failed to write them down as part of our “official” history.

Take Mahabharat — where Shikhandi, a warrior born as a woman but raised as a man, plays a crucial role in Bhishma’s death. Or Brihannala, Arjuna’s year-long identity as a eunuch. Look at Khajuraho or Konark temples — where fluid sexual depictions exist without judgement. Even Mughal records speak softly of same-sex companionship. Yet none of these ever made it to our history chapters. Why? Because of historiography — the selective way in which history gets written, where lived experiences are often filtered through political, cultural or moral lenses. What we’re left with is history that’s comfortable — not always complete.

But while adults debate culture wars, there’s a rising generation of Indian teens who are quietly asking braver questions. More kids today — some as young as 12 or 13 — are exploring their gender identities, sexual orientations, or even just the vocabulary to describe what they feel. And many of them don’t know who to turn to. Some are scared of being mocked by peers. Others fear judgement from family. Teachers, too, often don’t have the training or language to guide them. The result? Stories like Aarvey Malhotra’s — a young boy who couldn’t bear the bullying he faced for his gender expression — remind us how deadly this silence can be.

Arvey Malhotra with his mother Aarti Malhotra

So where can these kids turn? Sometimes, the safest place to meet yourself is inside a book.

Here’s a small, carefully chosen list of books (curated with the help of AI) that may help teens (13+) begin that journey of understanding — about themselves or others:

1. Beyond the Gender Binary by Alok Vaid-Menon

Written by a gender non-conforming writer of Indian origin, this is a short, deeply accessible introduction to gender fluidity.

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2. The Boy & The Bindi by Vivek Shraya (Illustrated by Rajni Perera)

While more suitable for slightly younger kids, this beautifully illustrated book helps children embrace non-conformity and Indian culture together.

3. Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag by Rob Sanders

An excellent way to understand where the modern pride movement began, told through the story of the Pride flag’s creation.

4. Gender Identity: Beyond Pronouns and Bathrooms by Maria Cook

Written for teens, this breaks down gender identity, expression, dysphoria and non-binary identities in simple, compassionate language.

5. The Queer Hindu: A Spiritual Perspective by Devdutt Pattanaik (Selected Essays)

While not strictly a children’s book, certain essays by Pattanaik can open doors for older teens who wish to explore how queerness exists within Indic traditions.

6.Pet by Akwaeke Emezi

A young-adult novel that tackles identity, family, and justice in a tender, imaginative way by a non-binary author.

7. When Aidan Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff

For kids exploring trans experiences, this picture book offers a gentle, positive portrayal of gender transition.

(Book covers- Amazon.in, Goodreads)

So why does Pride matter in schools?

This isn’t about imposing ideologies — it’s about offering answers to kids who are already asking. And if we want fewer kids like Aarvey to feel alone, confused, or ashamed, we need to stop treating gender and sexuality like topics too complicated for them to understand. They’re not. What they need are trusted spaces, the right words, and adults who listen without first judging.

After all, education was always meant to make us more human — and queerness, in all its forms, is part of that humanity.

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Edutainment

Of Formulas and Frames: Why India Must Stop Dividing Science and Art

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India’s Innovation Dilemma: Why Separating Science and Arts Is Holding Us Back (representational AI image)

In a recent interview with Lallantop, Varun Grover—acclaimed writer, lyricist, comedian, and filmmaker—hit upon a truth so striking, it should’ve been plastered across school walls: India has lost its plot in nurturing innovators. And the reason? We’ve boxed our subjects—and our students—into separate lanes. Science on one side, art on the other. One wears lab coats, the other paints canvases. They rarely, if ever, meet.

Grover put it sharply: in India, we’ve created a caste-like hierarchy between subjects. Science students often carry the burden of “doing real work,” while arts students claim the higher ground of exploring life and meaning. The result? A deep-rooted disconnect. And it begins early—often in Class 11, when students are forced to pick a stream and silently abandon the rest of their interests.

But must a physicist give up poetry? Must a musician ignore algorithms?

It doesn’t have to be this way. At MIT, one of the world’s top science and tech universities, PhD students in Physics can take courses in music, design, or history—and earn credits for them. Why? Because innovation thrives where disciplines intersect. Because understanding how a flute works can teach you more about frequencies than a textbook diagram ever will.

Consider Steve Jobs, who credited a college calligraphy class for inspiring the Mac’s typography. Or Indian innovator Sonam Wangchuk, whose work in Ladakh seamlessly blends engineering with local art, architecture, and sustainability. His Himalayan Institute of Alternatives (HIAL) teaches future engineers and designers side-by-side, breaking the very silos our system has normalised.

Even Nobel laureate Richard Feynman once said, “I have a friend who’s an artist… He’ll hold up a flower and say, ‘Look how beautiful it is,’ and I’ll agree. But I can also see beauty in how the flower works—its structure, its physics. Science only adds to the beauty.”

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And yet, in India, we continue to teach these as separate things. We train students to clear tests, not to create. We push them into IIT-JEE coaching at 13 and expect them to build world-changing ideas at 25.

This isn’t just an academic issue—it’s cultural. Our textbooks rarely reference architecture as both engineering and aesthetic legacy. Our school plays and science exhibitions are held in different corners of the building. Our awards are either for “Best Innovation” or “Best Performance”—never both.

The irony is painful. A land of classical music rooted in maths. A civilisation that built temples with astronomical precision. A country that once integrated dance, sculpture, and geometry with everyday life. And yet, we’ve chosen to modernise by compartmentalising.

It’s time we remember what Varun Grover reminded us of: the pyramid is both an engineering feat and an artistic marvel. And so is the human mind.

Let’s build an education system that stops asking children to choose between knowing and feeling, between numbers and narratives.

Let’s stop making them pick a lane—when the real magic happens at the crossroads.

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Education

World Environment Day: Why Your School’s Environmental Education Needs a Cleanup

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Image Source- Envato Elements

It’s June 5. There’s a poster-making competition happening in the library. “Say No to Plastic,” one child writes, her glitter pen catching the sunlight. In the background, a teacher sips from a plastic bottle of mineral water. On the ground — a single dustbin, filled with half-eaten sandwiches, the plastic wrappers they came in, and the poster that didn’t win.

Welcome to World Environment Day. The annual ritual of colouring inside the lines of climate awareness, only to throw the sketch away at 3:00 p.m.

And nowhere is this performance of eco-consciousness more apparent than in the average Environmental Studies (EVS) class. A subject that, in theory, is about the environment. In practice, it is about completing the syllabus before the assessments begin.

EVS is full of the right words: sustainability, waste segregation, reduce-reuse-recycle. It teaches children the parts of a plant, but not how to grow one. It tells them about carbon footprints, but not about the quiet pride of switching off a fan when they leave a room.

It is, in short, a subject that ends at the bell.

Let’s pause and ask: how many schools actually segregate their waste? How many have separate bins for wet and dry garbage — not just during inspection week or annual day, but on a random Tuesday in August?

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Most schools don’t have a waste problem. They have a waste denial problem.

Because admitting there’s a problem would mean someone has to do something about it. And doing something is messy. It requires time, training, tantrums. It requires telling people they can’t use fifteen thermocol plates for a two-hour workshop. It requires building a system where children see that the habits they are being asked to adopt are not just lesson objectives, but lifestyle choices being modelled by the adults around them.

Right now, most EVS classes are like that school function where the Chief Guest arrives in a diesel SUV to plant a sapling. Ceremonial. Shallow. Slightly offensive.

But here’s the good news: children get it. Better than we think. They’re not too young to understand why the cafeteria needs to stop using plastic spoons. They don’t need a unit on climate change to know that the AC doesn’t have to be set to freezing for learning to happen.

They just need one thing: to see the grown-ups walking the talk.

Start small. Set up separate bins — label them, colour-code them, talk about them. Let kids bring waste from home and run a sorting drive. Make a habit of auditing your school’s paper usage. Assign class monitors for turning off switches. Let kids design posters that don’t end up in the bin — or better yet, design the bins themselves.

And while you’re at it, stop calling it an EVS period.

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Call it the lab of life.

 

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If you really want children to learn how to care for the world, don’t just teach them the names of forests. Teach them how to keep their classrooms clean. Don’t just mention Greta Thunberg in a chapter. Ask what they would skip school for. Don’t say “reduce-reuse-recycle” like it’s a rhyme. Say it like it’s a revolution.

And show them the bin.

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Education

Curriculum Controversy at Delhi University: Academic Voices Clash Over Syllabus Overhaul

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Delhi University’s syllabus changes spark backlash over academic freedom by the faculty

Delhi University’s Executive Council (EC) has approved sweeping curriculum revisions that have sparked sharp protests from faculty members, igniting a fresh debate over academic freedom, ideological influence, and the future of higher education in India. The changes, ratified during the EC’s 1,275th meeting, affect multiple departments including Psychology, Sociology, and English, and introduce new programmes in journalism and nuclear medicine.

Among the most contentious shifts is the removal of conflict-based case studies from the Psychology of Peace paper. Case references to Kashmir, Palestine, India-Pakistan relations, and the Northeast have been replaced with conflict-resolution examples drawn from Indian epics like the Mahabharata and Bhagavad Gita. Similarly, a Sociology paper has dropped foundational thinkers like Karl Marx and Thomas Robert Malthus, along with key sections such as the Sociology of Food and the critical lens on the Sociology of Law.

Faculty members are sounding the alarm. As per a story in Business Standard, EC member and Associate Professor at Kirori Mal College, Rudrashish Chakraborty, called the changes “a complete disregard for disciplinary expertise” and warned they could severely damage DU’s global academic standing.

At the heart of the backlash is a deeper concern about ideological overreach in curriculum design. Critics say the move replaces rigorous, research-based frameworks with selectively religious narratives, undermining the pluralism that once defined Indian academia.

Why These Topics Were in the Curriculum in the First Place

Incorporating geopolitical issues like Kashmir and Palestine in social science syllabi wasn’t about courting controversy—it was about helping students understand conflict, diplomacy, and peace-building through lived realities. Scholars like Marx and Malthus, often labelled as ideologues, contributed frameworks that shaped global discourse on inequality, population, labour, and social justice. To erase them from academic memory is not just selective—it’s intellectually dishonest.

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Their inclusion wasn’t about promoting one ideology over another but about exposing students to a spectrum of thought. If academic institutions stop encouraging intellectual plurality, they risk becoming echo chambers that simply mirror prevailing politics.

What Could Have Been Done Differently

If the aim was truly to Indianise or decolonise the curriculum—as has been cited in many recent reforms—it could have been done with scholarly rigour. Including Indian thinkers alongside global ones, offering critical engagement rather than replacement, and developing interdisciplinary modules that draw on Indian social realities would have strengthened rather than diluted the curriculum.

A meaningful curriculum reform should be inclusive, consultative, and pedagogically sound. Instead, these changes appear abrupt and top-down, with several faculty members alleging they were not adequately consulted. As one member remarked, “Modernisation cannot come at the cost of academic autonomy.”

The counter to a whitewashed curriculum should not be to do the exact opposite. Figures like Karl Marx are not just ideologists; their legacies extend beyond nation-states. They presented global ideas that remain relevant to Indian society, especially in an age grappling with inequality and labour rights.

And religion—while an important part of many societies—must never dominate education policy. When one faith is elevated in academic materials meant for students of all backgrounds, it chips away at the secular fabric of our democracy.

Replacing complex geopolitical issues with religious scripture is not only pedagogically flawed—it’s, frankly, a dangerous precedent.

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New Programmes and Policy Decisions

Beyond the curriculum overhaul, DU has also announced the launch of a two-year M.A. in Journalism in both Hindi and English, and a BSc in Nuclear Medicine Technology, to be offered at the Army Hospital (R&R) for Armed Forces Medical Services personnel. The EC also introduced a new policy for determining teacher seniority, with age taking precedence over API scores when qualifications are equal.

A committee has been constituted to assess the implications of a DoPT circular mandating periodic review of employees aged 50 and above—raising concerns about forced retirement policies within the university system.

As the NEP rollout moves ahead, universities like DU need to walk the path wisely. Reforms should fuel learning, not push a story. Education isn’t meant to box students into ideologies—it’s meant to open minds, spark debate, and shape citizens who can think for themselves. Our classrooms should dig deeper, not go narrow. We can’t afford to swap knowledge for one-sided thinking.

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