Education
The lunacy and the uniqueness of English is what piques our interest to keep learning this language!
The English language is a little daunting to learn for people who are learning it for the first time. You can be sure even in a lifetime it would be pretty impossible to learn all of its intricacies. But the lunacy and the uniqueness of it is what piques our interest to keep learning this language.
We should be grateful that we have been introduced to the English language from an early age. One of the most widely spoken languages in the world is a bit of a muddle, from the pronunciations, accents, word meanings and their spellings. Once the basics are in place then it’s a breeze to comprehend this language. Well almost. Most middle class families in India want their kids to be educated in an English medium school, so they have the liberty and ease to explore the world at a later time and date without having too much of a constraint on language, as most of the world knows the language English and even if they don’t know it fluently a fair amount of knowledge is present.
HISTORY OF ENGLISH
English was first brought to Britain in the mid-5th and 7th centuries AD with the arrival of three Germanic tribes who invaded Britain. The Tribes being The Angles, The Saxons and the Jutes. Before this invasion, Britain spoke a Celtic language. The Angles came from “Englaland” and their language was called “Englisc”, and it is from this that the words “England” and “English” were derived.
Old English
Old English doesn’t sound like the language we speak today. Even their alphabet was different. But the most common words used in modern English have roots from the language of this era. For eg. Words like be, strong and water were derived from old English. This dialect was spoken from 400 AD till about 1100 AD.
Middle English
The Duke of Normandy, William the Conqueror in 1066 invaded and conquered England. With them ruling Britain they brought in a type of French that became the language of the Royal Court, the ruling and the business classes. There was a language barrier during this time where the lower classes spoke English and the upper classes spoke French. By the 14th century English became dominant in Britain again but with the addition of many French words. This dialect came to be known as Middle English. It was the language of the great poet Chaucer. It remained present from 1100 AD to 1500 AD.
Early Modern English
By the end of the era of Middle English there was a change in pronunciation. From 1500 AD – 1800 AD the Early Modern English came into being as the British had connections with people from all over the World. Vowels were pronounced shorter and shorter. This meant that many new words and phrases entered the language. And with the invention of printing there came about a standard for spelling and grammar. Hence the first dictionary was printed in the year 1604. This English existed from 1500- 1800 AD.
Late Modern English
Since the British Empire at its height covered one quarter of the earth’s surface, the English embraced foreign words from many countries into its own. The late Modern English has many more words due to the Industrial Revolution and the emergence of technology for which new words were created. This was spoken from the 1800’s to present.
When we study a language, say our mother tongue we find it extremely simple. That’s because we have learnt it growing up and is wired in our brains. Learning a new language takes getting used to. English is such a vast language which is complex due to the use of certain words, phrases and their spellings used in different contexts.
Some interesting examples of the language complexities are:
There are Homonyms, same sounding words with different meanings and spellings eg: rise and rice. Synonyms a substitute word for another word, eg: shut and close have the same meanings. Antonyms are opposites of the word, eg: the opposite of tall is short. These are just a few. We also have the different tenses, singular and plural, masculine and feminine, etc.
If you have a rough cough, climbing can be tough when going through the bough on a tree!
And did you know that there is no ham in hamburger and no egg in eggplant (brinjal) or that English muffins were not invented in England, or the French fry was not invented in France.
Then there are paradoxes, where we say that quicksand works slowly and the guinea pig is not from a guinea or from a pig. A boxing ring is square then why is it called a ring? Have you heard that noses run when you have a cold and that your feet can stink?
Did you ever have a feeling that the English language was out to test you or get you? It makes us rack our brains to be sure that we don’t make errors in the usage of words and their spellings. Why are there same sounding words in the first place? Why can’t different words have different spellings? Why do some words have letters in them that are not even used when pronouncing it?
Their, there and they’re three words with the same pronunciation but different usage. Where, were and wear again the same thing. Boggles your mind every time doesn’t it? No matter how well versed we are with the language all of us at some point or the other have committed the error of using these words in our sentences.
Don’t get me started on the words that use silent letters of the English alphabet. I’m sure that you’ll are also asking the same question “If it’s silent then why is it there?” The history of the English language says that it used to be phonemic (yup, that’s right got to learn a new word). Meaning the words looked and sounded the same. Over time pronunciation changed and since the words were already preserved by the printing press some of the letters became silent.
Only 40% of modern day English is phonemic! Words like write, knee, wrist, psychology, daughter, half, all have silent letters. You might dread spelling, but it becomes very important in learning this language. What if you wanted to look up the word knowledge in the dictionary and you didn’t know the spelling. You’d probably look under the letter ‘N’.
Silent letters are not there to confuse us, even though we think so. There are certain rules that explain which letters are supposed to be silent, before and after certain letters. Once we start practising these rules it’ll become easier to remember how the words need to be pronounced and will undoubtedly improve our speaking, spelling and writing skills.
Learning the origins of words known as ‘Etymology’ is also very interesting. It is very fascinating as it provides the history of the words.
There is a magic ‘e’ in words. If you add an ‘e’ at the end of words with short vowel sounds, it elongates the sound of the vowels, eg: tap/tape, con/cone, mat/mate and fin/fine. Pretty cool right?
Try reading aloud the poem by Gerard Nolst Trenité – The Chaos (1922)
Dearest creature in creation
Studying English pronunciation,
I will teach you in my verse
Sounds like corpse, corps, horse and worse.
I will keep you, Susy, busy,
Make your head with heat grow dizzy;
Tear in eye, your dress you'll tear;
Queer, fair seer, hear my prayer.
Pray, console your loving poet,
Make my coat look new, dear, sew it!
Just compare heart, hear and heard,
Dies and diet, lord and word.
Sword and sward, retain and Britain
(Mind the latter how it's written).
Made has not the sound of bade,
Say-said, pay-paid, laid but plaid.
Now I surely will not plague you
With such words as vague and ague,
But be careful how you speak,
Say: gush, bush, steak, streak, break, bleak ,
Previous, precious, fuchsia, via
Recipe, pipe, studding-sail, choir;
Woven, oven, how and low,
Script, receipt, shoe, poem, toe.
Say, expecting fraud and trickery:
Daughter, laughter and Terpsichore,
Branch, ranch, measles, topsails, aisles,
Missiles, similes, reviles.
Wholly, holly, signal, signing,
Same, examining, but mining,
Scholar, vicar, and cigar,
Solar, mica, war and far.
From "desire": desirable-admirable from "admire",
Lumber, plumber, bier, but brier,
Topsham, brougham, renown, but known,
Knowledge, done, lone, gone, none, tone,
One, anemone, Balmoral,
Kitchen, lichen, laundry, laurel.
Gertrude, German, wind and wind,
Beau, kind, kindred, queue, mankind,
Tortoise, turquoise, chamois-leather,
Reading, Reading, heathen, heather.
This phonetic labyrinth
Gives moss, gross, brook, brooch, ninth, plinth.
Have you ever yet endeavoured
To pronounce revered and severed,
Demon, lemon, ghoul, foul, soul,
Peter, petrol and patrol?
Billet does not end like ballet;
Bouquet, wallet, mallet, chalet.
Blood and flood are not like food,
Nor is mould like should and would.
Banquet is not nearly parquet,
Which exactly rhymes with khaki.
Discount, viscount, load and broad,
Toward, to forward, to reward,
Ricocheted and crocheting, croquet?
Right! Your pronunciation's OK.
Rounded, wounded, grieve and sieve,
Friend and fiend, alive and live.
Is your r correct in higher?
Keats asserts it rhymes Thalia.
Hugh, but hug, and hood, but hoot,
Buoyant, minute, but minute.
Say abscission with precision,
Now: position and transition;
Would it tally with my rhyme
If I mentioned paradigm?
Twopence, threepence, tease are easy,
But cease, crease, grease and greasy?
Cornice, nice, valise, revise,
Rabies, but lullabies.
Of such puzzling words as nauseous,
Rhyming well with cautious, tortious,
You'll envelop lists, I hope,
In a linen envelope.
Would you like some more? You'll have it!
Affidavit, David, davit.
To abjure, to perjure. Sheik
Does not sound like Czech but ache.
Liberty, library, heave and heaven,
Rachel, loch, moustache, eleven.
We say hallowed, but allowed,
People, leopard, towed but vowed.
Mark the difference, moreover,
Between mover, plover, Dover.
Leeches, breeches, wise, precise,
Chalice, but police and lice,
Camel, constable, unstable,
Principle, disciple, label.
Petal, penal, and canal,
Wait, surmise, plait, promise, pal,
Suit, suite, ruin. Circuit, conduit
Rhyme with "shirk it" and "beyond it",
But it is not hard to tell
Why it's pall, mall, but Pall Mall.
Muscle, muscular, gaol, iron,
Timber, climber, bullion, lion,
Worm and storm, chaise, chaos, chair,
Senator, spectator, mayor,
Ivy, privy, famous; clamour
Has the a of drachm and hammer.
Pussy, hussy and possess,
Desert, but desert, address.
Golf, wolf, countenance, lieutenants
Hoist in lieu of flags left pennants.
Courier, courtier, tomb, bomb, comb,
Cow, but Cowper, some and home.
"Solder, soldier! Blood is thicker",
Quoth he, "than liqueur or liquor",
Making, it is sad but true,
In bravado, much ado.
Stranger does not rhyme with anger,
Neither does devour with clangour.
Pilot, pivot, gaunt, but aunt,
Font, front, wont, want, grand and grant.
Arsenic, specific, scenic,
Relic, rhetoric, hygienic.
Gooseberry, goose, and close, but close,
Paradise, rise, rose, and dose.
Say inveigh, neigh, but inveigle,
Make the latter rhyme with eagle.
Mind! Meandering but mean,
Valentine and magazine.
And I bet you, dear, a penny,
You say mani-(fold) like many,
Which is wrong. Say rapier, pier,
Tier (one who ties), but tier.
Arch, archangel; pray, does erring
Rhyme with herring or with stirring?
Prison, bison, treasure trove,
Treason, hover, cover, cove,
Perseverance, severance. Ribald
Rhymes (but piebald doesn't) with nibbled.
Phaeton, paean, gnat, ghat, gnaw,
Lien, psychic, shone, bone, pshaw.
Don't be down, my own, but rough it,
And distinguish buffet, buffet;
Brood, stood, roof, rook, school, wool, boon,
Worcester, Boleyn, to impugn.
Say in sounds correct and sterling
Hearse, hear, hearken, year and yearling.
Evil, devil, mezzotint,
Mind the z! (A gentle hint.)
Now you need not pay attention
To such sounds as I don't mention,
Sounds like pores, pause, pours and paws,
Rhyming with the pronoun yours;
Nor are proper names included,
Though I often heard, as you did,
Funny rhymes to unicorn,
Yes, you know them, Vaughan and Strachan.
No, my maiden, coy and comely,
I don't want to speak of Cholmondeley.
No. Yet Froude compared with proud
Is no better than McLeod.
But mind trivial and vial,
Tripod, menial, denial,
Troll and trolley, realm and ream,
Schedule, mischief, schism, and scheme.
Argil, gill, Argyll, gill. Surely
May be made to rhyme with Raleigh,
But you're not supposed to say
Piquet rhymes with sobriquet.
Had this invalid invalid
Worthless documents? How pallid,
How uncouth he, couchant, looked,
When for Portsmouth I had booked!
Zeus, Thebes, Thales, Aphrodite,
Paramour, enamoured, flighty,
Episodes, antipodes,
Acquiesce, and obsequies.
Please don't monkey with the geyser,
Don't peel 'taters with my razor,
Rather say in accents pure:
Nature, stature and mature.
Pious, impious, limb, climb, glumly,
Worsted, worsted, crumbly, dumbly,
Conquer, conquest, vase, phase, fan,
Wan, sedan and artisan.
The th will surely trouble you
More than r, ch or w.
Say then these phonetic gems:
Thomas, thyme, Theresa, Thames.
Thompson, Chatham, Waltham, Streatham,
There are more but I forget 'em-
Wait! I've got it: Anthony,
Lighten your anxiety.
The archaic word albeit
Does not rhyme with eight-you see it;
With and forthwith, one has voice,
One has not, you make your choice.
Shoes, goes, does *. Now first say: finger;
Then say: singer, ginger, linger.
Real, zeal, mauve, gauze and gauge,
Marriage, foliage, mirage, age,
Hero, heron, query, very,
Parry, tarry fury, bury,
Dost, lost, post, and doth, cloth, loth,
Job, Job, blossom, bosom, oath.
Faugh, oppugnant, keen oppugners,
Bowing, bowing, banjo-tuners
Holm you know, but noes, canoes,
Puisne, truism, use, to use?
Though the difference seems little,
We say actual, but victual,
Seat, sweat, chaste, caste, Leigh, eight, height,
Put, nut, granite, and unite.
Reefer does not rhyme with deafer,
Feoffer does, and zephyr, heifer.
Dull, bull, Geoffrey, George, ate, late,
Hint, pint, senate, but sedate.
Gaelic, Arabic, pacific,
Science, conscience, scientific;
Tour, but our, dour, succour, four,
Gas, alas, and Arkansas.
Say manoeuvre, yacht and vomit,
Next omit, which differs from it
Bona fide, alibi
Gyrate, dowry and awry.
Sea, idea, guinea, area,
Psalm, Maria, but malaria.
Youth, south, southern, cleanse and clean,
Doctrine, turpentine, marine.
Compare alien with Italian,
Dandelion with battalion,
Rally with ally; yea, ye,
Eye, I, ay, aye, whey, key, quay!
Say aver, but ever, fever,
Neither, leisure, skein, receiver.
Never guess-it is not safe,
We say calves, valves, half, but Ralf.
Starry, granary, canary,
Crevice, but device, and eyrie,
Face, but preface, then grimace,
Phlegm, phlegmatic, ass, glass, bass.
Bass, large, target, gin, give, verging,
Ought, oust, joust, and scour, but scourging;
Ear, but earn; and ere and tear
Do not rhyme with here but heir.
Mind the o of off and often
Which may be pronounced as orphan,
With the sound of saw and sauce;
Also soft, lost, cloth and cross.
Pudding, puddle, putting. Putting?
Yes: at golf it rhymes with shutting.
Respite, spite, consent, resent.
Liable, but Parliament.
Seven is right, but so is even,
Hyphen, roughen, nephew, Stephen,
Monkey, donkey, clerk and jerk,
Asp, grasp, wasp, demesne, cork, work.
A of valour, vapid vapour,
S of news (compare newspaper),
G of gibbet, gibbon, gist,
I of antichrist and grist,
Differ like diverse and divers,
Rivers, strivers, shivers, fivers.
Once, but nonce, toll, doll, but roll,
Polish, Polish, poll and poll.
Pronunciation-think of Psyche!-
Is a paling, stout and spiky.
Won't it make you lose your wits
Writing groats and saying "grits"?
It's a dark abyss or tunnel
Strewn with stones like rowlock, gunwale,
Islington, and Isle of Wight,
Housewife, verdict and indict.
Don't you think so, reader, rather,
Saying lather, bather, father?
Finally, which rhymes with enough,
Though, through, bough, cough, hough, sough, tough??
Hiccough has the sound of sup…
My advice is: GIVE IT UP!
Learning the origins of words known as ‘Etymology’ is also very interesting. It is very fascinating as it provides the history of the words.
It’s said that if you can read 90% of this poem’s words correctly, then you can speak this language better than most and will earn you the title of an English pro.
The English language is a little daunting to learn for people who are learning it for the first time. You can be sure even in a lifetime it would be pretty impossible to learn all of its intricacies. But the lunacy and the uniqueness of it is what piques our interest to keep learning this language.
In a progressive step towards comprehensive health education, the Tripura government has announced plans to integrate sex education and HIV/AIDS awareness into its school curriculum, Chief Minister Manik Saha confirmed.
According to officials, the curriculum update aims to equip students with accurate knowledge about sexual health, disease prevention, and safe practices—key factors in curbing the prevalence of HIV/AIDS in the state. With around 5,000 active cases reported by late 2024, including a notable infection rate of 0.33% among adults and over 800 student cases, the move is seen as a timely measure.
The new content will be deployed through age-appropriate lessons, Red Ribbon Club activities, and sensitisation drives led by health and education officials. This initiative builds upon previous efforts, such as school- and college-level awareness programs, the involvement of key stakeholders, and information, education, and communication (IEC) campaigns across rural and urban centers.
Chief Minister Saha emphasised the role of educators and community leaders in delivering accurate information and fostering a supportive environment: “Students from school to college level should be made aware of the dangers of this disease,” he remarked earlier.
The curriculum integration aligns with state-level action under the National AIDS Control Programme (NACP). It resonates with India’s broader public health mandate to move HIV/AIDS education from stigma to mainstream schooling. By addressing misconceptions and promoting prevention early, Tripura hopes to protect its youth and reduce dropout rates among vulnerable groups.
In a proud moment for Indian education, four schools from across the country have been named among the top 10 global finalists in the prestigious World’s Best School Prizes 2024, organised by UK-based T4 Education. These awards honour schools that are pushing the boundaries of innovation, inclusion, and community impact — and this year, India has made its presence felt in four out of five categories.
A Snapshot of India’s Global Finalists
From government to private, rural to urban — the diversity of India’s representation this year is striking.
-
Government Girls Senior Secondary School, NIT 5, Faridabad (Haryana) – Supporting Healthy Lives
A government-run school is redefining what public education can achieve. By interweaving nutrition, mental health, and physical well-being into its core ethos, the school is transforming the lives of at-risk girls, ensuring that no student is left behind. -
Ekya School, JP Nagar, Bengaluru (Karnataka) – Innovation
Recognised for reimagining learning through a design-thinking framework, Ekya encourages student agency, interdisciplinary inquiry, and real-world problem-solving — a blueprint for future-ready schooling. -
ZP School, Jalindar Nagar, near Pune (Maharashtra) – Community Collaboration
A rural government school that has placed local communities at the heart of education. By building trust and ownership at the grassroots, it has created a model of sustainable, community-driven transformation. -
Delhi Public School, Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh) – Environmental Action
Known for its strong environmental initiatives, DPS Varanasi’s students lead from the front — managing waste, conserving energy, and creating a campus-wide culture of sustainability.
These schools are now among 50 global finalists, selected from thousands of applications worldwide. The shortlist highlights institutions not merely chasing academic results but actively shaping well-being, equity, and systemic reform in education.
What Happens Next
All 50 finalist schools are now competing for the Community Choice Award, determined through an open global vote. Winners across each of the five main categories — Supporting Healthy Lives, Environmental Action, Innovation, Community Collaboration, and Overcoming Adversity — will be announced in October 2024.
The celebration will culminate at the World Schools Summit in Abu Dhabi in November, where global education leaders will convene for a high-impact dialogue on best practices and policy influence.
The Broader Picture
Launched in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the World’s Best School Prizes have rapidly emerged as one of the most influential accolades in global education. Powered by T4 Education, a platform that connects over 200,000 educators worldwide, the awards are more than just recognition — they are a launchpad for schools to amplify their voice, scale impact, and drive systems-level change.
For India, the presence of four unique schools among global changemakers is both a celebration and a reminder — that bold ideas, no matter where they are born, can shape the future of learning.
In a significant move aimed at streamlining school assessments and improving learning outcomes, the Ministry of Education has recommended that seven states—Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Kerala, Manipur, Odisha, Telangana, and West Bengal—adopt a common board for Class 10 and 12 examinations.
The recommendation follows a detailed analysis by the Department of School Education, which found that these states accounted for a staggering 66% of student failures across India last academic year. In total, over 22 lakh students failed Class 10, and 20 lakh failed Class 12 nationally in 2024, highlighting persistent challenges in retention and transition to higher education.
“Not having a common board leads to poor academic outcomes,” said School Education Secretary Sanjay Kumar, stressing that standardisation in assessment, curriculum, and evaluation is key to reversing this trend. “A common board is the way forward for ease of schooling,” he added.
India currently has 66 examination boards, including three national-level boards and 63 state-level ones. However, only 33 of these boards cater to 97% of enrolled students. The rest, often covering smaller student populations, contribute disproportionately to inconsistent academic performance.
The report also placed a renewed focus on the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), especially in high-failure states. While NIOS currently has a stronger presence in Delhi, Rajasthan, and Haryana, the ministry wants to see its footprint expand in the recommended states to engage unsuccessful students and prevent dropouts.
However, the report didn’t just stop at structural issues. It shed light on regional and linguistic disparities in student performance. For instance, students taking exams in Odia and Malayalam consistently outperformed peers writing in Kannada, Telugu, and Assamese. Interestingly, Kerala, with its integrated board system, recorded an astounding pass rate of 99.96%. Odisha and Manipur also showed success rates above 97%.
Meanwhile, Navodaya Vidyalayas (NVs) and Kendriya Vidyalayas (KVs) continue to set benchmarks in academic excellence. The report found that 72% of NV students cleared NEET-UG, with strong showings also reported in engineering entrance exams. NVs, which cater primarily to rural talent, seem to be reinforcing the case for equity in access to quality education.
As conversations around NEP 2020 continue to push for holistic, inclusive, and standardised learning, the Centre’s recommendation serves as both a wake-up call and a window of opportunity. With the right reforms, these states could be on the brink of a transformative shift in student success.
Indian institutions continue their upward momentum on the global academic stage, with IIT Delhi emerging as the country’s top-ranked university in the QS World University Rankings 2026, securing the 123rd spot. It is closely followed by IIT Bombay at 129 and IIT Madras at 180, solidifying India’s footprint in the global top 200. However, no Indian university has yet broken into the top 100.
The latest edition of the QS rankings, released by higher education analysts Quacquarelli Symonds, evaluates over 1,500 universities across more than 100 countries. The rankings serve as a barometer of academic excellence, research output, and global relevance.
At the global level, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) retains its crown, scoring a perfect 100. Imperial College London follows in second place (99.4), with Stanford University (98.9), the University of Oxford, and Harvard University rounding out the top five. Institutions from the US and the United Kingdom continue to dominate the upper echelons of the list, though Asia-Pacific universities are making notable gains.
Among the rising performers, Malaysia’s Sunway University recorded the most dramatic leap, climbing 120 places in a single year.
The QS World University Rankings 2026 place increasing emphasis on research impact, global engagement, and sustainability, alongside traditional indicators like academic and employer reputation, faculty-student ratio, and internationalisation.
Despite a vast student population and growing academic ambition, no Indian university has entered the global top 100—a gap that invites reflection. While the steady rise of institutions like IIT Delhi signals progress, it also highlights the need for sustained investment, deeper international collaborations, and a sharper focus on research and innovation. The QS rankings, then, are not just a recognition of how far Indian higher education has come, but also a gentle nudge towards how much further it can go.
The Union Ministry of Education has released the Performance Grading Index for Districts (PGI-D) 2023–24, assessing how states and union territories (UTs) fared across critical school education indicators such as learning outcomes, equity, and infrastructure. The report places Chandigarh at the top, with Delhi and Punjab also emerging as strong performers.
The PGI-D ranks regions across ten performance levels, with Utkarsh being the highest possible grade, awarded to those scoring above 90% of 1,000 total points. However, no state or UT achieved that benchmark this year. Chandigarh was the only unit placed in Prachesta-1, the fifth-highest band, with a score between 701–760 points.
Ten other states and UTs, including Delhi, Punjab, Gujarat, Odisha, Kerala, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Haryana, Goa, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan, were placed in Prachesta-3—the seventh tier on the index—with scores ranging from 581 to 640.
Meanwhile, Meghalaya stood at the bottom of the list with a score of 417.9, becoming the only state placed in the tenth and lowest category. Mid-performing regions included Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karnataka, West Bengal, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Himachal Pradesh.
According to officials, the PGI-D is designed to act as a catalyst for system-level improvements, offering comparative data to support evidence-based decision-making. By standardising assessment across a range of domains, the index aims to help districts identify learning gaps, infrastructural deficits, and policy blind spots.
While the top bands remain elusive, the data offers insights into where systemic support and targeted interventions are needed most.
Facing strong backlash, the Maharashtra government has rolled back its earlier decision to make Hindi compulsory as a third language in Marathi and English-medium schools. A revised resolution issued by the School Education Department now offers students the flexibility to choose any other Indian language in place of Hindi for Classes 1 to 5.
According to the corrigendum aligned with the State Curriculum Framework – School Education 2024, Hindi will be the default third language; however, alternatives are permitted if students prefer them. If at least 20 students in a class opt for a different language, a dedicated teacher will be appointed. For fewer than 20 students, the subject will be delivered via online mode.
The updated directive also reiterates that Marathi remains compulsory in all schools, regardless of the medium of instruction. In non-Marathi and non-English medium schools, the three-language formula will include the school’s medium, Marathi, and English.
The language policy for Classes 6 to 10 will continue under the framework of the State Curriculum Framework (SCF) 2023, which aims to enhance multilingual learning while respecting regional and linguistic diversity.
The revision comes after political and public criticism, including opposition from the Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) and recommendations from the state’s language consultation committee.
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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.”
—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
In a significant initiative fostering international collaboration and scientific curiosity, the Ministry of Education, Government of India, flagged off 20 school students selected to participate in the Sakura Science Programme 2025. The ceremony was led by Shri Sanjay Kumar, Secretary, Department of School Education & Literacy (DoSEL), alongside senior officials, including Smt. Archana Sharma Awasthi, Joint Secretary, and Prof. Prakash Chandra Agrawal, Joint Director, NCERT.
The Sakura Science Programme, initiated by the Japan Science and Technology Agency (JST), aims to promote youth exchange in science across Asia. India joined the initiative in 2016. Since then, over 600 Indian students have experienced Japan’s technological landscape through this unique programme.
This year’s cohort—comprising 7 boys and 13 girls—represents Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas and government schools across remote and diverse regions such as the Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Ladakh, Mizoram, Nagaland, and Tripura. The programme runs from June 15 to 21, 2025, and includes participants from Malaysia, Taiwan, and Ukraine.
Speaking at the event, Shri Sanjay Kumar described the programme as a “golden opportunity to explore a developed nation like Japan,” urging students to fully engage with its potential to inspire innovation and global understanding.
Aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which underscores experiential learning and interdisciplinary exploration, this initiative strengthens India’s vision of holistic, engaging education. Japan—renowned for its technological excellence and rich culture—continues to be a valued partner in shaping the next generation of Indian innovators.
In a renewed push for public health education, the Directorate of Education (DoE), Delhi, has instructed all government and private schools to actively observe June as Anti-Malaria Month, ahead of the monsoon season.
The directive, issued through an official circular on Friday, calls upon heads of government, government-aided, and private unaided recognised schools to implement proactive measures for malaria prevention and awareness. This follows an earlier advisory from April 15 on the control of vector-borne diseases, including dengue and chikungunya.
The circular reiterates the Ministry of Health’s national goal of eliminating malaria by 2030. “June is observed annually as Anti-Malaria Month to raise awareness, promote community participation, and sustain preventive efforts before the onset of monsoon,” the DoE noted.
Schools have been urged to conduct regular inspections to eliminate stagnant water and potential mosquito breeding grounds. The circular recommends that institutions display malaria prevention do’s and don’ts prominently on campus. An annexure with precautionary measures has been provided for this purpose.
The directive further encourages schools to sensitise their staff on the risks and symptoms of vector-borne diseases. It also suggests using social media platforms to disseminate awareness messages, alongside organising health talks and interpersonal communication sessions.
All departments, offices, and educational institutions under the DoE’s purview have been asked to actively participate in the initiative, ensuring a health-conscious start to the academic calendar.
This move underscores the growing role of schools as agents of public health advocacy, empowering students and communities with timely, actionable knowledge.
In a landmark step towards digital equity in education, the Telangana government has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with six leading non-profit organisations to provide state-of-the-art, technology-enabled learning completely free of cost to government schools across the State.
The MoU, formalised in the presence of Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy on Sunday is part of the State’s broader push to ensure inclusive, quality education for underprivileged students. “We are laying the foundation for a knowledge-based future. These partnerships reflect our commitment to ensuring no child is left behind in this digital age,” said the Chief Minister.
The collaborating organisations include EkStep Foundation (led by Nandan Nilekani), Prajwala Foundation (Sunita Krishnan), Physics Wallah (Alakh Pandey), Khan Academy, Pi Jam Foundation (Shoaib Dar), and Educate Girls (Safina Hussain). Each brings a unique offering to the table:
- EkStep will expand its AI-powered multilingual foundational learning platform from 540 to over 5,000 primary schools across all 33 districts.
- Physics Wallah will offer free NEET, JEE, and CLAT coaching to Intermediate-level students.
- Khan Academy will roll out curriculum-aligned STEM video content for Classes 6–10.
- Prajwala Foundation will introduce child safety and protection modules for Classes 6–12.
- Pi Jam Foundation will offer coding and computational thinking courses from Classes 1–10.
- Educate Girls, already active in the State, will continue efforts to boost girl-child enrolment and literacy.
Senior officials, including Government Advisor K. Kesava Rao, Education Secretary Yogita Rana, and School Education Director Narasimha Reddy, were present at the signing, underscoring the administration’s intent to drive systemic change through strategic public–NGO partnerships.
Tripura Adds Sex Education & HIV Awareness to Their Curriculum
Four Indian Schools Shine on the Global Stage at World’s Best School Prizes 2024
Centre Urges 7 States to Consider Common Board Amid Alarming Student Failure Rates
IIT Delhi Leads India in the QS Rankings 2026; MIT Tops Globally
Chandigarh, Punjab Lead in School Education Rankings; Meghalaya Trails Behind
Maharashtra Revises Policy on Third Language in Schools, Hindi No Longer Mandatory
From Academics to Empathy: Redefining Academic Success
India Sends 20 Students to Japan Under Sakura Science Programme 2025
Delhi Schools to Observe June as Anti-Malaria Month, Says DoE
Telangana Govt Ties Up With 6 NGOs to Revolutionise Teaching in Govt Schools
History, Identity, and Pride: Books That Make Sense of Being You
Delhi Government Clears Ordinance to Regulate Private School Fees After Protests
Of Formulas and Frames: Why India Must Stop Dividing Science and Art
43-Day Hunger Strike Ends as Govt Backs Teachers’ Demands
OpenAI Academy Launches in India to Democratise AI Education for Students, Teachers, and Startups
World Environment Day: Why Your School’s Environmental Education Needs a Cleanup
UNESCO Flags Foundational Learning Crisis & Leadership Gaps in India’s Education System
Beyond the Buzz: Investors Call for Grounded AI Innovation in Indian Classrooms
Education Ministry Launches National Drive for Healthier, Safer Schools
Government School Enrolment Drops Across States, Centre Flags ‘Disturbing Trend’
Over 10,000 Unrecognised Schools in Bihar, Jharkhand: Education Ministry Flags Violation of RTE Act
PadhAI Conclave Highlights Urgent Role of Artificial Intelligence in Indian Education
University of Liverpool to Open First International Campus in Bengaluru by 2026
Curriculum Controversy at Delhi University: Academic Voices Clash Over Syllabus Overhaul
CBSE Directs Schools to Map Mother Tongues, Pushes for Multilingual Classrooms in Foundational Years
“Be the Change in a Changing World”: Anita Karwal and Anju Chazot Reflect on NEP 2020
Is Your School Following These Mandatory CBSE Committees?
CBSE’s ‘Sugar Boards’ Initiative: Tackling the Sweet Crisis in Indian Schools
CBSE Warns Dummy School Students May Be Barred from Board Exams
Maharashtra to Regulate Pre-Primary Education with New Law Aligned to NEP 2020
Sunbeam Indiranagar Shines in Academics, Arts, and Sports, Cementing Its Legacy of Holistic Education
China Embarks on Ambitious AI-Driven Education Reform to Build a ‘Strong Education Nation’ by 2035
MAHAJYOTI’s Book Distribution Scheme to Empower 7,000 OBC Students Preparing for JEE/NEET & MHT-CET
Rewriting Ambedkar: Why Students Must Know the Man Beyond the Constitution
‘Baalpan ki Kavita’ Initiative Launched to Restore Indian Rhymes for Young Learners
CBSE Introduces Mandatory Bridge Course for Classes 6 to 12 in Chhattisgarh Under NEP 2020
CBSE Mandates 50-Hour Annual Training for Teachers, Declares STEM as 2025 Theme
India Bids Farewell to NEP Architect Dr K. Kasturirangan
John King’s Book ‘Teacher By Teacher’: A Global Tribute to the Transformative Power of Education
Pradhan Mantri Rashtriya Bal Puraskar 2025: Nominations Now Open for India’s Young Achievers
NCERT Class 7 Textbooks Updated: Mughals Removed, Focus on Indian Ethos and Pilgrimage
Delhi Government Cracks Down on Dummy Schooling; Over 600 Schools Inspected, 10 Issued Notices
IIT Guwahati Developing VR Metaverse for PM SHRI Schools—But is the Metaverse Still the Future?
Delhi Approves Landmark Bill to Regulate School Fees Across 1,677 Institutions
Banu Mushtaq’s International Booker Win Is a Wake-Up Call for Indian Schools to Reclaim Literature
Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE): Sustainable Practices in CBSE Schools
The Ethics of AI Art in Education & Nostalgia: The Ghibli Effect
Operation Sindoor and Operation Abhyaas: Navigating School Safety and Student Well-being Amid Rising Tensions
CBSE Revises Class 10, 12 Curriculum: Biannual Exams, New Subjects and Flexible Passing Criteria Introduced
CUET-UG 2025 Likely to be Postponed, Fresh Dates Expected Soon
SGEF2023 | Special Address by Rama Datt, Trustee, Maharaja Sawai Man Singh II Trust, Jaipur
ScooNews | After Movie | ScooNews Global Educators Fest 2023
Aftermovie | NIES2 UP Chapter | 21 Jan 2023
WEBINAR | Gamification in Education: How Digital Badges Can Boost Student Motivation and Engagement
ScooNews | WEBINAR| Importance of Physical Activity for Children at School | Plaeto
SCOONEWS | WEBINAR | WHY DIGITIZING YOUR SCHOOL IS A MUST | TEACHMINT
Keynote Address | Lakshyaraj Singh Mewar
Anurag Tripathi, Secretary, CBSE at SGEF2022
How schools can nurture every student’s genius
Aftermovie | SGEF2022 | Jaipur
Li Andersson | Minister of Education | Finland
Anurag Tripathi, Secretary, Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) discusses NEP2020
ScooNews | Early Ed Asia 2019 | Aftermovie
#PodarECEconf : Pursuing quality ECE
#CBSE Class XII #Results #Highlights
The interesting story of India’s educational system | Adhitya Iyer
A young scientist’s quest for clean water
The Danger of Silence: Clint Smith
National Digital Library of India is an initiative by HRD Ministry
Remembering Kalpana Chawla on her birthday!
Message from Sadhguru for Students!
Message from Sadhguru for Students!
The Untapped Genius That Could Change Science for the Better
Eddy Zhong: How school makes kids less intelligent TEDxYouth@Beacon
#TEDxCanberra : What if every child had access to music education…
-
Education3 months ago“Be the Change in a Changing World”: Anita Karwal and Anju Chazot Reflect on NEP 2020
-
Education2 months agoIs Your School Following These Mandatory CBSE Committees?
-
Education1 month agoCBSE’s ‘Sugar Boards’ Initiative: Tackling the Sweet Crisis in Indian Schools
-
News3 months ago
CBSE Warns Dummy School Students May Be Barred from Board Exams
-
Education2 months agoMaharashtra to Regulate Pre-Primary Education with New Law Aligned to NEP 2020
-
Education3 months agoSunbeam Indiranagar Shines in Academics, Arts, and Sports, Cementing Its Legacy of Holistic Education
-
Education2 months agoChina Embarks on Ambitious AI-Driven Education Reform to Build a ‘Strong Education Nation’ by 2035
-
Education2 months agoMAHAJYOTI’s Book Distribution Scheme to Empower 7,000 OBC Students Preparing for JEE/NEET & MHT-CET
-
Education2 months agoRewriting Ambedkar: Why Students Must Know the Man Beyond the Constitution
-
Education3 months ago‘Baalpan ki Kavita’ Initiative Launched to Restore Indian Rhymes for Young Learners
