Every Child Brings Hope: Dr. Neha Sharma

Dr. Neha Sharma, Principal at GD Goenka Public School in Ghaziabad, reflects on her journey in education, emphasizing the enduring impact of children's optimism in an interview with Education Post's Prabhav Anand. 

Q. Please share a personal anecdote or experience that has significantly shaped your approach to education and leadership.

I find schools to be the havens of hope. Rabindranath Tagore rightly said: "Every child comes with the message that God is not yet discouraged by man." I left my secure government Job as Deputy Secretary at CBSE to be back in school as after almost 6+ years of my job I was sure that I have to be back in the school domain and be with my students. I feel at times that I was born to be a teacher. I still remember almost 18-19 years back in 2004; one morning, I was accompanying my then school principal on school rounds. It was morning time, and the school assembly was about to start. The children were chirping and were joyfully rushing towards the assembly grounds. Watching their happy faces, I abruptly said to him, "Sir, however hard my day is, but when I see these lovely innocent faces of children, I feel life is good." He disapprovingly said, "Neha you have just started your career, this feeling won't remain the same some years hence." To which I said, "Sir! No, I don't think this feeling will ever change". And yes, it is still alive after almost 23 years as a teacher and now as the Principal. The feeling that yes, I can make a difference inspired me to become a teacher, and it still keeps me going!

Q. With the implementation of the National Education Policy 2020, how do you foresee adapting the curriculum and educational practices to align with the policy's vision of holistic development and skill enhancement?

The implementation of the National Education Policy 2020 will require schools to adapt their curriculum and educational practices significantly. By focusing on holistic development, skill enhancement, and quality education for all, schools can ensure that they are preparing students for the challenges of the 21st century. Schools will need to revise their curriculum to align with the new guidelines provided by the NEP 2020. The policy emphasizes a flexible, multidisciplinary curriculum that promotes critical thinking, creativity, and a deep understanding of concepts. This may involve agreeing to offer subject choices to students with ‘No hard separation’ of curricular domains, restructuring subjects, integrating vocational education, and including new-age skills such as coding, data analytics, and digital literacy. The NEP 2020 encourages experiential learning and hands-on activities to promote a deeper understanding of concepts. Schools will need to incorporate more project-based learning, internships, and practical experiences into their curriculum. Schools will need to integrate technology into their teaching practices and infrastructure to enhance learning outcomes and access to education. As the policy strongly recommends moving away from rote memorization and high-stakes examinations towards a more holistic assessment system that evaluates students' overall development, schools will need to develop new assessment methods, such as portfolios, presentations, and peer/self evaluations, to align with these guidelines. Most importantly schools will need to invest in the professional development of teachers to equip them with the necessary skills and knowledge to implement the new curriculum and educational practices effectively. This may involve training in new teaching methodologies, technology integration, and understanding of child psychology and development.

Q. In today's digital age, technology is playing an increasingly vital role in education. How has technology been leveraged to enhance teaching methodologies and enrich the learning experience for students?
Indeed, technology is being leveraged to enhance teaching methodologies and enrich the learning experience for students in numerous ways. Most of the progressive new-age schools use online learning platforms and digital content to provide students with access to a vast array of educational resources, allowing for more personalized and flexible learning experiences. As for me, personal favourite has been the flipped classroom model. Enriched with good quality and relevant content it enables students to learn at their own pace and the teacher can engage them in more interactive activities during class time. Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) technologies are new kids in the school technology block. They offer immersive learning experiences, allowing students to explore complex concepts in a more engaging manner. Gamification has also made learning more enjoyable, with educational games and apps helping students retain information better. Furthermore, collaborative tools facilitate teamwork and communication skills, while adaptive learning platforms personalize learning based on students' progress. Assessment tools have also become more efficient, enabling teachers to evaluate students' understanding and provide timely feedback. Overall, technology has transformed education by offering innovative ways to enhance teaching methodologies and create more engaging and inclusive learning environments.

Q. From your perspective, what are some of the prevalent social issues or challenges that students in Ghaziabad face, and how do you support them in overcoming these obstacles?

Ghaziabad is a part of the National Capital Region of Delhi. It is sometimes referred to as the "Gateway of Uttar Pradesh" because it is close to New Delhi, on the main route into Uttar Pradesh. Some prevalent social issues or challenges that students in Ghaziabad face include disparity in access to quality education, mental health issues, peer pressure, and substance abuse. There are some schools with great infrastructure and facilities but not enough to cater to this densely populated city. To support students in overcoming the obstacles related to mental health issues, peer pressure, and substance abuse, my school implements various measures. We provide access to quality education through innovative teaching methodologies and resources that help students excel academically. Besides this we offer in campus counselling services and regular workshops to address mental health issues and provide students with coping strategies. Students have access to full time Health and Well-being counsellor as well as special educator in-case there is any learning disability. Educating students about the dangers of peer pressure and substance abuse through awareness programs and workshops also helps us address these problems. Additionally, we strive to create a supportive and inclusive school environment where students feel safe and valued. Today more than ever, it is becoming clear that education is so much more than the Four Rs – reading, writing, arithmetic, reasoning. Every true educator would wish for children to be resilient, to be passionate, ready to take risks, problem-solve and think critically, look at things differently, work independently and with others, care and want to give back to their community, persevere, have integrity, self-respect, and enjoy their life and work. The fundamental goals of education today are to equip a child with the life skills essential to meet the challenges of everyday life. I feel confident that we are able to provide in our school an environment that is conducive to growth and development of a child. It is a happy school that puts children first! Don’t we need every school to be like this?

Q. Beyond academic achievements, what unique initiatives or programs are offered to foster the overall growth and well-being of students?

I meet and connect with hundreds of children on an everyday basis. Some are happy, some are not, some are smiling, some are brooding; they want to share their struggles, smiles and dreams but are not sure with whom. I have always been a teacher who, instead of teaching subject, preferred connecting with children. It was always nice to be able to lend an ear to them, guide them counsel them. I thought of increasing the reach to be that trusted adult who is always there and YANA was born. YANA is an acronym for You Are Not Alone. There is a dedicated email id and WhatsApp number through which any child can contact the school counsellor or me. They can report to us any of the issues faced by them, share their concerns and also get their queries answered. My promise to them is I will provide them with an unbiased solution without being judgemental. In my school, this has helped me to create an environment of safety and security. As Educationists, we need to connect with children, understand them, support them without being biased or loading on them our baggage. It is our moral obligation to make the students learn to manage and handle life’s big and small challenges effectively and not succumb to the multi-directional stress in this VUCA world. We know that the world out there is full of issues and crises! We don't have to prepare them to live in this dysfunctional world, where value systems have distorted, where exposure to negative influences has become a norm, instead prepare them so that they can make this place normal, better, more liveable! This can happen only when schools' environment is of trust, love, respect, compassion and empathy! I know it is a tall order, but as schools, it is our responsibility to prepare children to heal the world that our generation has messed up - emotionally, environmentally, mentally and spiritually!