Rana Sangram Singh, the Group School Principal of Seth M. R. Jaipuria Schools in Fatehpur, shares his journey and innovative approaches to education leadership in an interview with Education Post's Prabhav Anand. Singh delves into the importance of cross-sector collaboration, aligning with the National Education Policy 2020, leveraging technology for equitable access, addressing social issues, and promoting student engagement. His strategic vision reflects a commitment to fostering holistic development and academic excellence within the school community.
Q. Please share a personal anecdote or experience that has shaped your approach to education and leadership within the school community?
I believe that school leadership has become a priority in education policy agendas internationally. It plays a key role in improving school outcomes by influencing the motivations and capacities of teachers, as well as the school climate and environment. Effective school leadership is essential to improve the efficiency and equity of schooling.
Talking about sharing my experience that has shaped my approach to education and leadership within the school community is that I initiated the term Cross-sector collaboration, which refers to primary or secondary schools partnering with schools from another sector to deliver shared initiatives, teaching, curriculum, or facilities for students from each school. Cross-sector collaboration enables schools to share knowledge and expertise, address common issues and challenges and realise shared opportunities.
BENEFITS OF CROSS-SECTOR COLLABORATION
There is strong evidence that collaboration between schools can deliver positive gains for students and schools. By working together, the likelihood of achieving improved outcomes for their students is greater than if schools acted alone. Some of the benefits commonly identified by collaborating schools include:
- Improved curriculum provision for students
- Pooled resources
- Knowledge sharing
- Broader community benefits
Q. With the recent rollout of the National Education Policy 2020, how do you plan to integrate its key principles and initiatives into the educational framework of your institution to enhance student learning and development?
National education policy 2020 is a framework that is indicative of revitalizing the education structure; introducing many reforms which ensure high quality, integrity, and equality into the system. For instance, the emphasis would be less on content and more on encouraging the students to think critically and polishing the problem-solving skills.
Pedagogy must be developed in such a way that it is learner-centred, discussion-based, inquiry-driven, flexible, and holistic.
My strategies are as follows to integrate its key principles into the educational framework of my institution to enhance student learning development.
Goal-Directed
Curriculum and educational goals are central to the approach of the framework. Therefore, teaching and learning practices strive towards the fulfillment of learning outcomes.
Educationally Valid
The guidelines and set of standards have been set up based on research, experience, accumulated knowledge, etc.
Engaging And Active Learning
Education should be interesting and exciting for both children and teachers.
Improvement Driving
It must be conducive to introducing and implementing changes within practical constraints and limitations.
Diversity Embracing
The educational practices and materials must address India’s diversity and become a source of learning.
Mutually Reinforcing Elements
All the above-mentioned characteristics and dimensions are mutually reinforcing. Also, the curricular goals, content, pedagogy, school culture and practices, assessments, and evaluation must be mutually reinforcing.
Q. In today's digital era, technology is playing an increasingly vital role in education. How does your school leverage technology to facilitate teaching and learning processes, and what measures are in place to ensure equitable access to digital resources for all students?
By leveraging digital technology, the institution empowers teachers, enriches student learning experiences, and prepares future generations for a digitally driven world.
At Jaipuria we use a variety of advanced technologies to engage students and boost their academic performance while making teaching more fun and immersive. The introduction of interactive displays and smartboards represents the digital technology that can increase the potential of every lesson and ensure better learning outcomes among students.
Advantages of Smart Classes:
- Anytime access to extensive online information
- Interactive environment for better knowledge retention
- Education not confined to printed matter.
- Availability of online notes ensuring better student concentration in class
- Use of electronic tools such as digital pens that are easy to maintain
Educational technology, or edtech, refers to the use of digital tools and resources to enhance teaching and learning. Edtech can offer many benefits for students, such as increasing engagement, personalizing instruction, developing skills, and expanding access to information.
Q. Social issues like bullying, mental health challenges, and student diversity can impact the learning environment. How does your school address these issues to create a supportive and inclusive atmosphere for students?
Being a principal of an organization, I always focus on creating a supportive atmosphere for not only students for other faculty members too. I believe in fostering a safe and inclusive learning environment, balancing academic freedom with social responsibilities and addressing emerging issues and concerns.
Bullying and harassment in schools have long been pervasive issues that can have detrimental effects on students' well-being and their ability to learn. As educators, it is our responsibility to create a safe and inclusive learning environment where all students feel valued and protected.
A crucial step in addressing bullying and harassment is the development and implementation of comprehensive anti-bullying policies. These policies clearly define what constitutes bullying and harassment, outline the consequences for such behaviors, and provide guidelines for reporting and intervention. By having a well-defined anti-bullying policy in place, our schools ensures that all students, staff, and parents are aware of the expectations and consequences, fostering a culture of respect and empathy.
We provide education and awareness programs for both students and staff so that it can help in creating a school community that actively works to prevent such behaviors. We focus on creating an environment where students feel comfortable reporting incidents of bullying and harassment is essential. Creating a positive school culture is the foundation for addressing bullying and harassment effectively. This involves fostering a sense of belonging and inclusivity, promoting empathy and respect, and celebrating diversity.
Q. Lastly, amidst the changing educational landscape, what innovative approaches or programs is your institution implementing to promote student engagement and academic excellence?
We aim to nurture happy and confident children by providing child-centric learning. Our endeavor is to promote creativity, environmental sensitivity and academic excellence. We help inculcate a spirit of lifelong learning, for our children to become effective change agents. Here at our schools, we thrust on the following strategies to promote student engagement and academic excellence:
- Experiential Learning
- Project Based Learning
- Inquiry Learning- Mystery Learning
- Design thinking
- Digital Labs and Simulations
- Toys, games and gamification of learning
- Group work: Using cooperative learning groups effectively
- Mindfulness in the Classroom
- Service Learning & Community Engagement
- Teaching Problem Solving
- Team-Based Learning
- Effective Educational Videos
- Wikis
- Visual Thinking
