Page 14 - Jairaj Thacker & Sujay Jairaj

Eduleader

bytes

JAIRAJ THACKER

Since your appointment as managing trustee of NMET in 1998, what are the major In 2015 after a gap of 30 years NMET promoted the Jamnabai Narsee International
initiatives/innovations introduced in the trust’s schools? School and JNS, Gandhinagar...
Some important initiatives are upgradation of professional development programmes After three decades of shepherding and developing JNS into one of Mumbai’s most
for teachers, promotion of a culture of accountability and leadership, introduction of respected schools, I felt the time was ripe to replicate this model in western India. This
the NIOS curriculum, launching a Life Enrichment Centre, introduction of the IB and prompted the NMET trustees to establish JNS, Gandhinagar (Gujarat). JNIS, on the other
Cambridge International curriculums and the EUMIND (Europe Meets India) students hand, was promoted to meet the spiraling demand for international K-12 certification
exchange programme. from Mumbai’s upwardly mobile middle class.

What are the differentiating common characteristics of NMET schools? Your favourite book on education.
Our emphasis on values education and character development. Although, we are I rely on a wide collection of quotations and biographies of spiritually evolved individ-
determined to prepare modern-minded students for the newly emerged globalised uals to provide me strength and wisdom.
world, we haven’t lost sight of India’s traditional cultural values.
Pessimistic or optimistic about the future of education in India?
Thinker/philosopher you admire the most. India hosts the world’s largest population of children in the 0-14 years age group. I
Sadhguru Jaggi Vasudev. His yogic thinking is a constant reminder on how to live a am optimistic that provided good quality education they can transform India into a
simple, balanced life. socio-economic superpower of the 21st century.