Page 46 - EducationWorld March 2023

Cover Story

Ashish Gulati advocating pedagogies that promote
Vice-Chairman, Blue Bells Group of Schools, self-regulated learning to encourage
Gurugram children to also become independent
learners.
shish Gulati is vice-chairman • NEP 2020 has called for the “edu-
of the Blue Bells Group of cation system to be reconfigured”
ASchools comprising five so that all Sustainable Develop-
schools and preschools in Gurugram ment Goals (SDGs) can be achieved
with over 3,700 children and 350 by 2030. Therefore, I am looking
faculty. forward to the national curriculum
• I expect the NCFSE to provide incorporating the SDGs to promote
guidelines to all schools countrywide responsible citizenship within all
to introduce new pedagogies that schoolchildren countrywide. In our
enable active student engagement, schools, we have successfully inte-
experiential learning, critical think- grated the SDGs into curriculums
ing and problem-solving over rote by designing hands-on projects on
learning and knowledge dependency. climate change, energy conservation,
In our Blue Bells schools, we use roadmap to make learning more and sustainable development.
collaborative learning, inquiry-based enjoyable for all children country- • I am also looking forward to the
and flipped learning pedagogies to wide. Teachers have to be advised to NCFSE providing guidelines for
make teaching-learning enjoyable design personalised learning plans all schools to develop skills and
and engaging for children. And the so that children learn and progress at competencies required by higher
results are excellent. We are ready their own pace. education institutions and by indus-
to share these pedagogies with any • In the overwhelming majority of try. For instance, college readiness
school countrywide. India’s 1.5 million schools, teaching- programmes, vocational education
• I hope the new national cur- learning is teacher-led. I’m expect- courses and apprenticeship/intern-
riculum framework will provide a ing NCFSE 2023 to change this by ship opportunities for students.

Nafeesa Ahmed forward to the NCFSE providing a
Director, Presidency Group of Institutions, roadmap for all schools to introduce
Bengaluru multi-disciplinary education.
• All state governments and educa-
n alumna of Bangalore and tors should become aware of the
London universities, Nafeesa potential of latest digital technolo-
AAhmed is director of the gies to enrich education. Therefore, I
Bangalore-based Presidency Group hope NCFSE 2023 encourages school
of education institutions, comprising managements to incorporate digital
eight K-12 schools, three colleges and learning resources to make learning
the Presidency University, Benga- more accessible, engaging, and inter-
luru. active for all children countrywide.
• I expect the new NCFSE and This will need intensive training of
NCF to be properly aligned with the teachers in digital pedagogies which
5+3+3+4 school structure proposed I’m sure the next installment of NCF
in NEP 2020. Schools all over the will address.
country should be teaching age-ap- • The assessment systems of schools
propriate content and developing the and exam boards need to be rede- • All children countrywide need
thinking and problem-solving skills signed to assess critical thinking to learn joyously. I am expect-
of children from young age. and knowledge application skills ing NCFSE 2023 to advise school
• NEP 2020 mandates erasure of rather than memorisation capabili- managements countrywide to reduce
distinctions between ‘curricular’, ties of children. In particular, exam the drudgery of K-12 education. The
co-curricular’ and ‘extra-curricular’ board officials and assessors need to mental health and wellbeing of chil-
education. Also, between arts, radically overhaul their evaluation dren is the prerequisite of academic
humanities, science, and vocational systems. I hope the NCFSE addresses excellence and responsible citizen-
and academic streams. I am looking this issue. ship.

48 EDUCATIONWORLD MARCH 2023