Page 87 - EW JAN 2022

Pictorial Essay (Part II)

Extraordinary Achievement in Education Leadership Award 2021-22

G.S. Madhav Rao

DR. SHAYAMA CHONA (2012)
GULAB RAMCHANDANI (2012)
DR. AUGUSTINE & GRACE PINTO
(2013)
SUMER SINGH (2013)
DR. ACHYUTA SAMANTA(2013)
SANJIT (BUNKER) ROY (2014)
LT. GEN. (RETD) ARJUN RAY (2014)
SHOMIE DAS (2014)
DR. RAMDAS PAI (2015)
DR. B.S. RAO (2015)
M.V. MUTHURAMALINGAM (2015)
CAPT. RAJ MOHINDRA (2016)
GS Madhav Rao with Dr. Kannan Gireesh (left) & Sumer Singh (right) DR. P.C. THOMAS (2016)

riend, philosopher and guide of K-12 educators in Dubai, arguably the world’s largest chain of K-12 institu-
India and abroad for over half a century, G.S Madhav tions. Reportedly hand-picked and selected by Sunny Var-
FRao (GSMR) is an unsung hero of Indian education. key, the legendary Chairman of GEMS Education, in 1992
During his long and continuing association with primary- GMSR was appointed Executive Principal of Our Own Eng-
secondary and early childhood education, GSMR has lish School, Dubai, the flagship institution of GEMS. After
enabled the promotion of several private schools in rural serving with GEMS Education for 15 years (1992-2007),
and urban India and in the Middle East and has helped Madhav Rao returned to India and after a brief stint as
them raise teaching-learning standards to global norms. Chief Academic Officer of GEMS India, he signed up as
A science, education and English postgrad of the Re- CEO of the Delhi NCR-based Synergy School Systems Pvt.
gional College of Education, Bhubaneswar, Central Insti- Ltd which builds and manages schools for investors coun-
tute of Education, Delhi University, Utkal University and trywide (2008-18). After that GSMR went solo and cur-
MARJONS, Plymouth UK, GSMR began his career as a sci- rently is the Chief Advisor of Mumbai-based Kothari Group
ence teacher in the Sri Venkateshwara Public School, Hors- and Vasal Education Society, Punjab. These groups run 11
ley Hills, Andhra Pradesh (1967-71) followed by the high- schools with an aggregate enrolment of 18,000 students
ranked Delhi Public School, Mathura Rd, Delhi (1971-79). mentored by 1,300 teachers.
In 1979 responding to an appeal from farmers of Sam- Looking back at his long career in K-12 education in In-
balpur District, Madhav Rao ventured deep into rural India dia and abroad, Madhav Rao is disappointed with the inad-
to promote and establish the Kosala School, Nuakhairpalli equate investment and faulty policies in public education.
entirely funded by the community desperate to provide “America’s education policies are heavily influenced by
good quality English medium education to their children. powerful national associations of school principals. Unfor-
Five years later after the Kosala School was operationalized tunately in India school principals and teachers are hardly
and mainstreamed, GSMR responded to a request of the involved in the process of formulating education policy.
DPS Society and Nalco (National Aluminium Company) The entire academic community needs to unite to influence
to establish a Delhi Public School in the company’s captive and shape early childhood and primary-secondary educa-
township in Odisha. “Good quality foundational educa- tion,” advises Madhav Rao.
tion is the essential prerequisite of national development For his sustained and dedicated effort to raise teach-
and progress. Therefore it is my philosophy to respond to ing-learning standards and learning outcomes in K-12
people and communities anxious to provide acceptable education in India and offshore, the Editors and Board of
quality education to their children, tomorrow’s leaders,” Directors of EducationWorld are pleased to present the Ex-
says Madhav Rao. traordinary Achievement in Education Leadership Award
GSMR’s next invitation came from the GEMS Education, 2021-22 to G. S. Madhav Rao.

86 EDUCATIONWORLD JANUARY 2022