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Special Report

Dr. Skand Bali theory of concepts which happens
best without language compulsion.
Principal, Hyderabad Public School, Switch of K-12 schools to online learning
Begumpet during the Covid-19 crisis.The online/
n alum of Punjab University blended learning solution is specific
with 20 years experience in to the Covid-19 crisis. This mode of
Atop-ranked schools (Army learning certainly cannot replace
Public School, Dagshai, Doon School, face-to-face teaching that connects
Dehradun, G.D. Goenka World schools, teachers and students. I
School, Gurgaon), Dr. Skand Bali am a strong proponent of hands-on
is the high-profile principal of the learning pedagogies as expounded by
CISCE-affiliated Hyderabad Public the great educationist John Dewey.
School (HPS), Begumpet, which has Government interference in fees and
3,600 students and 162 faculty on its online education delivery of private
muster rolls. schools. Government interference
NEP 2020 overview. NEP 2020 delivers causes little damage to private to continuously upgrade their skills
a strong message: Education must schools run with the objective of and expertise using latest research in
education.
prepare children for life and not just providing quality education, as most
careers. Among the policy’s notewor- regulations are in favour of children. Top 3 proposals for re-inventing K-12
thy reform proposals are inclusion However, I believe that the education education.
of skills-based vocational training in ministry/department should consult • Switch to child-centric skills-based
school curriculums, integration of with experienced educators before education where learning is not only
technology, continuous professional drafting rules and regulations. about acquiring knowledge, but life
development of teachers and uni- HPS-Begumpet initiatives. We have skills as well.
versalisation of early childhood care designed an international curricu- • Integrate technology as a pedagogi-
and education. Although opposed lum and introduced agriculture and cal tool, so that learning is life-long
by many, allowing multi-lingualism entrepreneurship development as and doesn’t stop.
in classroom instruction is in my subjects. The school’s department • Reform the assessment system and
opinion, a positive step as I believe of progressive learning pedago- appreciate children for their effort
teaching-learning is a cognitive gies is also working with teachers and not just exam scores.

Jyoti Arora from online learning.
Principal, Mount Abu Public School, Rohini Increasing government interference in
private schools fees and online education
A delivery. Schools flourish when they
science, education and infor-
mation technology alum of
have strong support from parents.
Delhi, Himachal Pradesh and
Sikkim Manipal universities, Jyoti Therefore, it is disappointing that the
trust between parents and schools has
Arora is founder-principal of the reduced considerably because of gov-
CBSE-affiliated Mount Abu Public ernment circulars and notifications.
School, Rohini, Delhi (estb.1998)
with 2,700 students and 130 teach- Mount Abu Public School major initia-
ers. Arora also serves as an elected tive. We have recently introduced
member of the governing body of the our global citizenship curriculum
Central Board of Secondary Educa- to sensitise our children to the UN
tion (CBSE), Delhi. Sustainable Development Goals.
the contribution of private education
NEP 2020 overview. NEP 2020’s sharp institutions to nation-building. Top 3 proposals for re-inventing India’s
focus on early childhood care and K-12 education system.
education was long overdue. I am Switch of K-12 schools to online/blended • Revamp teacher education and
hopeful that NCERT and other agen- learning during the current Covid-19 cri- make the profession attractive for
cies will design a comprehensive sis. The smooth transition of private talented people. Only well-trained
curriculum to build strong literacy, schools to online/blended learning teachers will be able to equip stu-
numeracy and other foundational has ensured learning continuity with dents with 21st-century skills and
skills of children. The shift from minimum academic loss. This is a inspire innovation.
the 10+2 to the 5+3+3+4 system is beneficial development because it • Rebuild and restore trust between
also welcome. It will ensure a strong also connects learning communities schools and parents.
start, education continuity and expo- beyond national borders. But since • Redesign K-12 curriculums and
sure of children to life and vocational the country’s digital infrastructure is pedagogies to ensure children are
skills. However, I am disappointed still underdeveloped, many under- prepared for life and not just work-
with the policy’s failure to recognise privileged children are excluded places.

78 EDUCATIONWORLD AUGUST 2020