-By Chandan Anand, Group Editor, ArdorComm Media
February 28, 2025
“The more adaptable we are to new technologies, the more we stay ahead of our students” said Dr. Seema Negi
Q: What are some of the new and upcoming highlights of your school?
A: Our school always focuses on two key aspects: retaining values and culture while providing students with the wings to embrace technology. We ensure that nothing in AI is left unexplored. As a principal, I make it a priority to learn about AI first, then my core team learns, and finally, we bring that knowledge to our parents and students.
Q: How quickly was AI adopted in your institution, and why was it necessary?
A: We have been working on this extensively and recently started exploring Deep Seek, which we learned about just a few days ago. The more adaptable we are to new technologies, the more we stay ahead of our students. Since children are digital natives, they already know so much. If we, as educators, do not learn what interests them, we may fail to develop a strong connection with them.
Q: How have classrooms evolved over time?
A: Classrooms have changed in many ways. While smart boards and whiteboards have been around for over a decade, the biggest shift is in the role of teachers. Today, teachers are not just educators; they are guides, facilitators, friends, and mentors. We are now open to learning from our students, co-creating the knowledge system together.
Q: What does ‘skilling’ mean to students? Do they truly understand its significance?
A: Students do understand the concept of skilling, though their perspective might differ from ours. To illustrate, if a child always greets me with “Hello, ma’am, how are you?” and I respond with “Jai Bharat”—which is our school’s way of greeting—after ten interactions, the child understands that I expect “Jai Bharat” in return. Skills must be role-modeled, and we see this in how students engage in discussions about entrepreneurship with me because they recognize my passion for research. By displaying skills consistently, we create stronger connections with our students.
Q: How are students adapting to emerging educational trends such as STEAM education and entrepreneurship?
A: Students are highly receptive. From Grade 4 onwards, they participate in entrepreneurship Olympiads, and from Grade 1, they engage in competitions like Idea-Thon. The ideas they generate are incredible, and when they pitch their products, some are so convincing that we tell them to start taking orders. They are developing strong business acumen at an early age, and the days of waiting until Grades 10 or 12 to introduce these concepts are long gone.
Q: What message do you have for students preparing for board examinations?
A: My message to students is to stay calm and breathe. They have already studied enough, and now is the time for revision. If they have any doubts, they should reach out to their teachers. Often, instead of staying calm, students become anxious, which leads to unnecessary stress. I always refer to the Bhagavad Gita, where Arjuna, in his moment of confusion, became a seeker and turned to Lord Krishna for guidance. Similarly, I urge students to seek help when needed and maintain a positive mindset. What we think is what we become.
Q: How do forums like this, which bring together representatives from various educational and corporate sectors, benefit society?
A: Forums like this broaden our vision as educators and help us understand the gaps between school education and higher education. For instance, recognizing this gap led us to introduce financial literacy from nursery level. By understanding what’s missing, we can bring these elements into early education, ensuring students are better prepared for the future.