-By ArdorComm Media Bureau
June 5, 2023
“Our school has followed a traditional teaching method for the past 20 years, so introducing technology has been a priority,” says Swetha Balakrishnan, Secretary, Excel Matric HR Sec School in an interview with Pratik Ghosh, Content Writer, ArdorComm Media Group at the ‘New Normal – Education Leadership Summit & Awards 2023’ #ELSAChennai #ELSATamilNadu
How are you feeling to witness this new normal education Leadership Summit and awards?
Well, I was looking forward to the summit for a long time. Ever since the new education policy was introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic, I was very interested to know more about the policy and its key features. Even though there is a 66-page document available in the public domain, there are certain terms and concepts that need further explanation, such as constructivist learning and contextualization. So, I was excited about attending a summit like this, where educators from schools to higher education institutions come together to exchange ideas. I think it’s a valuable opportunity, and I want to thank ArdorComm Media for organizing such an event.
How are you implementing the initiatives mentioned in the NEP (National Education Policy) in your institution?
To be honest, we are at the initial stage of implementing NEP 2020 in our institution. The first step is to understand the 66-page document thoroughly. Our school has followed a traditional teaching method for the past 20 years, so introducing technology has been a priority. Thanks to the COVID-19 situation, the introduction of smart classes has been accelerated in our school. As for the implementation of NEP, we are currently at level one. We are working with NABET (National Accreditation Board for Education and Training), which is a wing of the Quality Council of India. They are supporting us with a 50-parameter list, and we are gradually implementing these parameters with their guidance. We have also established a partnership with a nearby school, TI School, which has already been benchmarked in 2008. We are seeking guidance from them as well. The implementation of NEP is a step-by-step process, and we aim to reach level five within three to four years.
As you can see in this kind of forums where we have the presence of the academician, EdTech leaders as well as the government, how does this kind of forum benefit the education sector?
The Academy-Industry collaboration emphasized in NEP is crucial, not only at the college level but also at the school level. Many colleges require students to take the initiative to approach industries based on their own interests and skill sets. However, students may not always be aware of their own skill sets or the skills needed for future employment. By fostering collaboration between academia and industry at the school level, students can gain insights into the courses and skills required for higher education and employment. Forums like this summit provide an excellent platform for educators, industry professionals, and government representatives to interact and share ideas. Additionally, such events showcase innovative approaches to education, such as the use of technology to make learning more engaging. For example, I had an interaction with a company called Matific, which has transformed mathematics education into an interactive video game. It’s a fun way for students to learn while also addressing the issue of excessive screen time. Overall, these forums serve as a major catalyst for progress in education, and I personally have learned a lot from this summit.
Any message for ArdorComm Media Group?
I don’t have any specific message for ArdorComm Media Group, but I would like to mention that the summit was well-organized. The only suggestion I have is to ensure better time management to avoid overlapping sessions. Other than that, I want to express my gratitude for providing this wonderful opportunity.