ArdorComm Media Group

early childhood education

Inauguration of Sakura – The Indo-Japanese Nursery Division at JG International School Marks a New Era in Global Education

In a landmark collaboration, JG International School (JGIS) in Ahmedabad and Keimei Gakuin School (KG) from Kobe, Japan, proudly inaugurated Sakura, the first-of-its-kind Indo-Japanese Nursery division. This historic event at JGIS symbolised a unique partnership between two esteemed educational institutions, setting a new benchmark in early childhood education. Keimei Gakuin, a 100-year-old institution from Kobe, Japan, is renowned for its innovative approach to education, rooted in Japanese philosophy, culture, values, and excellence. The newly established Sakura division integrates pedagogical methods, educational approaches, and cultural aspects from India and Japan. This collaboration aims to nurture a generation of globally-minded students who possess curiosity, creativity, and empathy, empowering them to excel and lead in an interconnected world. The educational philosophy at Sakura aligns with core principles of education, focusing on the moral character of children and fundamental societal principles. Emphasis is placed on human dignity and the comprehensive assimilation of human knowledge. Education is viewed as a process of unfolding children’s innate abilities, nurturing the total personality of each child rather than developing isolated skills. The curriculum moves away from rote learning to a skill-based system, fostering real learners with complex and flexible learning frameworks. Dr. Kavita Sharma, Principal of JG International School, expressed her excitement about the collaboration, stating, “We are thrilled to embark on this remarkable journey with Keimei Gakuin. The Sakura division is a testament to our commitment to providing a holistic and globally enriched education. We believe this collaboration will inspire our students to become compassionate, culturally aware, and innovative leaders of tomorrow.” Mr. Ibusuki Chikara, Principal of Keimei Gakuin High School (KGHS), added, “This partnership marks a significant milestone in fostering educational excellence and cultural exchange between Japan and India. We are excited to bring the rich heritage and educational philosophies of both countries together, creating an environment where students can thrive and grow into global citizens.” The bicultural curriculum seamlessly blends ancient and contemporary Indian and Japanese educational frameworks, offering students a comprehensive understanding of both cultures. Students will master English and Japanese, fostering multilingual competence and cross-cultural communication skills. Equal emphasis is placed on Literacy, Numeracy, Program of Inquiry, and life skills education, including critical thinking, problem-solving, decision-making, communication, collaboration, and personal and social responsibility. Students will engage in traditional Japanese arts like calligraphy and martial arts, as well as Indian classical music, folk dances, and indigenous games. Regular student exchange programs and collaborative initiatives will foster mutual understanding among students from diverse backgrounds. Furthermore, expert educators from both countries will collaborate to enhance teaching methodologies and share best practices. The inauguration ceremony was a grand celebration featuring cultural performances, speeches by distinguished guests, and a tour of the new facilities. The event showcased the deepening ties between India and Japan, highlighting a shared vision of creating a world-class educational experience for young learners.

Pradeepa Thinakaran, Founder & MD, Zing International Preschool, Chennai expressed on Child safety

“When parents trust us with their children, safety is paramount. We prioritize safety measures, such as eliminating plastic, maintaining cleanliness, and providing a safe play area.” Said Pradeepa Thinakaran Can you tell us more about your organization? I’m passionate about kindergarten education, so I founded Zing International Preschool. In the first year, we admitted nearly 200 children, and the second year saw a similar intake. Our school is eco-friendly, focusing on greenery and avoiding the use of plastics. We prioritize helping children learn to read and write using phonetic sounds. Importantly, we allow children to learn at their own pace through free play, which sets us apart from other schools. What are the primary concerns for educators regarding safety and implementation of education? When parents trust us with their children, safety is paramount. We prioritize safety measures, such as eliminating plastic, maintaining cleanliness, and providing a safe play area. Safety, discipline, and education are the top concerns for us. How do you view the growth of the preschool segment, especially with the implementation of the National Education Policy? Preschools have seen significant growth as parents appreciate the focus on early childhood education. Unlike K-12 schools, preschools concentrate solely on the kindergarten years (ages 2-6). This specialization is attracting parents, leading to the booming growth of preschools. What factors should parents consider regarding hygiene when selecting a preschool? Parents should prioritize hygiene during preschool visits. They should inspect restroom cleanliness and inquire about restroom maintenance schedules. Regular cleaning intervals, cleanliness of play areas, and sanitation practices for furniture are crucial factors to consider. What were your key learnings from today’s session? Today’s session provided valuable insights, especially regarding childcare, parenting, and environmental utilization. Learning from panelists about water conservation and parenting strategies was particularly enlightening. The event was a great source of information. How do forums like this benefit participants? Events like this provide a platform for networking and accessing technology partners. Digital tools showcased at stalls are beneficial for students from grade 8 to 12, aiding in their learning outside the classroom. Such forums facilitate the adoption of digital platforms for enhanced learning experiences. Any message for ArdorComm Media Group? Congratulations on your journey of 2.5 to 3 years. The event organization and follow-up have been commendable. Keep up the good work, and I wish you continued success. Any final thoughts? It was a pleasure attending this event. Thank you for the invitation, and I wish you all the best.  

Dr. Harshita Sharma, Founder Director, Brainstorm International, Pune, shares her views on aligning SDGs in Pre-School Education

“In the early years, I think if we align sustainability goals, in simple steps, we don’t have to have a very heavy curriculum,” says Dr. Harshita Sharma, Founder Director, Brainstorm International, Pune, in an interview with Chandan Anand, CEO & Group Editor, ArdorComm Media Group at the ‘New Normal – Education Leadership Summit & Awards 2023’ #ELSANewDelhi #ELSAGurugram How are you feeling to witness this summit? First of all, congratulations to you for a wonderful, amazing, and very insightful event. ArdorComm is doing a wonderful job connecting so many educators. I think this was a very different experience because I have never seen people from the NCERT team staying and talking, sharing their insights the way they have given the inputs. Everybody was in the room, and nobody walked out, and that shows what kind of speakers you had since morning. Amazing panel and warm hospitality. So, congratulations to you. What were the learnings and takeaways from the topics on which the discussion happened? I think you have touched on the core topics, beginning with technology being so transformative and what are the new things transforming in technology. Moving on to the foundation stage, early years, and how we can align with the sustainable goals. What we can do at the ground level, and what are all the stakeholders doing, their best practices and insights. This was just amazing. Moving forward to the K-12 schools, it’s all about how the new education policy (NEP) and National Curriculum Framework (NCF) are being implemented. The best practices shared by schools were amazing. I really liked that slogan “Issue of a tissue,” which was something very interesting. They were saying that a small spark in a child can lead the discussion to a completely new revolution of sustainability and making the planet the safest planet. What is the message for the people who are entering the preschool section and what will be the sustainability advice for them? In the early years, I think if we align sustainability goals, in simple steps, we don’t have to have a very heavy curriculum. With the new NEP, you have the first five years based on play, themes, stories, and experiential learning. If we can combine that along with the Panchakoshas (five layers of development) in a simple way, engaging the community together so that all our pillars and stakeholders are aligned, it becomes easier to implement. We also need to ensure that parents are aligned with our vision and mission. Make them the most important stakeholders who should be aligned with your vision, which is crucial. Any message for ArdorComm Media Group on its 2nd anniversary? As a human being, I think I relate to you more than anything else. The kind of passion you have for the entire organization that brings us here from all the way from Pune, and I think the event and the content, both the combination when it comes together, it becomes worth coming all the way from wherever all the educators are coming from. Congratulations to you and thank you for connecting such wonderful people. It’s not easy, and you all are doing an amazing job. Congratulations once again and keep up the good work.