Bhavisha Hirani
WHAT MAKES ME A PROGRESSIVE PRINCIPAL
Presently I am leading a school which is located at a very remote place, far from the city limits. Being a founder Principal, it was a great challenge for me to start the school with no admissions at all at the time of my joining in April and the school being at the end in the row of all other schools! After a lot of struggle I finally started the school in last week of June with 105 students, 99% of which belonged to nearby rural areas and were first generation learners! After 4 years of struggle and hard work, with the number crossing 400+ now, I can proudly say that my students are now no less than others in many ways!
MY MISSION AS A PROGRESSIVE PRINCIPAL OF INDIA
This position has helped me greatly to fulfill my aspirations for social outreach. I have always visioned education for all and through this tool, to uplift a part of the society, if not the whole! My Vision is that of imparting the best teaching to a child in order to help him raise not only his standards but also of the society around him. My mission remains To develop a child to face the challenges of the changing world.
LEARNING BY DOING
Learning is better when it is done by doing instead of just listening. Students learn better when they are actively engaged in the learning process. Our teachers therefore impart lessons mostly through activity based teachings, PPTs and audio-visual aids as well as field trips. We also invite experts from different fields from time to time to share and discuss their views and expertise with our students, thus giving them better insight into the subject matter. We focus more on activity based learning to give first hand learning experience to the students. For example while teaching the concept of MONEY, our students learned all the spheres related to Money, i.e how to spend money wisely, currency of different countries, bank transactions, visit to the bank and meeting with its official etc.
INTEGRATED CURRICULUM
Every year we select a theme/topic which is common to all subjects and accordingly lessons are planned by different subject teachers and integrated in the regular teaching. For example a theme related to a country is chosen and an interdisciplinary approach is used to teach the various aspects of the theme, i.e. location, climate, culture, history, food habits, sports, art, dance, culture, etc.
INTEGRATION OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP INTO EDUCATION THROUGH FACULTY
By making students more creative, opportunity oriented, proactive and innovative in all walks in life. Our approach is that all students can and should train their ability and willingness to create value for other people. This is more easily and better done by utilizing the concepts of learning by doing, especially in subjects like ICT and Science.
PROBLEM SOLVING & CRITICAL THINKING AMIDST THE FACULTY
The same is extended by giving training and opportunities for building self-determination skills, such as goal setting, decision-making, self-advocacy. Teachers are also given challenging tasks from time to time wherein they brainstorm and come up with different solutions.
GROUP WORK AND DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL SKILLS AMIDST THE FACULTY
Teaching cooperative skills, interpersonal skills to achieve mutual goals through different group based activities specially at the time of hosting meets and events.
UNDERSTANDING & ACTION BASED LEARNING
In our School, Lesson Plan is designed in such a way that concepts of students are cleared thoroughly and instead of emphasizing on exercise questions, assessments are based on understanding and various activities. Blooms Taxonomy is widely used for the purpose.
EDUCATION ACCENTUATING SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND SAFEGUARDING DEMOCRACY
Education empowers an individual to be confident enough to face the challenges of the changing world and be fearless enough to not only put forth his views but also knowledgeable enough to be able to safeguard his rights and the same time vigilant enough to be a contributing member of the society, thus helping in the upkeep and promotion of Democracy in a country. Our students and faculty are molded to be prepared in the same manner by participating in all the activities enthusiastically, whether it is within the school or outside .
DESIGN & DELIVERY OF A LEARNING ECOSYSTEM WHEREBY HIGHLY PERSONALIZED LEARNING ACCOUNTING IS DONE FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL’S PERSONAL GOALS
An Eco-Club has been formed in the school which takes care of issues related to greenery, waste management, roof water harvesting, cleanliness etc, in which selective students are given responsibilities and accountability which leads to sensitize them towards the environment.
INTEGRATION OF COMMUNITY SERVICE AND SERVICE LEARNING PROJECTS INTO THE DAILY CURRICULUM
Our students are involved in community service. The students of senior classes go to nearby village and teach the people various ways of saving water, rainwater harvesting as well as tell them about the new schemes of the govt, like SEED THE RISE, by Mahindra and Mahindra. Various social messages related to women empowerment, dowry deaths, Save Girl Child, Importance of Education etc, are given through nukkad nataks and other presentations, from time to time.
LIFELONG LEARNING AND SOCIAL SKILLS OF FACULTY MEMBERS
I tend to develop skills in my faculty members which leads not only to lifelong learning but also adds value to their skills. This is done by providing various workshops and training throughout the year in various soft skills as well as other areas. Personal attention and help is provided as and when necessary. In times of difficulty and trouble, I always stand with my teachers and support them by counselling and whatever other means as fits the situation. I also tend to set challenging tasks in order to bring out the best in them and thus make them realise their capacity of which they are mostly unaware.
PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY TO FACULTY EMPOWERMENT
Faculty should be empowered in such a way that they should all rise up to be competent enough to be the successor of my post as a Principal. That will be indeed the happiest moment for me!