S. SHANKARA CHARY
WHAT MAKES ME A PROGRESSIVE PRINCIPAL
Change is basic law of nature. Education is dynamic subject. Lot of changes have come in even in Education more particularly in School Education. The Curriculum became flexible, methodology became Interactive, activity centred, inter-disciplinary and Integrated and the evaluation became Continuous and Comprehensive. Unless the School leaders update their knowledge and skills they will not be able to do justice to their role and responsibilities. I engage myself in updating my knowledge and skills all the time that’s how I have successfully reached this stage. Even after 32 years of my time I have spent in School Education, still feeling fresh and enjoying. I feel I am able to understand the needs of the stakeholders of current times and delivering the need.
MY MISSION AS A PROGRESSIVE PRINCIPAL
The present day schools are facing the 21st Century children. They are highly dynamic and different all together when we compare with previous years. We have to be more dynamic and able to understand their way of looking at the world and and handle them with a lot of patience. Otherwise, we will face confrontation. I feel that the child is more confused and over confident. He need to be consoled and corrected. Unless we are with open minded and updated it is not possible. Being a Progressive Principal of India would definitely boost my morale and self confidence to further help me in helping the child and serving the society a lot through the school education.
LEARNING BY DOING
It is said that, if we hear we forget, if we see we remember and if we do we understand. The multi sensory approach in teaching helps the child in learning the concepts well and results in meaningful learning. I have created a learning environment in the school by giving freedom to both the student /learner and teacher/mentor/co-learner. It helped the child enjoy the learning process. Identifying the learning resources available and utilizing them in an optimum way will help the learning process by involving themselves.
INTEGRATED CURRICULUM
The NCF 2005 clearly recommended that, the concepts can not be effective if they are presented in isolation. The approach should be always interdisciplinary. Then only the utilitarian value of the concept or the subject will be understood by the learner. The interdisciplinary projects with group activity will be suited in integrated curriculum.
INTEGRATION OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP INTO EDUCATION THROUGH FACULTY
Thanks to the Information Technology, the world has become a Global Village. It has resulted in a world which has become highly competitive and challenging. Unless the child develops the abilities to face these challenges he will not survive and become successful. The focus of the school education should be developing qualities of how to face the world. More exposure should be given to develop the presentation skills which includes communication and creativity.
PROBLEM SOLVING & CRITICAL THINKING AMIDST THE FACULTY
The two important 21st Century Skills are Problem Solving and Critical Thinking because life is full of problems and to understand the same, the faculty needs to think differently and should come out of the stereotyped thought process. The outbound programmes are conducted for the faculty to help them learn how to face these challenges and become fit and bold as part of the continuing professional development activity. Innovative programmes are planned for them to feel fresh. Freedom is given to their contribution in framing the policies for the institution by making them partners in the service of schools education.
GROUP WORK AND DEVELOPMENT OF SOCIAL SKILLS AMIDST THE FACULTY
It is a team work always in schools which results in progress and achieving the set goals.The faculty is recruited only by merit. The combination of team is multifarious and cosmopolitan in nature. It creates a healthy environment in the school more particularly among the faculty. The major events of all the major religions are celebrated. The combination of experienced and young and energetic are created in the school among the faculty.
UNDERSTANDING & ACTION BASED LEARNING
If the child is asked to remember he is bound to forget. I believe strongly in this philosophy. Hence, we do not encourage any rote knowledge or memory. The students are given freedom to express their views in their own words in both writing and speaking. Project Presentations are part of their regular classroom activity. Field visits are organised keeping in view the concept for experiencing the practical experience of the real life situations.
COLLABORATIVE & COOPERATIVE LEARNING PROJECTS FOR FACULTY DEVELOPMENT
The influence of the peer group is very high on a learner. The major reason behind the same is the language they speak is effectively understood by them.
EDUCATION ACCENTUATING SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AND SAFEGUARDING DEMOCRACY
Man is a social animal. The classroom is a miniature of the society. The living together and moving with healthy relation by respecting each other is very much required. It is possible only through the inculcation of values. Education helps the individuals in developing these values. I am able to deploy this belief very well by inculcating the humanistic approach among the faculty effectively.
DESIGN & DELIVERY OF A LEARNING ECOSYSTEM WHEREBY HIGHLY PERSONALIZED LEARNING ACCOUNTING IS DONE FOR EACH INDIVIDUAL’S PERSONAL GOALS
Every child is an individual with his own entity and identity. Hence the individual differences exists. We have to take into consideration the individual requirements and handle them accordingly. It is possible only then when we do not generalise the class and the foundations of philosophy, psychology and sociology are well understood. I try to incorporate all the foundations in my practice of personalised learning.
INTEGRATION OF COMMUNITY SERVICE AND SERVICE LEARNING PROJECTS INTO THE DAILY CURRICULUM
It includes creating awareness programmes on road safety, clean and green saving the lakes, heritage etc.
FUTURISTIC SELECTION OF SUBJECT CONTENT
It includes five major 21st Communication Skills, Creative Thinking, Critical Thinking, Problem Solving and Decision Making. We have to keep in mind the requirements of the world at large and inculcate them in the regular curriculum. I could to a maximum extent successfully incorporate in the regular curriculum and effectively implement by adopting a variety of activities.
LIFELONG LEARNING AND SOCIAL SKILLS OF FACULTY MEMBERS
Learning is a continuous process. Today’s faculty is reformed as Co-learner. He has to learn along with the true learner and should learn to learn from his team members. Ample of opportunities are given for them for it.
FACULTY ASSESSMENT & EVALUATION OF THEIR INNOVATIVE PROJECTS & PRODUCTIONS
It’s very much a part of our focus but the assessment is is not judgmental. The faculty is given freedom and encouragement to come out with new and original ideas. We have created a learning environment by developing a place called INCUBATOR with a tagline creativity unlimited where they receive inspiration and gets an opportunity to work and make presentations. Probably it is first of its kind in schools in the country and unique. It is producing surprising results for all of us.
PERSONAL PHILOSOPHY TO FACULTY EMPOWERMENT
The motto of our school is Encouragement, Enlightenment, Empowerment. I strongly believe in empowering the faculty. If the faculty is empowered the decision making by them when they are on the field is fast and effective. Otherwise they become parasites lose their originality which is not good for the education system. I believe in decentralization of administration and delegation of the responsibilities and I practice it. It is giving me the wonderful results and tremendous amount of job satisfaction.