Jio Institute hosted the first educators’ conclave at its campus in Navi Mumbai. The conference was conceptualized to bring together K-12 school leaders such as principals, coordinators, directors and other senior members, EdTech entrepreneurs and thought leaders in the primary and secondary education ecosystem in India.
The programme started with a unifying address by Dr. Palak Sheth, Project Director. He welcomed the more than 100 attendees from 24 states/UTs, 83 cities and representing more than 80 schools, and thanked the esteemed panellists for joining the conference. Focusing on the broader vision for educational synergy at Jio Institute, he said “a stronger nation can only come through stronger teachers and stronger teacher leaders.”
The Triangle of Transformation: Schools, Universities & Industry in Sync
The opening address was followed by an enlightened panel discussion with distinguished K-12 educational leaders. The panel was moderated by Dr. Nilay Yajnik, Professor & Director, Executive Education at Jio Institute.
Ms. Kam Chohan, Executive Director, ECIS addressing the issue of diversity & inclusion, reflected on her own journey as the first person of colour to lead an international school organization. Citing a McKinsey report, she stated “the value of diversity becomes clear when you see the decision-making and performance of organizations with an inclusive workforce”
Adding to the discussion, Ms. Aditi Avasthi Surri, Founder & CEO, Embibe stated that out of her 150 strong creative team, 120 are differently-abled. Dr. Yajnik pivoted the discourse towards the localization of International Board (IB) curricula in India. Ms. Asheka Tenzin, Academic Director at ADYP Schools, drew on her personal experience to debunk a general misconception that IB students can only apply to international universities for their graduate and higher studies.
An Inclusive Ecosystem
Ms. Deepa Bhushan, Director, CP Goenka Group of Schools, added to the current discourse, highlighting the need to include and educate parents. Talking about ‘parent conflict management’, she said “with more than 10 career changes, new disruptions everyday and emerging career tracks in fintech, clean energy, LBM, etc, it is as important to educate parents as it is to brief students”. Building resilience, persistence and the ability to adapt is something she strongly felt that needs to be inculcated in the children.
Sustainability at its Roots
Responding to Dr. Yajnik’s question about how sustainability practices, Ms. Bhushan highlighted that educators need to teach children basic techniques such as vermicomposting, waste segregation and organic farming.
Inspiring Creativity and Curiosity
Dr. Yajnik posted the age-old question to the panellists and audience members: “Do schools kill creativity?”. Responding to this, Dr. Dawood Vaid, Director, Golden Sparrow Education emphasized the need for educators, across levels, to upgrade themselves to be able to impart their knowledge to the citizens of the future: “We, as educators, are stuck in 21st century principles, while teaching the generation who will lead humanity into the 22nd century”.
One Life, Billion Interventions
Ms. Surri, in response to a question from the audience, said: “Over 250 million kids, going through a million concepts in over 100 disciplines; technology unifies it all. It augments and elevates their learning experience, to fulfil the ultimate target”, thus emphasising the need for educators to utilize modern technologies to personalise student learning experiences.
Rounding off the discussion was an engaging Q&A in the areas of bridge courses for IB students, adaptability to Indian testing standards, personalized marking schemes and real-world affordability of high-tech interventions in primary education.
Unifying Technology, Education & Industry
The insightful panel discussion was followed by a ‘Rapid Fire’ quiz on education, with Dr. Dawood Vaid filling in the role of a professional quiz master with panache. This was followed by a presentation of the campus facilities and a campus visit for the participants.
Mr. VP Joy, Senior Executive Vice President at RIL, in his closing remarks, said: “The time is ripe for India, in light of the NEP 2020 and the NCF, to focus on competency development, and nurture students who are lifelong learners”.
The first educators’ conclave created a novel platform for collaboration amongst the primary, secondary and higher education ecosystems and the industry. The panel is a testament to Jio Institute’s unwavering commitment towards modernizing and progressing the educational ecosystem in India.