Education Leaders Confluence 2020: Pratham Test prep organized Education Leaders Confluence-2020 (ELC-20) to discuss the contemporary challenges that are faced by educators and students in the COVID times. ELC-20 is being held to bring thought leadership to the fore for the future of Indian education systems. Among the three major events scheduled, the inaugural session of the event ‘The Principal Round Table’ was held successfully in a virtual manner.
The Principal Round Table
The inaugural session of the confluence was graced by eminent panellists and experts who were principals of various schools. The session saw a fruitful and enriching discussion among them on the topic “Future of Blended Learning in Indian Schools”. The discussion was moderated by Mr. Saurabh Nanda, an international educator, who carries a vast experience in student counselling and mentoring. He was joined by Mr Ankit Kapoor, Managing Director, Pratham Test Prep, Mrs Vandana Chawla, Principal, New Era Public School and Mrs Vanita Sehgal, Executive Director, The Delhi Public School Society, HRDC along with Mr T. Premkumar, Principal, Indian Educational School Kuwait.
The key points highlighted by various panellists during the discussion are highlighted below:
Need for the Confluence
“While India is the third largest education system in the world and on the verge of becoming the second largest, yet it suffers from a void in thought leadership especially in school level education. Pertaining to the gaps between the policy making, customisation and implementation, it is our endeavour to provide a platform to highlight the real issues and perspectives of the Indian Education.” Said Mr Ankit Kapoor, Managing Director, Pratham Test Prep.
Digitization of Learning Process
The learning process in India is changing. It is making headway in digitizing the learning process, and it is not only in India but also the world over where we can see such changes being incorporated. On the digitization of learning process, Mrs Vandana Chawla, Principal, New Era Public School said that “The rate at which technology is growing will always outpace what is part of the education curriculum. We have to constantly improve and learn to narrow this gap between what is taught and what is the need of the hour. The sudden change during the COVID-19 has made us realize that the situation is here to stay and only the dynamic will prevail and sail it through. In every challenge there is an opportunity. Online teaching during COVID times has taught us that."
Understanding the Blended Education Model
“The blend of the traditional and the modern will equip our students to take on new challenges and conquer the world!" Therefore, it is of utmost importance we should understand and strike out a balance between the two which safeguards the interest of the children and allows being future-ready.” Said Mrs Vanita Sehgal, Executive Director, The Delhi Public School Society, HRDC
In parity with the words of Mr T Prem Kumar, Pratham test prep stated that learning is a continuous process irrespective of the source and that a person should be able to learn and unlearn to become better and reach the pinnacle of success.
“Blended Learning has enabled me to understand that the whole world is your classroom and that the learning doesn't stop at the school or university. Pratham Test Prep, during this pandemic has conducted its classes in the online format without compromising the quality and information. The sessions were interactive and its faculty revamped the entire structure from an offline mode to online mode seamlessly. The everyday learning and imparting made the experience for the faculty also much rewarding as much as it was for the students.” Added Mr T. Premkumar, Principal, Indian Educational School Kuwait
India has a history of face-to-face learning; the concept of shifting to a different medium is not easy. The gap is widening. This is a major concern and many points were elaborated on and discussed in this prolonged session.
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