Question

You have asked to interview the principle of a school for reciving the cleanest school award

Answer 1

 

Q.1. As a National Award Winning Principal, what do you think has helped you reach where you have?

I started my career 33 years ago in 1981, having learnt everything I could,  right from the grassroot level, beginning humbly as an Assistant to the class teacher in Ornellas School (which caters to children from Economically Weaker Sections of Society) and then qualifying myself and working my way up to class Teacher in the Primary , Middle School and Higher Secondary School in St. Mary’s School (which caters to the elite). I taught various classes and various subjects, learnt administration and execution of all educational policies of the school under my mentor Mrs. Elizabeth Matthew.  I have always kept myself abreast of new developments in education.

My passion and commitment to my vocation surpassed all other commitments and responsibilities, often neglecting my home and family.  My larger vision was to make a difference to over 2800 families at any given time as compared to looking after my own single family. I am involved in every department of the school, be it teaching, curriculum planning, concerts, extra-curricular activities, administration and execution of all school policies. So here I am now in 2014, Principal of Wisdom World School and Director of the Schools Programme of Vishwakarma Purple Educational Trust.

 

Q.2. What according to you are the key ingredients of a successful institution?

An institution that is dynamic but sensitive to the needs of all its stakeholders, especially the students, their parents, the teachers and the Management. Besides, the fact that it must keep up with all the latest technological developments while having as its foundation, valuable traditions and strong values.

It must have a management that understands educational needs of not only our children but society at large. Besides, I strongly believe that children learn by example. So a good institution must have a sterling staff of teachers who live up to their school motto. Moreover, children get influenced by their parents and the environment at home too.  So school policies should be supported by the parents. Of course the other factors that contribute to a good school, like sound curriculum planning, balanced with appropriate co-curricular activities, goes without saying. Great infrastructure is, of course, a basic factor, but of no consequence without the human element i.e. great teachers! A school is also as good as its top team comprising the Principal, Vice-Principal and Co-ordinators. Overall the ethos of the school is reflected by the Management and Principal of the School. The vision of a good school is to recognise that all children are different and that these differences create opportunities for adults and children alike to learn more about themselves and each other. Helping children to develop good attitudes and values should be the aim of a good school.

A good school should deliver a curriculum for the WHOLESOME DEVELOPMENT of a child, and one that is fitting for the 21st CENTURY. In today’s world the school should also provide a safe and secure environment with which they can seek to equip its pupils for the world of today and tomorrow, to foster self-esteem and respect for others, to widen their horizons and give them the means to reach those horizons and beyond.

 

Q.3. There is a wide view that co-curricular activities help enrich student-teacher relationship.  What is your view on this?

Of course, they do! Besides which they certainly bring to the fore the latent talent and abilities of children and help to build up their self-confidence. Sometimes, in the rush for Academic Excellence, these talents may not be spotted by the teachers. Outside the classroom and in informal settings the children and the teachers see different dimensions of each other, paving the way for wonderful communication, thereby solving many problems, which may be a result of miscommunication and misunderstanding .