Why Progressive Education Is Key To Transformation Of Kids Today

Education, with its transformative power, is the cornerstone of human development. Its influence stretches far beyond the confines of classrooms, shaping individuals and societies alike. Education broadens your mind, enables you to explore different aspects of yourself, and teaches you to learn—the scope is unlimited. Rooted in my unwavering dedication towards education, I embarked on my journey in an education space of schools, driven by a vision to provide progressive international education to all learners.

How I Blend Artistic Expression With Functional Design

Education goes beyond imparting knowledge; it moulds individuals into problem-solvers and creative thinkers. As I progressed into my professional role, my perspective evolved since I transitioned into becoming a mother. Motherhood gave me an insight into the diverse needs of parents seeking a school and a nurturing environment where their children thrive intellectually, emotionally, and socially.

In my capacity overseeing branding and marketing, I am entrusted with many responsibilities, from content development to engaging with external stakeholders across platforms. However, my involvement extends to actively enhancing the creative aspects of our brand and fostering a holistic learning environment within our schools. By blending artistic expression with functional design, we create spaces that promote well-being, competence, and community. 

Never undermine the importance of reading, playing and exploring in the early years of a child. My focus as a young mother lies mainly on the Preprimary and Primary stages, where my firsthand experience has shown me that every child possesses the potential to imagine, create, learn, and excel if given the stimulus.

Everyone's journey is characterised by a set of challenges that are unique to them, and ours was no different. Each of our five schools had unique challenges, yet our unwavering vision for providing immersive learning experiences remained steadfast. 

As the first international school in South Bombay, we confronted limited understanding and availability of trained teachers for India's International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum. At that time, the IB board in India was at a nascent stage. To address this, we developed comprehensive training programmes for teachers, ensuring they were equipped to deliver quality education.

Another pertinent issue was the willingness of parents to switch to an international curriculum. Overcoming their reluctance required articulating the value of context over content and nurturing thinking skills over mere information retention. Persistence in our strategy eventually led to widespread acceptance, affirming our commitment to progressive education.

Changing With Times 

We advocate for a teaching methodology that empowers learners to express their perspectives and make choices. We endorse the cultivation of diverse viewpoints, the celebration of innovation, the courage to take risks, and the acceptance of failure as integral aspects of learning. In essence, we are nurturing the development of future global citizens. 

As advocates for skill-based education, we recognise the importance of shifting from content-centric to skill-centric learning. In an AI-dominated age, human skills such as creativity and moral reasoning take precedence. We prioritise cultivating these essential skills, ensuring our learners are equipped to navigate an ever-evolving world. We strive to make our learners relevant in the future.

Our dedication to educational excellence extends beyond the classroom. We constantly adapt to industry trends, staying at the forefront of innovation to cater to the needs of over 5000 learners. As social entrepreneurs, we understand our profound impact on shaping future generations. Our goal is to create a legacy, positively influencing the education sector and society.

Authored by Hemali Dalal, Managing Director, JBCN Education