Mentor Volume 10 Issue 12

Pearson IndiaNurturing healthy minds,by helping your school meet every student’s uniquepsychological needs.At Pearson Academy India, we believe learning and academic success hingeon e ectively addressing emotional, behavioral and cognitive needs of students- and this is critical for success, in addition to enhanced methods of classroomlearning.Every child has a unique mind that requires nurturing, for learning to flourishand for your school to shine.Email us at [email protected] to know how we can help your school meetyour students’ unique psychological needs. Please mention the codePAI/PCTA/17/03 in the subject line.

CONTENTs May 2017 | Volume 10 Issue 12 Mentor Thoughts COVER STORYSultan Speaks 16 Power of LearningPage - 05 06Life skills through cinema!Internet society: Indian Kid’s lives onlinePage - 30An insight into children’s online presence today...Re-define Teacher TrainingPage - 34 PedagogyEntrepreneurial DevelopmentPage - 06A Road Map for Youth Empowerment... School GovernanceMoving into collaboration: ClusteringPage - 09Moving from academic isolation to clustering to share knowledge...Optimizing Support SystemsPage - 12Seamless School Governance... School LeadershipBeing just an educator is not enoughPage - 22Today’s educators need to be innovators and system developers... InnovationNature’s invaluable lessonsPage - 26Inspiration is all around us...09 22 27Publisher & Owner: Syed Sultan Ahmed Editor-in-Chief: Kalpa Kartik Associate Editor: Yashika BegwaniContent Developer: Ashitha Jayaprakash Designed by: Uday S Production: Praveen U.M., Sathish C., Guna V.Printed by: Manoj Printed at: Elegant Printing Works, # 74, South End Road, Basavangudi, Bengaluru - 560 004.Published at: # 175, 2nd Cross, Lower Palace Orchards, Bengaluru - 560 003, India. Ph: +91 9019111110NOTICE: A Venture ofAs an author/contributor you are responsible for the authenticity of the information you provide in your article. The publishersdo not accept liability for error or omissions contained in this publication. By submitting letters/emails or other publication TMmaterials to Mentor Magazine you agree they are the property of Mentor Magazine. All communication to Mentor Magazinemust be made in writing. No other sort of communication will be accepted. All decisions regarding publishing of an article All Rights Reserved © 2016is the prerogative of the publisher and editorial team of Mentor Magazine. Mentor Magazine is owned and published by EduMedia Publications Pvt. Ltd.EduMedia Publications Pvt. Ltd. for and on behalf of Mr. Syed Sultan Ahmed. All disputes are subject to the exclusivejurisdiction of the competent courts and forums in Bengaluru City.Source for a few pictures - Internet



SULTAN SPEAKSLIFE SKILLS THROUGHCINEMAAt the recently announced In retrospect when I look back their Life Skills and Values64th National Film Awards, at the amazing success of curriculum. Another disturbingSchool Cinema won the honors this project I realize that it recent development is thatfor 2 of its films in the non- was the intent with which we many CBSE schools believefeature category for ‘Best Film started the project that made that since CCE is no longeron Family Values’ and ‘Best all the difference. In a country mandatory there is no need toEducation Film’. This makes that makes the world’s largest focus on life skills since it doesit a tally of 6 National Awards number of films we somehow not contribute to the gradesfor our School Cinema films. produce the least number of scored by children.We are probably the largest films for children and the few What I have learned over theproducers of short films for that we do make are made very years of working with schoolschildren in India today with shoddily. We decided that our is that the biggest lessons thatover 120 films in our catalogue films will be made not just for children learn are not the onesfrom kindergarten to grade 11 entertainment but also teach that came prescribed in textand certainly one of the most important lessons of life. It gives books. It is the lesson that isawarded. The recognitions for me pride today to state that imbibed by the culture of theour work does not end there, we have in a very responsible school and what the schoolour films have featured in over manner brought some very focused on, that lasts a lifetime.300 International Film Festivals relevant issues of our times into I am thankful to the innumerableand have been awarded the classroom – gender bias, educators who have supportedgenerously for their exceptional religious sensitivity, cultural and encouraged Schoolquality and the message they sensitivity, honesty, courtesy Cinema as a medium tocommunicate. and many such issues. inculcate life skills and valuesThe real award that I have among children. Nowherereceived for being the It gives me pride else in the world has anyoneproducer of such amazing films today to state that used cinema the way we haveis not from the world of films but we have in a very used School Cinema and thefrom the education fraternity. responsible manner credit of its success goesThe manner in which school brought some very largely to the educators whoauthorities adapted to School relevant issues of encourage it. Thank you forCinema, a distinct teaching our times into the your encouragement!medium and brought LifeSkills learning to the forefront classroom Mr. Syed Sultan Ahmed,of education is commendable. The fierce competition among Managing Director, LXL IdeasThis year School Cinema will be parents to ensure that theira part of the school curriculum children get grades has [email protected] almost 1 million children. forced a lot of educators toSchools across India are compromise on the depth ofteaching ‘Lessons of Life’ in themost impactful and entertainingmanner possible.5

PEDAGOGY ENTREPRENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT Dr. Manoj PandeyDr. Manoj Pandey is an The term entrepreneur has productivity. Another researcherassociate professor and Head been derived from the French named Joseph Schumpeterof Department, Amity Business word “entreprendre” which indicated that innovation playedSchool at Amity University, means “to undertake”. The term a crucial role in the evolution ofMadhya Pradesh. An alumnus entrepreneur has been in use an Entrepreneur.of Lucknow University, Dr. for more than six decades now.Pandey has a number of The meaning and interpretation “A good entrepreneurdegrees to his credit which has been changing with time is foresighted. Hefollows, B.Com, M.Com, L.L.B, and need. Richard Cartillon an is able to see andPh.D as well as PGDBM, NCMP Irishman living in France was predict the future. Aand CS (Executive). His areas of the first man who introduced good entrepreneurspecialization include Finance, the term Entrepreneur andAccounting, Taxation and his unique function of taking constantly maintainsEntrepreneurial Development. and bearing risk in economics a positive mindset during early 18th century, he during laboriousBefore joining Amity, Dr. Pandey defines entrepreneur as an situationswas the Campus Head at agent who acquires or buysEveronn and ICFAI, institutions production factors at certain If we study the life of successfulwhere he has served more than prices, combine them to give it a entrepreneurs of India like6 years. Alongside teaching, shape of a product and sell it at Dhirubhai Ambani, JRD Tata,Dr. Pandey is also interested uncertain prices. Jean-Baptiste Narayan Murthy, Azim Premji,in research and has a large Say, a French Economist says Indra Nooyi and others alike,number of publications to that Entrepreneur is one who we can find immense diversityhis credit. Dr. Pandey is also combines land, capital of one in terms of their education,actively involved in academic entity and labour of another entity upbringing and financialadministration, mentoring, to produce a product. He says background. Some have comecounselling and motivating his that an Entrepreneur shifts the from financially stable homesstudents. economic resources of an area of lower productivity to higherIt is necessary for children tobe well prepared for the futureand it is our fundamental duty toenable them with the necessaryrequisites. Dr. Manoj Pandey,in this enlightening articlewith Mentor stresses on theimportance of entrepreneurialskills for children from a youngage.6 www.lxl.in

while others not so stable Foresight: A good entrepreneur May 2017backgrounds. Some are highly is foresighted. He is able to seeeducated and some are school/ and predict the future. In other Good Manager: A goodcollege drop outs. Some became words he is able to visualize the entrepreneur is a good manager.entrepreneurs at an early age likely changes that may happen He plans well and ahead,and some very late. There are at the market place, technology organizes activities, directs andsignificant differences that set space, consumer taste and handles the activities so thatthem apart but there is one preferences etc. the organizational goals arecommon factor that binds them achieved.all. What is that common factor only through the Perseverance: One of thethat makes them so successful? initiative of starting most important qualities ofA careful scanning of the lives Entrepreneurship an entrepreneur is that heof such personalities sheds Development Cells possesses great perseverance.light on some of the common both at schools and Even in difficult situations hecharacteristics that they share colleges; the young keeps up his efforts and neverwhich are listed below. generation will get gives up. He takes failuresInnovation: This is a very opportunities to nurture as learning experiences andimportant trait as the keeps moving in the direction ofbusiness environment is very their life skills… accomplishing his goals.dynamic. There is tremendous Leadership: A good entrepreneurcompetition in the industry is a very good leader. He hasfrom the abundance of similarproducts and services and acustomer with ever changingtaste and preferences which inturn gives rise to the neces-sityof innovation. The answer to allthese challenges is innovationin products, processes andpractices.Highly Optimistic: A goodentrepreneur is incrediblyoptimistic and always views thebetter side of situations andacts accordingly. He constantlymaintains a positive mindsetduring enduring situations.7 www.lxl.in

the ability to visualize the future, all levels. be taken to develop futurebuild a great team, and motivate • Young Entrepreneurship Cell: entrepreneurs at Schoolthem towards the achievement and College levels. MSMEof organizational goals. He Entrepreneur cells should be provides a lot of supportthinks about his people and started right from school level including financial aid.creates a win-win situation for to educate, guide and develop • Mentorship: Once studentspeople as well as the enterprise. students on Entrepreneurship. start an enterprise, they should be provided supportToday, in this age it is very • Business Plan Competition: in terms of motivation andimportant that students both guidance. The help andat school and college level Students should be assistance provided by a encouraged to develop mentor be it a teacher teach-get training in skills that will innovative business plans. ing entrepreneurship or anmold them into successful alumna from the respectiveentrepreneurs. This concept is Business Plan competitions industry, adds immense should be organized at strength to the confidencevital from a social and economic School and College levels. and esteem of the buddingpoint of view of the development entrepreneur.of the country because as weall know youth are the leaders • Government Bodies: Help [email protected] tomorrow. Entrepreneurship from Government bodies suchDevelopment Programmes as MSME (Micro, Small and(EDP) should become a part of Medium Enterprise) shouldevery school curriculum. It is onlythrough the initiative of startingEntrepreneurship DevelopmentCells both at schools andcolleges; the young generationwill get opportunities to nurtureskills that will help them becomesuccessful entrepreneurs who inturn will strengthen the overallgrowth and development of ourNation.Here are a few ways that couldhelp in nurturing the skills ofentrepreneurship in students at8

SCHOOL GOVERNANCE MOVING INTO CCLOULSLTAEBROINRAGTION: Ms. Maya MohanMs. Maya Mohan is an The main thrust of this article is professionalism of teachers,educationist with four decades to define clustering and explore and their awareness aboutof experience in the field of how it is practiced and how it current advances in education.education. Her educational helps in forming an innovative Educationists have realisedbackground includes an M.Phil network for curriculum and that islands of excellence arefrom JNU (South East Asian teacher development, for sharing not enough and cooperationStudies), besides a Masters in resources and knowledge as and collaboration betweenEnglish from Delhi University well as for enhancing the quality educational institutions are ofand a Masters in Education of educational leadership. It paramount importance. Thefrom Annamalai University. is not a new concept as it has Sahodaya concept of CBSE found its voice in the Sahodaya was a push in this direction.She was also a member of the movement as envisaged by Subject specific workshopsAndhra Pradesh Education the CBSE which had the goal for teachers, conferences onReview committee. At present of sharing and caring as a leadership and management,Ms. Maya Mohan is the Director, template. Clustering can be seminars on technologicalTattwa Centre of Learning, an used as an effective tool to raise advances and its impact oneducational venture utilising student potential and facilitate education were all held in orderthe platform of NIOS to student engagement in their to help professionals in the fieldprovide ‘Alternative Education’ learning. of education get an idea of theto students. An innovative direction their institutions havecurriculum has been designed Due to an to take. This has worked well inkeeping in mind current isolationist mindset certain Sahodaya complexes.teaching learning strategies, The problem arises when alltaking into account the strength educational the stakeholders are not onand passion of students. institutions either the same page. When learningTattwa aims at becoming repeat themselves ceases stagnation occurs andan educational resource due to an isolationist mind-setcentre in the city and state or reinvent the educational institutions eitherproviding consultancy, training wheel repeat themselves or reinventand mentoring to institutions the wheel.to principals, teachers andstudents. Through Mentor she Clustering of schools whether Innovative Network:shares an effective method for it is the result of geographical Clustering as a system canschools to share innovations proximity, cutting across boards work as an innovative network inor advancements in the field of or whether it is confined to improving quality of education.education or effective methods the same board is a support This will benefit students andof pedagogy that will benefit all strategy for working towards teachers as they share the bestthe schools involved. mutual benefit. It aids in peer practices. Clustering can also exchange of ideas, technology help in curriculum development9 and materials. The concept and teacher education besides of Clustering has been developing strategies for around for a long time but it is assessment and evaluation. gaining ascendancy today as Teacher discussion groups educationists feel the disparity formed within the cluster groups between schools in terms of can help in clarifying learning quality of education imparted, goals, in identifying learning difficulties in peer observation www.lxl.in

and in suggesting measures for is an area where educationists experienced and committedremediation. Exchange of ideas should be concerned about teachers from within the clusterthrough books, Information and providing quality education to all schools can help raise the bar,Communications Technology, irrespective of class, creed and motivate staff and students topreparation of lesson plans religion. Change is the need of achieve greater heights.and designing of question the hour; especially when we are A sustainable framework:papers all can bring parity in educating young people who are The concept has to be wellthe quality of education across out to conquer the unknown, live thought out and will needschools. Cluster based activities in space stations perhaps even strong scaffolding. Clusteringand support can be effective live in Mars. But this change cannot be arbitrary. Sustainablestrategies for integrating should be for all. programs will have to be workednew teaching methods. out and all involved in thisGeographical proximity can Clustering can experiment should be aware ofhelp in frequent meetings and be used as an the nature and source of theirexchanges, building bridges effective tool to authority. Those in the fieldthat will lead to a greater cross raise student of education should not viewfertilisation of ideas. It will potential and this as a ploy to weaken therequire great patience and time. facilitate student disadvantaged in the educationIf clustering has to work, egos engagement in sector by restricting the numberwill have to be sublimated and their learning of cluster schools and closingcomplexes shelved. Advances in Technology: the remaining as being unviable.Managements/Institutions: Traditional teaching will not Schools that cater to theEffective managements that suffice and for a creative and disadvantaged section of theaspire for a greater vision and innovative approach to the society should become a part ofgoals are needed to make teaching learning process the cluster that include so calledclustering effective. In today’s cooperation is essential. premium schools for mutualworld of increased cooperation Technological advances will benefit.among nations, educational have to be harnessed to bring There should be a consensusinstitutions cannot work in together schools with diverse on what constitutes qualityisolation. Competition where cultures with students belonging education, effective teacherinstitutions compete and vie with to different socio economic training, resource allocation andeach other to remain amongst groups. ICT is an invaluable good infrastructure.the top, often serves as a spur tool for achieving curricular Strategies to improve classroomto innovation, but at the cost objectives and developing quality and continuousof quality for all. The field of thinking skills. A pool of monitoring and follow up areeducation should not contribute essential for the success ofto the rat race syndrome as is clustering.happening in other sectors. This10 www.lxl.in

It will not work if perceptions needed to make clustering a May 2017differ and there is no equality success. equal chance in spearheadingamongst the member schools of educational change.a cluster. The smaller the clusters Effective Many countries in South andand the more such clusters, managements South East Asia have adoptedthe more they can impact that aspire for a this method by formulating theirpositively on innovation and greater vision and own criteria for improvement.quality improvement. Common goals are needed Policy decisions, consultationsacademic programs and exam to make clustering with concerned groups andschedules can be facilitated. guidelines should be framedClustering can also help in effective before clustering is introduced.fostering a culture of excellence Cluster formations: The focus however shouldas schools learn from each other Cluster designs may vary from be on learning technologies,and emulate what is best in fields there being a permanent lead development of new educationallike academics, sports and co- school around which other tools, teacher education andcurricular activities. Clustering schools are clustered to or enhancement of studenthelps in capacity building having a lead school in rotation potential. Great benefits canand creates opportunities for so that all schools get an accrue to schools withinlearning, building on individual the cluster if all are equalstrengths of schools. participants in this excitingStrong leaders with a vision venture. Introspection andand school managements are analysis will help in identifying lacunae in the program so that appropriate solutions can be created to address them. Recognition for quality and innovative strategies will also motivate the members of the cluster to perform better. Parental involvement in community activities and awareness campaigns conducted by schools can facilitate resource mobilisation. Perhaps the time has come for all stakeholders in the field of education to join hands and work cooperatively to meet the many challenges faced in today’s globalized world. Clustering can offer one such solution!11 [email protected]

OPTIMIZING SUPPORT SYSTEMS Mrs. Bijoya Baksi and Mrs. K. JaiswalMrs. Bijoya Baksi has had a “Governance and leadership are and working in tandem with thelong association of over 30 the yin and the yang of successful affiliated Board, helps the schoolyears with school education. organisations.” Effective School to be in sync with the currentAn alumnus of La Martniere Governance is all about having education policies. It is importantGirls School and IT College a strategic vision, a sense of to inject into the system, theLucknow, she is a post-graduate direction and formulating high- directives that come from thein English Literature with her level goals and policies. Good higher authorities so that policy-core competencies being school governance is also making becomes smooth andoutstanding organizational about directing and overseeing clear to all. Organizing activitiesskills, multitasking, a high level the administrative body to like Board-driven Teacherof creativity, strong people-skills, ensure that the organization is Training Workshops, sendinga positive attitude and her love achieving the desired outcomes teachers to become Master-for children. and is acting to meet with Trainers, hosting national level societal aspirations prudently, events in sports etc. makes theShe is a recipient of The ethically and legally in the best school a trusted partner of theNational Award for Teachers interests of the stakeholders, i.e. Board and an established and(2007-08), Jewel of India Award students, teachers, and parents. reliable school in the community.(2009), Best Principal Award Strong support systems, within Regular reading of the circularsfrom National Science Olympiad and out of the dominion of the on the Board’s website, and(2012/ 2013/ 2014/2015) and school, need to be developed implementation of the directivesEminent Educationist Award in order to help in efficient given therein, helps the schoolfrom Education Council of governance. to remain abreast with the times.India(2016). Working in tandem with Boards New policies and changes of Education that are introduced must beAs a Principal, she has The secret to success is proactively incorporated into thedeveloped innovative curriculum constancy of purpose. As a school systems, so that therefor the gifted and the weak policy, following the directives are no hiccups or roadblockschildren and has also knit a in the way ahead. The conductteam of educators who have astrong commitment to the causeof education. In this article forMENTOR, Mrs. Baksi along withMrs. Jaiswal (Creative Director,Navrachna School Vadodaraand Co-Author of this article)share the various aspects ofschool governance and howschool management must bestreamlined.12 www.lxl.in

May 2017of examinations confirming to faith and trust should be created expression, for all who work inthe format prescribed by the at all levels by the people on top that organization. Team buildingBoard, proper declaration of of the hierarchy. exercises, collaborative workresults, implementation of CCE/ The Dynamic School Leader and peer-learning must beASL/Practical Examinations etc. The school leader must ensure applied to both teacher andensures a healthy interaction that teachers are exposed to the taught. Open door policy towith the Board, and the School latest technology and teaching listen to concerns and to actbecomes a reliable and credible tools. His/her role is to create quickly on feedback is required.institution for the community. thought leaders and change- Parents’ views and suggestions agents who will become the must be respected and taken The parent body skilled mentors that the child of into consideration. which consists today requires. The leader must The selection process of of people from invest in the enrichment of the teachers should be fair and different fields of teaching fraternity to promote uniform. They should be expertise becomes excellence in the academic or trained, paid well, and kept a strong resource co-curricular performance of updated with new pedagogy for strengthening the student fraternity. To get techniques. Service record systems in the the best results, there has to books must be maintained be a democratic set-up, where from day one and the Annual school there is freedom of thought and Confidential report of each andActive Involvement of the www.lxl.inTrustees/ManagementCommitteeThe Management Committee islike the pivot of the family. Themembers have to understandthe pulse and the needs of theorganization and draw from thesupport systems that exist inthe school. HR policies mustbe in place and clear to everyemployee of the organization.A benevolent attitude thatunderstands the needs ofall stakeholders leads to thesmooth running of a well-oiledmachinery. An atmosphere of13

every employee of the school timings and event schedules Accounts Section. Though mostmust be maintained. Incentives helps in keeping the parents institutions have moved overbased on performance, and well-informed thus avoiding any to technology and paperlessannual increments should be misunderstandings. administration, the Accountanthigh-up on the agenda. Staff On the same note, it is important has a very major role to play. She/get-togethers and recreation is a to take care of the facilities he should be loyal and honest,means of ensuring that the team that make the school a ticking who can be entrusted withis well knit and represents the organization. The Admin must sensitive information and properschool as one. ensure constant water supply, handling of funds. It must beA Sound Administration for clean drinking water, installation ensured that proper billing andSystematic Implementation of CCTV and Fire Alarms, filing system be maintained. FeeEvery organization must have a conduction of Fire Safety collection, making online/offlinevery sound administrative body. Drills and Evacuation Drills, payments and maintaining billsWhat makes a good school is upkeep of the Play Ground and and records, auditing, creatingthe proper handling of finances, Sports Facilities etc. Liaising the Annual Budget is the job ofhaving transparency of systems, with different government the Manager Accounts. Liaisinglaying down clear-cut policies, departments and the District with the banks and keepinghaving excellent communication Education Officer leads to a abreast with the new changes,systems and infrastructure which positive synergy between the taking timely decisions andis conducive to the growth and school and these organizations. acting in accordance with thelearning of children. Investing laid down norms helps to keepin technology is imperative for Staff get- trouble away.schools since it is the tool that togethers andimproves and accelerates the recreation is A Robust IT Departmentworking of an organization today. With the huge revolution inThe Administration should have a means of the world of technology, everyStandard Operating Procedures ensuring that the organization has to employfor all departments. A sturdy team is well knit proper Communication Systems,Recruitment and Admission and represents Academic ManagementPolicy helps to streamline affairs. the school as one Systems, Library Automation,The Manager Administration On-line Fee Collection Software,should have a hands-on grip of A Systematic Accounts Educational Software, use ofthe different operations of school Department Social Networking Applications,administration. His/Her clear Another important cog in Tracking Systems etc. whichcommunication to the parent the wheel of good school help seamless connectivity withfraternity regarding the transport governance is an efficient parents, society, press, media,systems, the holidays, school etc. Regular updating of the14 School Website is a must. www.lxl.in

Parent Community as a strong face of the school through their May 2017Pillar communication with the society. Environment Protection, DrugParents represent a major part They are the ambassadors of the Awareness Campaigns, Anti-of the society in which we live. school, and thus their nurturing Corruption Drives, Voting RightsSocietal aspirations from the and grooming must be an Awareness, etc. can be carriedschool will be fulfilled if we pay integral part of their personality forward by children since theyheed to parents’ suggestions development. are the most effective medium.and inputs. It is the parent body The school leader must tap thiswhich consists of people from An atmosphere huge resource to the fullest,different fields of expertise that of faith and so as to create a concerned,becomes a strong resource conscious, awakened andfor strengthening systems in trust should be informed youth.the school. Some key areas created at all A Satisfied Ancillary Staffwhere parents’ support can be levels by the Class IV employees play atapped are: Career Counselling people on top of strong role as support systems.of the senior students of the hierarchy The Administrative body shouldthe school, helping in Major Any Government initiatives/ care for their needs of PF, ESI,School Functions, etc. Doctor drives like Swacchata Abhiyaan, Medical, Leave Documentalparents can conduct Medical records. Their remunerationCheck-ups; experts in various should be timely, fair andprofessional fields can help transparent.in enriching students with Sturdy Mental Health Supportguidance, information and skill Another very major supportdevelopment workshops. that improves the climate ofStudent Repository a school is the CounsellingChildren are the key players Department. Advocating Childwho help the school achieve its rights, following RTE, providingmission and realize the goals for inclusion of differently abledenvisioned. They carry forward and working in concurrence withthe legacy of the institution the Mental Health Act makes theby performing at various School an empathetic space andplatforms and creating a niche much sought after institution.and a positive reputation for The Magic Formula: Stability inthe school. They become the Flexibility Finally, Change is the New Order, therefore adapting to change is crucial for any organization to succeed, since the saying goes: To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.15 [email protected]

COVER STORY THE POWER OF EDUCATION Mr. Ashok Pandey Mr. Ashok Pandey is working in the school sector for the past three decades. He did Masters in Physics from Allahabad University and Consultancy Management from BITS, Pilani. The Ahlcon International School that has been headed by Mr. Pandey for the past 14 years is ranked among the best Schools in the country. Currently he is serving as the Chairman, National Progressive Schools’ Conference (NPSC). He has worked, in the past, with Mayo College, Ajmer, Delhi Public School, Jammu and Indian Embassy School, Saudi Arabia, among others. He has authored a book called the Pedagogical Life-Essays in Educating India, described by many as an educational travelogue. Recipient of ‘National Award’ (2012) and ‘CBSE Award’ (2009) forhis contributions in education, Mr. Pandey has keen interest in School transformation, professionaldevelopment of teachers, technology integration, Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and climatechange. Widely travelled to Germany, Singapore, Sri Lanka, UAE, Thailand, Vietnam and Tanzania, he hasled Principals’ delegations to the University of Malta in Europe, University of Rice in Houston, USA and tothe Institute of Leadership, Nottingham, UK. Just recently he participated in the India Leadership Dialogueheld in Melbourne, Australia.Take us through your early life, education began in a Railway teachers played a brilliant role inupbringing and education during administered school in Bihar shaping me into the person I amyour time. and later in a primary school in today. I was a peer leader for theSome 33 years ago, I chose to my village located in UP. I am most of my school years and thatwork with young kids immediately proud of my early schooling brought in me the qualities ofafter my Masters in Physics from because it was spread across sharing, caring and leadership.Allahabad University, which villages, towns and cities and I am grateful that the importanceonce upon a time was known this brought in me the necessary of value of money and readingas the Oxford of the East. Later sensitivity about inclusiveness, the stories of great Indians wereI did my Masters in Education educational opportunity and planted in us right from theand Management. My early the importance of hardship. My beginning. Any challenges that you faced at work? The 21st century classrooms gives insights at all levels; learners, teachers and medium of instruction. Challenges that we face today are; teacher preparedness, differential teaching-learning strategies, creating engaging content and promoting self-directed learning. Parental aspirations are at an all- time high. Leadership What directed you into entering16 www.lxl.in

May 2017the field of education? • Learning the Art of Living leader from it.It was through my teachers that • Enquiry /Exploration/ Creativity My primary inspiration comesI realised that there is a teacher • Fulfilment in life from my deep rooted sense ofin me and from there my interest responsibility and commitment.in teaching spread wings and Setting an I believe education has thetook off. As a research scholar example and potential to transform liveslater, I learnt from my professor practising what because it has transformedin Allahabad University that the one preaches mine. I believe I must make abiggest challenge lies in working are the keys difference to the lives of others.with young minds. For all the to effective My parents, my teachers andyears in my career, this one my students are all sources ofdictum has ruled my thoughts. leadership inspiration. ‘Divaswapna’ byMy teachers were a great source Gujju Bhai comes to my mindof motivation. Their dedication, Where do you draw your first as an inspirational book.sacrifice and missionary zeal inspiration from? Tell us about This short story of a passionateinspires me till today. a recent book you read or a teacher who struggled againstWhat according to you is the recent film that inspired you and all the odds to make a differencepurpose of education? your key takeaways as a school is a must read for all prospective• Knowledge acquisition teachers. ‘The Smartest Kids in the World’ by Amanda17 Ripley gives an insight into the aspirations that smart children have across the globe. ‘Schools that Learn’ by Peter Senge brings an account of the making of a dynamic educational institution. It is very well written and has a good narrative flow; I would recommend it to all school leaders. ‘The Finnish Lessons’ by Pasi Sahlberg, an authentic story of the success of Finnish schools. I bought the book after having attended a wonderful session by the author at King’s college, London. ‘Good to Great’ by Jim Collins is my all- time favourite. Thanks to Collin’s ideas, research and conclusions www.lxl.in

I am always reminded that being ourselves to making our school platforms are very useful. Peoplegood could severely hamper the best place for the students are looking up to the principalyour journey from being great. to learn and grow. for leadership guidanceWhat are some of the avenues and mentoring. All kinds ofyou learn from? Life teaches us the leadership is about learning first.There are several. I am a life- greatest lessons... You grow and let others growlong learner. I have done 4 online we may not have should be the motto. Setting an(MOOC) courses. Also attended control over all the example and practising whatseveral leadership programmes tests, but you can one preaches are the keys toincluding IIM(A) and College either let the lesson effective leadership. Once done,of Leadership, Nottingham, devour or empower the principal is eligible to initiateU.K. Regular contribution grooming and professionalto magazines, newspapers, you development of staff. At Ahlconspeaking assignments, blogs How would you groom teachers/ we have developed a veryand networking events are all staff to become leaders of comprehensive in-servicelearning avenues for me. tomorrow? school-based education for theGovernance An effective principal needs teachers.What is the advice you would to grow himself/herself first. Agive to your teachers/ staff at the quick reflection would suggest What are the key challenges thatbeginning of each session? what areas need improvement. you go through as a Principal/A teacher’s vision must align with ICT training, new pedagogies, School Leader and how wouldthat of the school. The reason for management principles, online you overcome those?a school is the students. The skills development courses, This clearly is a part of changemandate for each teacher must research, the list is endless. management. The first step,be to ensure joyful, relevant and School leaders must read and therefore, is to communicatevalue based learning experience write. They should be part of a well, the very purpose of thatfor each student. Teachers must professional network to learn change and new programme.regularly reflect on their work. and grow and at the same time Second, we have to encourageThe purpose of schooling for kids contribute to the education the early adopters. The successmust resonate with the purpose sector. Exchanging visits to lies in ensuring the stakeholdersof teaching. Children come to schools and learning from the that the new programme is inschool to acquire knowledge, best practices are very helpful. the interest of all and alignedexplore and experiment, learn Enhancing the social media with the overall vision. A goodthe art of living and prepare for visibility is also essential. Online implementation strategy withlife. Our curriculum, pedagogy courses through Cousera, well-defined timelines must beand school experiences must edX, Udacity and other MOOC in place. People responsible forrespond to that. We commit executing the new programme18 may have training needs, and additional resources may be www.lxl.in

May 2017required too. process changed from your times in plenty. Skills required today to now or a decade ago to now? for the teacher are certainlyWhat are the activities that How do you/ the school meet the different. From the student’sstudents engage in? What are current needs of students? point of view, teachers must beits relevance/ importance in their I have never questioned the engaging, compassionate anddevelopment? wisdom of the teachers. Has hands on.I would highlight only the unique it changed drastically? I think How is the school infrastructureones; Human Rights Club, not. I shall state the differences. set up? What are the latestIntegrity club, MUN, Sustainable From yesterday’s time one of tangible deliverables offered byDevelopment Goals Club, the major changes has been the school to meet the demandsInteract Club; clubs focusing the source of knowledge being of students today?on social and environmental not just teachers anymore. Ahlcon International School issensitisation. International Knowledge is at your fingertips building a learning environmentexchange programme with now as opposed to being solely where the teachers and studentsGermany, Australia, UK, and dependent on teachers and are collaboratively involved,Denmark also focuses on libraries. Another major change fostering challenging academiccollaboration on global issues. is the level of expectation that and co-academic practices. has increased on both sides. Some of them are as follows:Innovation There are changes in attitudes • Curriculum progression sentHow has the teaching-learning but choices are also available19 www.lxl.in

to the parents by mapping the platform for self-expression and global competencies aresyllabus on a weekly basis in and encouraging them to the focus areas.the form of Weekly flow thus write, creating their blogsgiving them a bird’s eye view and designing the schoolof the entire syllabus. magazine. • Building a participatory• Reinventing the programs classroom culture by valuing All educatorsand activities through their opinions, involving them should beginwell-designed formative in research work on various calling themselvesassessment plans which subject topics, permitting as Nation Buildersinclude inter-disciplinary them to design Self- and do everythingactivities, community assessments. that the roleoutreach programs, practical • Cultivating essential skillshands-on experiences, by giving them exposure in entails varied fields and involvingpeer assessment, theatre in them in programs like lifeeducation, model making, skills club, value educationproject and group activities, club and other subject related Pedagogy clubs.source-based analysis and • Well-designed professional What are the key values that a development programme. school/ institute must instil inopen book tests. students? How does the school What is the one thing that• C o m p e t e n c y - b a s e d you would like to/are trying to deal with cultural exchange learning which caters to introduce in the school blending programs and ideas across the remedial classes for with the latest trends so that the globe? What are the other the underperformers and students may be prepared for spaces to learn? enrichment classes for the challenges of tomorrow? Global Competencies, students aspiring for the A1 Values inclusion, soft skills, Sustainable Development Goals grade. research and presentation (SDGs) are the key values skills, 4cs (Communication,• Reflective teaching in thform of Collaboration, Critical Thinking taken across the school and exit slips to evoke constructive and Creativity), good citizenship all disciplines. Students have feedback from the students carried out several projects on and accordingly modifying the social/environmental importance teaching practices. in collaboration with students• Instilling imagination in from Germany, Denmark, the millennial learners Finland, and Australia. by providing them with a20 www.lxl.in

May 2017 7QtêtUe-àIC-têKte I believe MENTOR in conversation with Mr. Ashok Pandey education has the potential I would describe education as • Evaluating their learning to transform A means to a fulfilling life styles and acknowledging lives because their unique talent You are an active member of it has the National Progressive School Give us a technological transformed Conference, India. Share advancement in recent times with us 3 important highlights that you think has changed the mine resulting from the partnership way children learn. Why is it with government and training important?What is that one strong belief you bodies? Accessibility to learninghave and what is the message resourcesyou would like to give to fellow • Opportunity for a private- It has done several things:educators/ institutions in the public collaboration enriching the available content;making? responding to diverse needs;Indians by nature have very • NPSC schools have requisite Providing assessment anddistinct attitudes and aspirations resources and the school feedback.from that of the rest of the world. principals are leaders in Balancing work and family life;They have huge goals and their field. They are working what are the 3 things required toundying motivation to prove relentlessly to improve the strike the perfect balance?and excel. That makes all the quality of education. We have I can only say what is applicabledifference. The problem is that been able to showcase it. to me. I am not quite convinceda vast majority of our children that work and home are twoare excluded from the access • The education secretary Mr pans of a balance requiring ato education and opportunity. As Anil Swarup said recently, balancing act. It’s a continuumeducators, we are in a unique ‘private schools’ quality and one practices, prioritization,position to make a difference. All can be scaled up in the a clear distinguishing betweeneducators should begin calling government schools”, the important and urgent.themselves as Nation Builders NPSC schools fit adequately Your biggest learning from lifeand do everything that the role in this scheme. has beenentails. Practising humility is also Practice humility and beinga very vital quality to have as What are the 3 qualities that available to help. Both go handeducators and leaders but there schools should look at nurturing in hand to help one succeed inis a flipside if you are humble but in students for them to be life. Besides, humility is like ayou are not available to work for prepared for tomorrow? cup that holds all other virtues.people then your humility is of nouse. If you are ready to help but • Sound and deep academicyou are not humble then no one knowledgewould like to seek your help.‘Life is the mother of learning!’ • Art of living, values andYour take? employability skillsOh Yes, undoubtedly! AllysonPartridge puts it more succinctly, • Lifelong learning‘Life teaches us the greatestlessons and gives us the best What are the 3 key qualities thatgifts. We may not have control educators must have to connectover all the tests, but you can with students today?either let the lesson devour orempower you.” The purpose of • Knowledge and practice ofeducation, therefore, is to have required technologya fulfilled life. • Maintaining an emotional connect, engaging with the students.21 [email protected]

SCHOOL LEADERSHIP IBSENINOGT JEUNSOTUAGNHEDUCATOR Colonel Sudip MukerjeeColonel Sudip Mukerjee is an The goal of education is not to Generalarmy veteran with over 21 years solve yesterday’s problems, but Since early times, educationin uniform on various locations to tackle problems in the future has been an integral part ofand appointments including one that we have little knowledge society. The Greek philosophersyear with the United Nations in of today, using technology Socrates, Plato and Aristotle,Sudan, 2 years as a Trainer and that hasn’t been invented yet. the Vedic Rishis, Confucius, LaoVice President of an airline. He Given this, what is needed in Tzu and countless other thinkersholds, among other qualifications, education is neither evolution have contributed to what we area Masters Degree in Psychology nor reform, but radical revolution today. Gregory Bateson callsand is an NLP Master Practitioner – in both what is taught and how human beings ‘Time Binders’and Trainer, a Consultant and a it is taught. And this has to be in the sense that we bind timeCoach at his company Anchor done without knocking the whole together by way of language, byNLP, based out of Noida. He is a system into disarray, but making passing on our learning to ourprolific writer of social issues and sure that equilibrium between the progeny and thereby becomingbrings out his expertise in human existing working system and the better and better versions ofbehavior to offer simple solutions changed model is maintained humankind.through this article in MENTOR. at all times. Therefore it is Education prepares us to pertinent for all School Leaders contribute to society and to up skill themselves not only enhance it. By attending various as Educators, but Innovators educational facilities, we are and System Developers working prepared for and contribute to within the confines of the system. its development. In case you want to be an architect, you attend Architecture classes at a university to learn basic knowledge in construction and designing. If you want to be a doctor, you go to a Medical College and even to join the military you attend the Indian Military Academy. What we need to understand as thinkers is the fact that, what is more important than vocation is the holistic development that schools and colleges provide – the ability to rationally think and solve problems and to communicate our thoughts coherently and positively while respecting others’ perspectives even if we don’t agree with them.22 www.lxl.in

Current State borrowed money on universities May 2017Education has been a challenge only to receive sub-standard the crucible in which innovationsin our country and the lack of it education which obviously does are forged. Promoting creativityhas been blamed on all sorts of not help them get the job of their and incentivizing innovationevil for hundreds of years. In the choice. As a volunteer counselor through our educationalearly part of the 20th century, on an Emotional Wellness institutions is the first step towardsNobel Laureate Rabindranath platform, most of the people broadening and deepeningTagore wrote lengthy articles who came to me for help were the impact of innovation in ourabout how the Indian education jobless B.Tech graduates with society and economy. In largesystem needs to change. The suicidal tendencies. Such is the scale education systems suchirony is that from the colonial situation. We are just regularly as ours, catering to a vasttimes of the British Raj, very churning out Engineers but population with relatively limitedfew things have changed. We not ensuring that they have the resources, is a major challenge.have established IITs, IIMs, law requisite skills to be employed. At the same time, with rapidschools and other institutions advances in new technologies,of excellence. Astonishingly so The goal of changing needs of the economy,many students now routinely education is not to and the very presence of thescore high marks in the XII solve yesterday’s challenges identified, the sectorBoard exams that even students problems, but to itself presents a fertile ground forwith 90 plus percentage find it pioneering innovations.difficult to get into the colleges tackle problems On a larger scale, innovation willof their choice. in the future that create a seismic shift that affectsRote learning still plagues our many aspects of our lives.system, students study only to we have little As Educators, not only do wescore marks in exams, and to knowledge of today, have to innovate, but teach ourcrack exams like IIT JEE, AIIMS students how to do the same.or CLAT. As opposed to the using advanced Maintaining the Systemvery few centers of educational technology Educators have an unenviableexcellence, there are thousands job of keeping the systemof schools, colleges and Innovation running. It’s a lack lusteruniversities that do not meet At its core, innovation is the process set in stone. Studentseven minimum standards. process of making lives better. join schools and then collegesWe, in India, are currently facing Whether it is a small improvement to get a degree as a means fora crisis in the field of quality for one person or a breakthrough livelihood. Principals and Deanseducation. And a crisis it is for society, persistently asking of colleges are answerable tobecause we are in a country “what’s next?” pushes us to Boards and Government bodieswhere students spend their strive towards a better future. and hence cannot be trulyparent’s entire life savings and To use a metaphor, education is independent of how they run their23 www.lxl.in

institutions. Therefore revamping skilled themselves for decades? Innovation can be brought aboutthe education system at the level What needs to be done is that not only through the contentof the Head of an Institution is not these educators need to take of educational courses beingpossible. The challenge that the their skill up a notch. delivered but also througheducators face is to work within the mode of delivery. My wifethe constraints of the system The goal of the was a Mathematics teacher inand also allow innovation to education system various CBSE schools and evenblossom. Thus, being just an should be to create though these schools were allEducator is just not enough. mandated to run Continuous entrepreneurs, and Comprehensive EvaluationProfessional Administration innovators, artists, (CCE) model of Summative andYou can’t hire a business scientists, thinkers Formative Assessments, theprofessional at the rates of a teachers (and on more occasionsschool Principal. And since and writers than not, the Principals) werethe principal is not clued up Need to innovate reluctant to follow the dictum andin business management, he Comprehensive research in the schools did a ‘tick mark’ modelfaces the primary challenge West shows that learning music of CCE continuing with the oldof mapping education as a drastically improves analytical style, and keeping the studentsbusiness model to bring in skills of a child at the same in the same 20th century modelprofessionalism in administering time increases self-esteem and of education. We need to ensureEducation. creativity. However, tell a parent that any innovation is followed to have the child attend music throughout its implementation.We hear about hospitality lessons and parents will be So what about innovation inmanagement, healthcare annoyed as that would reduce higher education? Only verymanagement, event the time available to study. little is possible within themanagement, aircraft It is heartening to see some government framework andmanagement and even image early school systems adopting current educational system.management – but education innovative styles and diversity Outside that system, of coursemanagement? No. Do you in teaching methods due to the innovation has been takingthink that education will boom absence of exams in the early place. In fact, outside thelike the media industry, travel school stage; and parents taking ‘system’, education businessesor the hospitality industries – if the initiative in the same context have benefited from economiespeople managing it are old head as well. of scale and attracted talent.masters and deans who have The best examples of this will benever attained skills of business the various coaching centers.management and have not up24

Education in alternative rewards what deserves the May 2017career options like dancing, highest academic accolade. will be more popular, and willsinging and acting have also Deviance is discouraged. Risk acquire more students. Genuinemushroomed and some brands taking is mocked. Our testing teaching skills should not beare even more expensive and marking systems should restricted to one classroom orthan college education. There make the shift to recognizing one school, there is a need tohave been various brands original contributions, in the form increase the visibility of goodthat specialize in teaching of creativity, problem solving, teachers and so that only thelanguages and providing valuable original research and good remain standing and thedifferent levels of certificates innovation. Even though the aim poor and mediocre perish.showing the student’s expertise of learning is performance and Thereby increasing the quality ofin the language (Alliance not replication of the knowledge, education.Francais, IELTS). These brands our education systems promoteshave innovated, scaled up and memorizing above originality. Way Aheadfaced competition and the ones We need leaders and knowledgethat have emerged are battle- What we need entrepreneurs in teachinghardened and ready to push to understand as positions, not salaried peoplethrough barriers. One of the thinkers is the fact trying to hold on to their mantle.important reasons that made that what is more In a few years’ time with thethis possible was the fact that internet entering all other fields,they grew in unregulated areas, important than students will be able to discoverwithout the UGC prescribing vocation is the holistic and choose the teachers theystandards, syllabuses, number want. This would completelyof seats and dictating salary for development that change the classroom scenarioteachers/trainers. schools and colleges of yesteryears, when you were stuck with boring and sometimes provide incompetent teachers. Remuneration of Teachers Companies like Coursera or 2USkill Based Education It is high time to encourageStudents need to be exposed teaching as a lucrative in the US tie up with the bestto life skills from an early profession. The internet has universities there – such asage. Especially in schools. created this possibility – the Stanford and Harvard to offerSkills like finance, research, performance of a teacher Massive Online Open Coursescommunication, business, now need not be restricted to which are globally recognized.self defense, cooking, music, a small classroom. Now thedancing and everything that performance of a teacher can The goal of the educationprepares you for the real world. be opened up for the world system should be to create to see. The better teacher entrepreneurs, innovators, artists, scientists, thinkers andReward Creativity and Original writers who can establish theWork foundation of a knowledge basedOur education system rarely economy rather than the low- quality service provider nation running BPOs for developed countries while our cream attend American Universities and contribute to their GDP. We need Educators to rise above the requirements of the day, and look ahead in time to challenge themselves and their students to solve the problems of tomorrow. Then, and only then, will we be fulfilling our roles as Educators.25 [email protected]

INNOVATION NATURE’S INVALUABLE LESSONS Mr. Satya RameshPresently working as an When you have already tried with an underlying message forAssistant Professor of your hand at Power Point mankind which was decodedPsychology in Amity University, presentations, class activities by our ancient sages thousandsGwalior; Mr. Satya Ramesh and everything inside and of years ago. Their intimate andhas been a teacher of both outside the box, how do you intense relationship with nature isPsychology and Mathematics reinvent teaching? How do you perhaps the only reason behindfor Senior Secondary and keep the fire going? our success as an evolutionarySecondary classes respectively I want you to stop and look phenomenon. An attemptfor the past sixteen years. With around you. Feel the air fill up to understand the human-a qualification in Psychology, your lungs, feel the diaphragm environment relationship in itsEducation and Counseling moving up and down. Through actual sense would unfold a lotand a keen interest in those this process you have already of invaluable lessons which nofields, Mr. Ramesh shares with learned a lesson or two about educational curriculum of todayMENTOR his perspective on patience. There is a lesson could claim to have scaled.how we can muster inspiration hidden in every part of nature. Rivers: Most of the rivers in thefrom our surroundings to Mother Nature embodies a world have their origin in thereinvent teaching styles and huge reservoir of fascinating mountains. Rivers originate withdraws a parallel to learning from resources which includes a purpose and their ultimatenature. mountains, rivers, oceans, trees, aim is to join the ocean (Sagar the land, wind, fire, clouds and Sangam). In order to achieve this,26 everything under and above the a river has to flow continuously sky. Each of these resources has be it through valleys, mountains, a well-defined function along forests or plains. During the course, it experiences moments filled with pleasure and pain, yet what matters is that the journey never gets interrupted (unless humans construct dams). This quality of perseverance is what one has to learn from a river. Every individual should find out the ultimate aim of one’s life trying to make it both purposeful and meaningful by diligently fulfilling his/her duties at all times till the end. “A river cuts through rock, not because of its power, but because of its persistence.” Oceans: The five oceans of the world covering more than three- fourths of the earth’s surface support not just the aquatic life but also mankind in innumerable ways. Oceans never lose their www.lxl.in

May 2017identity irrespective of how many “Waves are inspiring not only those who deserve and notrivers come and join them. Every because they rise and fall. But those who simply desire.human brain is like the ocean because each time they rise and “It’s not the mountains wewhich receives innumerable fall, they never fail to rise again.” conquer: but ourselves!”sensory inputs through the five -Swami Vivekananda Prithvi/Land: An epitomesense organs (rivers). However, of immense patience andthe ultimate power to decide An attempt to tolerance supporting mankindand respond always rests with understand the in every possible way withoutthe brain without losing its human-environment expecting anything in return.identity. Oceans contain the relationship... No place on this earth has beenmost invaluable treasure within would unfold a lot of left untouched (explored) byand are always prepared to invaluable lessons humans. Each exploration hasgive to those who dive deeper which no educational inspired mankind to sharpenin search of them. It implies that curriculum of today their thinking on how best towe humans spend a whole lot of could claim to have utilize (exploit). In the nameour life accumulating material of modernization, man haspossessions from the world scaled completely lost control overoutside not bothering about the Mountains: All mountains across his actions, not realizing thegreatest of the great treasures the world symbolize stability impending danger. Aren’t thereburied deep within each one of and strength of determination. instances where mankind hasus. Oceans never accumulate They have always stood in the gone to the extent of extendingthings which are of no use to path of mankind testing both the land into the seas thus creatingthem and even if generously physical and the mental strength. new landscapes? No advancedgiven to them by humans, they Never did they compromise and technology can prevent anddo not mind subtly rejecting by have always silently guided protect mankind from thepushing them off to their shores. the mountaineers to invoke the consequences of deforestation,It equally applies to us. We need spirit within which provides the mountaintop removals, illegalto have the ability to eliminate or necessary fuel to reach the mining etc. Better late thanreject things physical or mental pinnacle. It exemplifies that if never, let us all embark on a newwhich are of no use retaining one has to reach a destination journey to protect our motheronly the good. Ocean waves are however high or far it may be earth, limiting our desires,always energetic, never forget only through the process of retaining resources for thetheir limits and rarely do they reaffirmation; realizing the fact generations to come.take their extreme form (Tsunami that success accommodates “The real voyage of discoverywaves) only to remind humansabout their limits.27 www.lxl.in

consists not in seeking new felt but could never be seen. high time we realize the fact thatlandscapes, but in having new It is a mixture of various gases coexistence is the only way toeyes.”- Marcel Proust including the most important life survive.Akash/Space: One can find supporting element, Oxygen. “No one can realize howAkash everywhere be it inside Knowing well that human substantial the air is, until he feelsan earthen pot or a golden existence is impossible without its supporting power beneathvessel, inside a hut or a royal Oxygen even for a few seconds him. It inspires confidence atpalace. This quality of infinite why do we have to be reminded once.”- Otto Lilienthalexpansion breaking barriers always to protect trees. Isn’t it Agni/Fire: Sun is the first thingof racial discrimination is what the birth right of trees even to that comes to our mind when weone has to learn from one of this coexist with us? Who gave us think of fire. It is a huge ball ofmajor element of the universe. the right to pollute the air which gases and also a major source“We are stars wrapped in skin even is the property of all other of light and heat for every– The light you are seeking has living beings? We humans can living organism on this planet.always been within.” never think of answers to these Fire symbolizes purity and weVayu/Wind: An element of the questions until and unless we know very well that all metalsuniverse which can only be personally become victims of (including gold) have to undergo nature’s wrath. Let us not wait heating during the process of for that moment to come. It is28 www.lxl.in

May 2017purification. This equally applies and at least now make every “We never noticed the beautyeven to mankind. All human attempt to move closer to live of nature because we were tooefforts should be in the direction in the safe hands of our mother busy trying to re-create it.”of purifying the mind and the nature. Only then can we live a It is vital to teach children whatsoul, letting all the vices within life which is secure and fulfilled is inside the box before weus to be destroyed in the flames helping ourselves derive the explore what is outside it. Theof fire ignited by our knowledge meaning of our existence. inclusion of value of natureand wisdom. and its presence has been“The most powerful weapon on Waves are more often than not overlookedearth is the human soul on fire.” inspiring not lately due to the advent of-Ferdinand Foch because they technology and other relatedEvery natural entity, small or big, rise and fall. But man made manifestations.living or non-living has come because each We, as academicians of thewith a message for mankind. time they rise and leaders of tomorrow need toWhat matters is how open we fall….they never acknowledge this gap and fulfillare to learn from what surrounds fail to rise again our responsibility towards aus? Let us realize how far we secure future for the environmenthave moved away from reality we live and breathe in.29 [email protected]

MENTOR THOUGHTS INTERNET SOCIETY: INDIAN KID’S LIVES ONLINE Dr. Sagneet KaurDr. Sagneet Kaur is working with From the world of reality to the on the Internet, per hour: 40LXL Ideas in the research and world of ‘virtuality’, technology seconds to 1 minutedevelopment domain. She holds has taken us far ahead of our • Peak hours of internet usage:a Ph.D. in Psychology, and has times with regards to accessing 5 PM to 8 PMmore than 9 years of experience information about anything. • A child sends 18 SMS andin the area of cognitive With the advent of internet the receives 20 promotionaldevelopmental and applied ease of getting information SMS’s every day.psychology. Her doctoral and becoming social became The above mentioned trendsresearch entitled “Facilitating a matter of just one click. is not limited to just accessingEgo-Identity Formation in With the global reach, ease information online but also forAdolescents: A Psycho- of accessibility and nature connecting, communicating,Educational Intervention” was of functionality, internet has interacting and socializing. Theto design and test the impact become an inseparable part of social networking sites serveof identity related intervention every individual’s life, especially the purpose for this. The liveson process of ego-identity children. of everyone are just a Facebookestablishment in adolescents. Research (Varma, 2017) tabbing or Instagram page away, beShe was appointed Research the internet accessibility and it personal or professional.Intern/Fellow by Maulana Azad usability trends among kids in Today calling and askingNational Fellowhip, under the India, shows that: about a person’s whereaboutsUGC grant, which included is replaced by opening theirfull time teaching assignments • Around 98.8 % of school- social media page and gettingfor postgraduate students going children in urban areas updates on this platform. Socialin the university. In between have access to the internet, networking has become a majorshe has always maintained where 49.5 % of the them part of everyone’s life; keepingconnect with the industry by get access from home after oneself updated on their socialleveraging her skills in the school hours. media profile has become adomain of behavioral sciences major chore of every day routine.to develop marketing and • Nearly 43 % of school-goingpre-launch plans for various children access internet on For children this part ofcompanies. Applied psychology smart phones, followed by technology has become aand impact measurement have laptops, desktops and tablets. popular trend. Social networkingbeen her areas of major interest has become an importantthroughout her short career. In • Most of them use internet for routine of children’s andthis article of Mentor, she shares making school projects. Along teenager’s social life. Startingresearch driven facts related with that, it is also includes the morning with saying hello,to the usage of social media playing games, reading online hi and good morning to friendsby children in the age group of books, listening to music and or public in general, posting8-16. watching movies, using social wherever you go, whatever networking sites, accessing you do in the day till you sleep email. and bid good bye for the day to them. Through the medium • Some of the most popular of connecting and becoming applications that kids social ‘social networking’ brings download often were: along the ‘in trend’ terminology, Whatsapp, Youtube, which kids use a lot today, like Facebook, Snapchat, NDTV, “ping me, poke me, like me, Fifa 15, Candy crush, Learn to draw Lego Ninjago, GTA • Average time spent by a child30

share & subscribe, go live, With the advent of May 2017post, create profile, comment, internet and the media provides a platform tochat, LOL, OMG etc”. This has ease of getting children for expressing theirunofficially opened up a branch information views to a larger audience. Thisin linguistics; the internet slang. becoming social outright self-expression can became a matter make the people in authoritySome major facts and figures of just one click hear forcefully what they(Varma, 2017) which came out generally wish to leave unheard.of research on social networking Benefits of Social Networking:trends of children and teenagers Social networking brings each Among the other pros (AACAP,show that: other closer. Nothing is personal 2017), social networking and here; anything which is on your social media provides a:• Over 60% of 13-17 year olds account becomes available to • Sense of connection and have at least one profile whoever has access to your on a social networking site online account. Nowadays belongingness to family, (AACAP, 2017) people love to share their friends and peers. A sense personal self with social/public of belongingness also boosts• 59 % of children are social self, especially children. the child’s self-esteem and networking by the age of 10 Social networking comes with reduces anxiety. years (Mail Online, 2017) a heavy trail of pros and cons. A student of the University of • Using social networking sites• Facebook tops the list of Warwick (2017) rightly says encourages collaboration, favorite website for kids that this is the era of Digital sharing and participation and (54.1%) between the age age, he states that, “I believe improves learning outcomes. of 8-16 years followed by that the youth has always been WhatsApp (40%), and Twitter and always will be outspoken, • Develops a sense of identity (9.5%) and Instagram (8%) but social media has definitely and improves expression. and others (6.2%) (Telenor, provided a platform to broadcast 2017) those in a way the world has • Instills creativity among kids never experienced”. Social as the they create their profile• Average hours spent per kid pages, write posts, photo and on social media sites such video upload and so on. as WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Snapchat, YouTube: a Updates about current whopping 3.4 hours per day economic and political affairs, helps exploring values and• Most frequently visited ideas; takes action on issues. websites by a kid: Facebook. This also increases civic and com, Google.co.in, Flipkart. political engagement. com, Cricinfo.com Risks Related to Social Networking: Nothing is always rainbows and sunshine. Social networking has a wide array of disadvantages that follows its excessive usage. Research reveals 90% of children in India are surfing unregulated, unmonitored Internet and 76% are not aware of the Child Helpline number 1098(AACAP, 2017), as a result the risks that social digitization brings for kids become manifold. Some statistics on the above: • Increased vulnerability to “cyber bullying”, as around 15 % children complained of being bullied online whereas 10.41 % faced humiliation through picture/video that was31

uploaded on the Internet. I believe that the command of digital media in• High susceptibility to Cyber youth has been terms of his or her ability to use and always will be digital technology and media in security risk, as more than outspoken, and safe, responsible and effective 54.8 % children share their social media has manner (Digital Citizenship), passwords with friends, definitely provided creating digital ecosystem and whereas 92.6 % children turning ideas into reality (Digital share personal information them with a Creativity) and use digital media with strangers online. platform to solve global challenges and• Risk of identity theft, around create new opportunities (Digital 35 %children faced the Staying Safe on Social Entrepreneurship). problem of their account Networking Sites: being hacked, while 15.74 The good news after reading the Here are some ways you can % received inappropriate highly alarming issues related protect the child from harmful messages. to cyber security of our children social media activity:• Vulnerability to predatory is that the majority 89.3% of • Constantly monitor and adults children are willing to approach• Exposure to age inappropriate their parents or teachers in mentor child’s social media content, which can affect case they experience any activity their social and emotional cyber harm. As guardians, our • Discuss freely the pros and development. responsibility is to help kids cons of using social media• Reduced physical activity; low enjoy the sunny side of social with your child levels of pro-social behavior networking and avoid the cons • Guide them in their usage and and emotional development/ alongside. The need of the hour activity online in terms expression (Giedd, 2012). is to inculcate high levels of • Posts and videos and its 72% of children find it easier ‘Digital Quotient’ or ‘DQ’ (Park, privacy settings, to express emotion through 2017) among children, it is a • Sharing of passwords and emojis than written or oral measure of one’s facility and other personal information language (Ghosh, 2015). (like phone numbers and pictures),32 • Tone and content of posts updated, • Accepting friend requests and sharing personal identity online Children should be informed about the relevance of socializing in the physical world as opposed to virtual socializing. Encourage outdoor activities; going out, meeting friends or relatives, playing with them will inculcate empathy, social responsiveness (Giedd, 2012) and explorative behavior. As guardians, we should try to instill ‘Digital Lifeskills’ (Park, 2017) such as ability to manage a healthy online identity, time management for online engagement, detecting and handling cyber bullying, protecting oneself from cyber-attacks by keeping strong passwords, managing

May 2017and maintaining privacy, Restricting children from social References:distinguishing between good networking can increase their • American Academy of Child & Adolescentand harmful online content, curiosity to use it more whichunderstanding and managing might lead to unsupervised Psychiatry (AACAP, 2017).digital footprints and showing usage. This can make them • Giedd, J. N. (2012). The digital revolutiondigital empathy towards others. vulnerable to the risks rising out of social networking instead of and adolescent brain evolution. Journal of The usage of social enjoying its benefits. Rather than Adolescent Health, 51, 101–105. media develops a discouraging the use, informed • G hosh (2015). Internet Browsing Habits sense of identity and usage can be motivated among Among Indian Children Are Worrisome & improves expression children for making them feel Alarming!. Trak. In like they are ahead with others • Park. Y. (2016). 8 Digital Lifeskills we must and also nourish a sense of teach our children. World Economic Forum. belongingness and connection • Varma (2017). Habits of Indian School with society. Kids. Telenor India’s Webwise Survey. Telenor. • h t t p : / / w w w. d a i l y m a i l . c o . u k / n e w s / article-2552658/More-half-children-use- social-media-age-10-Facebook-popular- site-youngsters-join.html33 [email protected]

RTREA-DINEFININGE TEACHER Ms. Kalpa Kartik, Editor-in-Chief MENTOR Magazine, Director LXL Ideas World Health Organization advocated 10 Life skills many years ago and mandated it to be taught to children around the world. “To prepare them for a life beyond school”. While most countries agreed and actively contributed to the concept, we ignored the TEACHER and the PARENT who are the biggest influencers.Teachers need training on Life • Personal satisfaction & growth school environment. The curatedSkills today more than ever as • Responsibility & accountability training program should create:a child spends most amount • Reduced risky behaviour Awareness: On the issues theyof their time at school which • Ability to self-manage, solve can face in a school as a teachermeans they get the most amount with their colleagues and on theof learning there as well. They problems and understand the issues that children face in thelearn from their surroundings, business environment age group they interact with.mirror their teacher’s behaviour, • Working well as part of a team Understanding: The core of thepersonality and attitude. They • Time and people management issue and relate it to their ownlearn through observation. The • Agility and adaptability to lives.connection that the teacher has different roles and flexible Action: Enable them towith the child and the subtle working environments internalize the core messagepower of influence over them • The potential to lead by and act out the key learningare hard to ignore. Therefore influence (Macmillan, 2016) when in need.teachers need to be equipped • Understand the school While the teacher chose thewith skills to understand the environment and culture profession to teach, they didn’tpresent day children and better do it to make sure it resulted inaddress their issues better. a test score. They chose to helpThe ten skills remain constant While the educate and advise lives. Theythroughout time, only the context teacher chose chose it to make a difference!and perspective for the teachers the profession to With each passing year, aschange. teach, they did not students leave, new studentsBenefits of education on Life do it to make sure bring with them new issues andSkills are far too many to be it resulted in a test behavioural changes. Therefore,penned down but some of them score. They chose teachers need to be empoweredare Self Awareness, Empathy, to educate and with Life Skills to take on theCommunication, Interpersonal world before they prepare theSkills, Critical Thinking, Creative advise lives students to take on life.Thinking, Decision Making,Problem Solving, Dealing with The training imparted to teachers References:Emotion and Dealing with need to focus on individual Macmillan (2016). Why are life skillsStress; these skills for teachers skills and issues that they could important? Retrieved April 18th, 2017, fromwill translate into possibly face with the different http://www.macmillanenglish.com/life-skills/ age groups they interact within a why-are-lifeskills-important/To subscribe or to contribute articles please contactMENTOR MAGAZINE NO. OF COPIES 2 YEARS (24 ISSUES + 6 3 YEARS (36 ISSUES# 175, 2nd Cross, Lower Palace COMPLIMENTARY) +9 COMPLIMENTARY)Orchards, Bengaluru - 560 003Email: [email protected] 1 Rs. 1000/- Rs. 1500/-Website: www.lxl.inPhone: +91 90191 11110 2 Rs. 1750/- Rs. 2500/-34 5 Rs. 4000/- Rs. 5500/- *Prices inclusive of postage charges To download subscription form - www.lxl.in [email protected]