In modern education, the trifecta of Academic Excellence, Innovative Pedagogies and Holistic Development form the bedrock for nurturing students equipped to thrive in the 21st century. In this interview, Dr. Sangeeta Bhatia, Principal, KIIT World School, Pitampura, New Delhi, sheds light on these crucial aspects and their profound impact on shaping a transformative learning environment. Dr. Bhatia offers deep insights into the significance of infusing contemporary values and practical skills into the curriculum, propelling students towards global citizenship, entrepreneurial thinking, and adeptness in navigating modern challenges. Let’s dive in!
KIIT World School students at the Parliament House.
Q. What does ’21st-century value and skill-integrated learning’ mean to you, and why is it essential in modern education?
The legacy of firsts inspires KIIT World to continually challenge itself to create unique value through education. The school community and leadership embrace and celebrate innovation as a way of life, and in turn, empower students to be agents of change. I firmly believe that 21st-century value and skill-integrated learning refers to an educational approach that embeds both contemporary values and practical skills into the curriculum. At KIIT World School, this ethos cultivates global citizenship while preserving cultural roots. Prioritizing skill development catalyses transformative change by fostering an entrepreneurial mindset, shifting from job-seeking to opportunity creation. Emphasizing practical knowledge applications ensures learners are equipped to navigate modern complexities. STEAM fields and AI education are pivotal, fostering interdisciplinary thinking, problem-solving, and ethical technology use. This holistic approach empowers students to innovate, tackle real-world challenges, and thrive in an automated world.
KIIT World School Students participate in the CBSE Heritage India Quiz 2022.
Q. How does your school define and prioritise academic excellence, and what strategies are in place to maintain high academic standards for students?
At KIIT World School, academic excellence is defined by a holistic approach that goes beyond traditional boundaries. We prioritise high academic standards by embracing a forward-looking pedagogy that prepares students for the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. Our strategies for maintaining these standards are multifaceted. Firstly, through smart classrooms and virtual collaborations, we transcend physical limitations, fostering global connections and diverse perspectives. Our Atal Tinkering Labs serve as innovation hubs, encouraging hands-on exploration and nurturing entrepreneurial spirit. Additionally, our libraries have evolved into dynamic centres for creativity and expression, complemented by value-based stories and assemblies for character development. Moreover, our 360-degree feedback mechanism ensures equal partnership among students, teachers, peers, and parents, fostering personalised growth and addressing learning gaps through remediation and extra classes.
Success stories like Himanshi Mishra, the JEE MAINS 2024 national topper, and Ujjwal Mittal, the CUET topper, Sanuj Mittal (CAT Topper) testify to our commitment to academic excellence and transformative education. State-of-the-art learning and teaching make our campus a joyful space that brims with the energy and aspirations of new generations. To ensure quality in academics, a climate check is done regularly by mentors, HODs and parents who observe the classes and give feedback for further improvement. A grid comprising an amalgamation of IT, Art, Sports, Field-based activities, Role plays, Debate, Presentation, Gaming, Puppetry etc., in the curriculum aims at achieving the desirable learning outcomes in Academics smoothly.
Additionally, Excellence in the enhancement of curriculum is achieved through the Centre of Innovation in Teaching and Learning (CITL). CITL encourages teachers to power future-led innovation, resting on five key principles:
- Integrated curricular, pedagogical, assessment-related innovation in day-to-day teaching
- Action research approach to implement new practices while ensuring day-to-day operations
- Teaching that incorporates technology effectively
- Peer-to-peer teacher collaboration and communication
- Scaffolding for risk-taking and experimental approaches
Students take part in Club Activities.
Q. Could you provide examples of innovative pedagogical approaches implemented at your school that have positively impacted students’ learning experiences and outcomes?
Innovation-led practices have been introduced, tested and perfected over the years, taking the school’s curriculum, pedagogy and assessment practices towards a futuristic vision for K-12 education. The school stands for dynamism and knowledge creation in the field of teaching-learning. The year 2022-2023 saw phenomenal initiative and innovation at the policy level. These highlights are presented below.
The incorporation of a grid-based integration of art, debates, presentations, sports, IT, AI, puppetry, and gaming, aligned with NEP 2020, ensures holistic development across all subjects. This approach seamlessly weaves storytelling, oratory, arts, sports, and games into the curriculum.
Our practice of reflective journaling fosters metacognitive awareness and deep understanding by integrating reflection into daily routines. Reflecting on testing and checking is central to learning how to learn. Both students and teachers analyze performance trends critically and work together to address underlying issues, leading to significant improvements. Result Analysis is conducted frequently, not just at the end of the academic year.
Project NIRMAAN is a student-led initiative promoting peer-to-peer learning. A rigorous system of audits ensures the sharing of best practices and quality approaches. An inter-school event on World Creativity & Innovation Day connects schools in Korea, Poland, Qatar, and across India.
Our Innovation Lab encourages interdisciplinary collaboration to solve real-world challenges, fostering problem-solving skills and creativity. The school regularly hosts events conducted by CBSE and DoE, including CBPs and the India Heritage Quiz (2022). Spic Macay keeps the campus a crossroads for the flow of ideas and new knowledge. Our Peer Education Program nurtures teamwork, communication, and leadership skills essential for success.
The Green Campus Initiative integrates environmental science, social studies, and economics, instilling a sense of environmental stewardship and civic responsibility through hands-on activities. Student-created short films engage students in exploring societal issues, while moral storytelling sessions promote empathy and critical thinking through literature, ethics, and psychology.
The school boasts an all-woman leadership of the Student Parliament, elected by the co-ed student community. The Student Parliament, with its Prime Minister, Speaker, and Leader of the Opposition, leads the school. The School Enterprise Challenge conducted by Teacher Man to Fish offers students insight into the world of entrepreneurship.
Metacognitive learning is a longstanding tradition at the school. Microanalysis and Gap Analysis help teachers identify and address learning gaps. Assessment tools such as Progressive Learning Curves track student growth. Classroom Climate Surveys provide ongoing evaluation of student-centric classrooms, ensuring continuous improvement.
Hence, the School ecosystem nurtures path-breaking curricular and pedagogical experiments. Waves of change and evolution over five decades have created a culture of innovation. State-of-the-art learning and teaching are continuously aligned to new ideas and forces to shape the world of tomorrow.
Students take part in ‘Tinkering’ Activities.
Q. How does your school go beyond academic achievements to promote holistic learning among students?
At KIIT, holistic learning transcends academic achievements, prioritizing the physical, emotional, and mental well-being of students. Recognizing students as national assets, the school fosters self-reliance alongside knowledge acquisition. Emphasizing emotional and psychological support, KIIT provides a nurturing environment where open communication is encouraged, facilitated by dedicated counsellors who engage with students to address their fears and concerns. The Peer Education Program, exemplified by the Quality Circle Initiative, empowers students to support each other’s growth. Quality circles, comprising students with diverse skills, collaborate to enhance their learning experience, fostering accountability and mutual support. These circles also promote positive behaviour, ensuring discipline, respect, and active participation in academic and extracurricular activities. Special morning sports including archery, Thang ta, Taekwondo, skating, rope skipping, yoga, volleyball, basketball and athletics help them bring out their best. They are exposed to several opportunities to be a part of the Editorial Board in TOI and HT Pace programmes to hone their linguistic skills and stimulate freedom of expression. Through many such initiatives, KIIT nurtures holistic development, ensuring students thrive not only academically but also physically, emotionally and socially, preparing them to become well-rounded individuals poised for success in all aspects of life.
Progressive Learning Curve is a tool along the lines of a student’s Holistic Progress Card. Students gauge growth in learning over an extended period using weekly assessments and even define personal strategies for giving their best performance in examinations. The Minimal Level of Learning tool draws on informal interactions to supplement the personalised approach, through a second teacher, beyond the class teacher.
Students take part in ‘Earth Day’ Activities.
Q. In what ways are values like critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and global awareness integrated into your school’s curriculum and teaching methods?
At KIIT, critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, and global awareness are seamlessly integrated into our curriculum and teaching methods, leveraging technology and innovative approaches. Smart classrooms facilitate interactive discussions and debates via video conferences with partner schools worldwide, fostering global awareness and communication skills. Access to online resources enriches learning beyond classroom boundaries.
Projects like the creation of a life-saving jacket named Satark and Eye Con for the specially-abled nurture independent inquiry and critical analysis. Hands-on learning in ATL Labs stimulates creativity and problem-solving, empowering students with 21st-century skills. Our curriculum, aligned with NEP, helps blur the boundaries between academics and co-curricular activities by integrating them seamlessly.
Role plays and flipped classroom sessions cultivate empathy and emotional intelligence alongside intellectual growth. Smart learning tools, including 3D videos, enhance engagement and deepen understanding across subjects, promoting lifelong learning and adaptability. Our dedicated faculty employs innovative teaching methodologies to cultivate curiosity and passion, ensuring students develop not only subject knowledge but also a love for learning itself.
CITL (Centre of Innovation for Teaching and Learning) helps in upgrading teachers’ skills, which in turn helps teachers adopt these holistic approaches. We prepare students to thrive in an interconnected, rapidly evolving world.
Student activities at an Excursion.
Q. Can you discuss any interdisciplinary learning initiatives or projects that encourage students to apply their knowledge across various subjects and real-world scenarios?
The teaching and learning paradigm of the school encourages curiosity and creativity that are grounded in independent thinking by one and all. An ecosystem of consistent innovation in learning and teaching has led to many path-breaking curricular and pedagogical activities. Students engage with new knowledge and acquire new skills and socio-ethical values through deeply engaging, holistic experiences.
The humble Almanac, at our school, is itself a potent tool for reflective journaling & assessment, and students use the Almanac to reflect upon their learning throughout the school day. Students synthesize learning and simultaneously think about how they can improve. They describe what they have learnt and are even free to write that they haven’t learned anything at all. For teachers, the reflections of students are an important pointer to the success of their efforts. There has been a marked difference in student learning outcomes through the use of the Almanac in this manner.
Activities like the following are just a glimpse of how holistic development is achieved:
- Art & Craft omnipresent in all subjects
- Career Counselling
- Community Service
- Conferences & Workshops
- Gardening
- International exchange and partnerships
- Literary activities and debate, declamation, poetry
- Indoor Sports / Outdoor Sports
- Model United Nations
- National Cadet Corps
- Performing Arts including Music, Dance, Drama & Theatre
- Travel and Excursions
- Student Parliament & Citizenship
High levels of compliance to SQAAF on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion is our testimony to achieve inclusion. School is safety-compliant, CWSN-friendly and aligned to global best practices. Tie-ups with NGOs such as Upasna School for the specially-abled are our testimony to an open campus policy.
Following are some of many interdisciplinary projects that have inculcated the spirit of inquiry, creativity, empathy, humanity and excellence in the attainment of 21st-century-ready individuals:
- Project NIRMAAN is a student-led initiative for peer-to-peer learning. (PradyoGeeks, Tabeer, Vaqta)
- MAIN HOON NA for helping students at all levels by collaborating with the community
- Project SMILE to spread happiness
- Action Research on NEP
A Cultural Performance by the students.
Q. What strategies or initiatives does your school plan to implement in the future to enhance the learning experience and ensure holistic development among students?
KIIT is committed to fostering comprehensive growth and learning among its students. In line with this vision, the school is dedicated to enhancing its offerings in several key areas to promote holistic development. Blurring the boundaries between scholastics and co-scholastics is a new mantra for achieving excellence in education. Firstly, internship programs will be expanded and refined to provide students with practical, hands-on experience in their respective fields. These internships serve as invaluable opportunities for students to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios, fostering a deeper understanding of their chosen disciplines and enhancing their employability prospects.
Secondly, KIIT is dedicated to implementing programs aimed at enhancing problem-solving skills and fostering self-discovery among students. These initiatives will encourage students to think critically, creatively, and independently, equipping them with the skills necessary to tackle complex challenges and adapt to an ever-evolving professional landscape.
Furthermore, the school is committed to offering skill-based programs that are carefully balanced with a strong emphasis on values. While acquiring technical expertise is essential, KIIT recognizes the importance of instilling ethical values, integrity, and social responsibility in its students. By integrating value-based education with skill development initiatives, the university ensures that graduates are not only proficient in their respective fields but also possess the moral compass and empathy necessary to make meaningful contributions to society.
Collaborative models, rather than competitive models, are the new way of education. Our Action Research project was well-received by the larger school community and that has encouraged dialogue with other schools. In essence, KIIT going forward will conduct crowd-sourced events, case studies and resources to keep our initiatives sustainable and scalable.
Students present the importance of NEP 2020 on Indepence Day.
