Nikita’s journey as a changemaker started nearly three decades ago as a Senior Biology Teacher at one of the most prestigious schools in India, The Cathedral & John Connon School, Mumbai. She considers herself fortunate to have worked in some of the best schools and different boards across the country, such as the Convent of Jesus & Mary, Navy Children Schools, Sadhbhavana World School, Kerala, Tagore International School, Vasant Vihar etc. Today, as the Principal of Indraprastha Global School, Noida, she feels blessed that she works with a very progressive Management headed by dynamic Director, Mohit Thukral, an alumnus of the Stanford University, who is a visionary and a zealous educator.
The changes I wish to see in the educational sector, to make education more purposeful
In today’s VUCA world, educators need to keep pace with the transformations in the educational landscape. With this foresight, introduction of skill-based courses such as Artificial Intelligence, Design Thinking, Robotics, Coding & Artificial Intelligence by Indraprastha Global School (IPGS), Noida, heralded the changing trends in school education. In keeping with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, skill-based courses are a pressing priority to enhance Digital Literacy.
Financial Literacy, Socio-Emotional Learning, Mental Well Being and Media Literacy are some of the key areas that remain in the spotlight at IPGS. Through Financial Literacy, they teach students the basics of money management: budgeting, saving, debt, investment etc, as it helps them use their education to take informed financial decisions in life. It is a life skill and they train students in it, right from the primary schooling years.
We live in times where media plays a crucial role in shaping our perceptions and opinions, often blurring the lines between reality, perceived reality, and misinformation. Media Literacy is a requisite, to equip students to critically parse information they have read, viewed, and heard. At IPGS, the objective in imparting this lifelong skill is to make students more discerning with media consumption and increase civic engagement that will extend into their adult lives, professionally and personally.
Nikita passionately advocates the ever increasing need to include Socio- Emotional Learning in the curriculum by all schools, as it has an intense impact on how students navigate their relationships at their workplace and in their lives. Therefore, through Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) at IPGS, they facilitate them to successfully manage their thoughts and emotions, suspend their judgement and biases and, develop more empathy for others within their community to become productive, self-aware, and socially-aware citizens. SEL coupled with Mental well-being sessions and discussions, is IPGS’ conscious and earnest endeavour to sensitize students during the formative years; to understand, acknowledge and seek timely assistance to tackle stressful situations with resilience.
To be successful human beings, it is imperative that we equip this impressionable generation of learners, with an eclectic mix of knowledge, skills, critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and citizenship
values.
Through Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) at IPGS, we facilitate them to successfully manage their thoughts and emotions, suspend their judgement and biases and, develop more empathy for others within their community to become productive, self-aware, and socially-aware citizens
