Seetha Murty has a wide range of experience in the field of education. As an IB Educator and President of Association for Heads of IB World Schools in India, she blends national and international goals of education in all her endeavours within and outside India. Besides leading IB workshops across the Asia Pacific region, she is also invited to present at 4 IB Global Conferences. As the Director of Education at Silver Oaks International Schools in Hyderabad, Bangalore and Visakhapatnam, she assumes responsibility for the learning years of 7,000 students in her schools.
Gandhiji’s maxim, “Be the change you wish to see in the world” inspires Seetha Murthy every day. After two decades of living in different parts of the country, her husband opted for voluntary retirement from the Indian Air force and relocated to Hyderabad. She joined Silver Oaks as a Principal in 2005. What struck her was how schools turned into coaching factories and how education was grossly misunderstood as exams and marks.
For her, social and emotional health is as important as physical health. Meaningful learning can happen when a healthy mind is engaged in it. Healthy mind comes from self-awareness and self-worth. With an inside out approach, character first, competence next; she embarked on a journey to lead Silver Oaks in 2005. Courage and conviction helped in swimming against the tide of competition and scores and bringing character development to the forefront.
As a school, Silver Oaks aligned with IBO as it makes ten attributes as core to a learner’s profile. To be principled, balanced, thinker, reflective, open minded, communicative, caring, courageous and developing character. To be competent, one has to be knowledgeable and an inquirer. These ten attributes have percolated into everything we did in school and at home. Parents and teachers began to see children in a new light. Dr Stephen Covey’s 7 habits of highly effective people helped in leadership development for teachers and students alike.
In 2010, Gandhiji’s ideals of Swaraj, Swadharma, Satyagraha, Sarvodaya and Swades have been termed as ‘Mantras of Mahatma’ at Silver Oaks. True to the term, these ideals turned into mantras. They contemporized and contextualized to make them relevant and significant for every age group. The character development of children gained momentum with the learner profile and mantras of Mahatma. And it begun to show in the competence of every child. Social, emotional and physical well-being led to internalized learning.
For Seetha Murty, a sense of responsibility towards nation building has perhaps come from being an Airforce Officer’s wife and a teacher in schools across the country. Murty initiated a civic and social responsibility program called ‘Me and My Country, We Grow Together.’ The programme inculcated a sense of responsibility in the students. One of ways to help less privileged children get education is to ensure equity in the society. Coins for the country is an initiative where students raised funds by earning and saving money every school year. About 1.7 crores had been donated so far. This stands as a testimony to the saying that every drop makes an ocean. Most importantly, students realized that they can make a difference.
Whether in Boards or external tests, sports or inter school events, students’ achievements are noteworthy. Murty believes that an inside out approach can instill positive competitive spirit and support from her team strengthened this approach. The school takes pride in grooming contributors to the society, not just consumers.
As a school, Silver Oaks aligned with IBO as it makes ten attributes as core to a learner’s profile. Dr Stephen Covey’s 7 habits of highly effective people helped in leadership development for teachers and students alike
