Innovation in education is no longer a luxury but a necessity. As the world rapidly evolves, traditional teaching methods often fail to equip students with the skills required to navigate an increasingly complex future. Prof. Shauli Mukherjee has been at the forefront of reimagining the educational landscape. Her contributions to Adamas World School and West Bengal’s first STEM school have set new benchmarks in pedagogical excellence.
What inspired you to introduce innovative methodologies in the schools you have led, especially at Adamas World School and West Bengal’s first STEM school?
I have always believed that the world does not need more mechanical minds overloaded with a vast repertoire of facts and figures—minds that are the by-products of a one-size-fits-all education system designed to make students think alike. Instead, the world requires minds capable of divergent thinking and out-of-the-box ideation.
Every child is innately curious and inherently creative. It is the role of an effective educator to hone and nurture this creative genius, which is often latent. I believe that human talents and potentialities are much like natural resources, often lying buried underground until the right conditions allow them to surface. The role of an educator is to create such conditions—nurturing, refining, and celebrating the unique talents and capabilities inherent in every student.
What challenges did you face while implementing innovative methodologies, and how did you overcome them?
I believe that great opportunities in life often come disguised as challenges and obstacles. My journey as an educational leader has been filled with challenges, particularly in shifting mindsets regarding the real essence of education. Changing perceptions is never an easy task, but I never viewed these obstacles as stumbling blocks. Instead, I saw them as stepping stones that helped me evolve into a stronger and more confident educator.
Since most people are accustomed to conventional teaching and learning methods, initial resistance from parents was inevitable. However, as they began to witness the positive transformations in their children—greater engagement, creativity, and confidence—they became more receptive to the benefits of innovation in education.
In your opinion, how do innovative methodologies help prepare students for future challenges and careers?
To me, adopting innovative methodologies means giving students more time and space to follow their curiosity, create, share, explore, and experiment with their unique ideas. Students should be encouraged to learn new things, acquire new skills, and develop meaningful habits at every stage of life. This continuous evolution through experiential learning is the key to thriving in today’s volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous (VUCA) world.
As responsible mentors, we must provide students with ample opportunities to explore the three essential Ps—Play, Passion, and Purpose. This potent combination fosters creativity and productivity, empowering young learners to lead happy, fulfilling, and meaningful lives.
What advice would you give to other educators and school leaders who wish to introduce similar innovative teaching practices in their institutions?
There is an urgent need to reimagine and redefine education to meet the demands of an ever-changing world. A complete mindset shift is necessary to transform the current one-size-fits-all education model into a system that caters to the unique learning needs of today’s youth.
True transformation requires strong yet compassionate leadership that embraces a “beginner’s mindset” and a questioning spirit to challenge orthodox practices. If we aim to nurture dynamic, creative problem-solvers who can confidently tackle global complexities, we must allow learners the freedom of anytime, anywhere learning. A well-crafted blend of synchronous and asynchronous learning modes, integrated with technology and ICT, is the way forward.
Let us all unite to build the future of education—a happy, productive, creative, and personalised learning experience that helps students evolve into the highest, truest, and best versions of themselves. As progressive educators, we must not resist change any longer. Instead, we should embrace and facilitate the long-overdue transformation in education, making it a reality for present and future generations.
