In this insightful interview, Ms. Kavita Sanghvi, Principal, Chatrabhuj Narsee Memorial School, Vile Parle (West), Mumbai, shares the innovative approaches her school employs to prepare students for the challenges of the 21st century. Covering topics from integrating STEM/STEAM education and fostering emotional resilience to balancing cognitive development and embracing technology, Ms. Sanghvi provides valuable examples of how CNM School nurtures lifelong learning, critical thinking, and cardinal human values among its students. This conversation sheds light on the school’s commitment to holistic education and its efforts to cultivate compassionate, community-oriented individuals. Let’s dive in!
Q. How does your school integrate STEM/STEAM education into its curriculum to prepare students for the challenges of the 21st century?
At CNM School, we have developed an in-house STEM curriculum titled ‘Global Outlook’ for students in Grades I to VII. Our approach integrates STEM with real-life examples, activities, events, and phenomena to make it relevant and accessible to students, rather than presenting it as a complex subject.
For instance, in Grade VII, we have a lesson on ‘Determining Food Authenticity,’ where students engage in practical experiments such as:
- Testing for milk contamination and adulteration.
- Assessing the purity of honey.
- Verifying the purity of salt.
- Detecting the presence of chemicals in turmeric.
Students bring products from home, conduct these experiments, and record their observations. They then present their findings to their parents. Additionally, students research the level of adulteration in one item (e.g., tea, coffee, butter, apples) across the globe, gather statistics, and share their findings through a poster presentation.
STEM education is allotted two periods per week, where students work individually, in pairs, or in groups to discuss their learning. Throughout this process, we’ve observed significant development in their critical thinking, problem-solving, collaboration, and communication skills.
Q. Could you share examples of how your school fosters emotional strength and confidence among students in today’s competitive environment?
Confidence within an individual flourishes when he/she is given the opportunity to voice their thoughts, share their opinions, and express themselves in an environment that celebrates their contributions. At our school, we’ve embraced this approach by encouraging students to present what they have learned to their classmates. To create a supportive atmosphere, we’ve established ground rules in the classroom: students are encouraged to respect each other’s opinions without criticism or dismissal. While disagreements are natural, everyone is entitled to their own voice and choices. By embedding this principle into the school’s ethos, we foster emotional strength and confidence among our students.
To further support emotional resilience, we’ve introduced a buddy support bench at the school entrance. Here, students can fill out a request slip to speak with a teacher or the Head of School, providing them with a safe space to express frustrations, anger, or concerns, including issues like bullying. Knowing that we genuinely care about their well-being empowers students to develop emotional strength and resilience.
Q. What strategies does the school employ to balance cognitive development with emotional well-being in students’ holistic growth?
Our school calendar thoughtfully integrates a balanced mix of academic and co-curricular activities to support the holistic development of students, encompassing cognitive, affective, and psychomotor domains. Social-emotional learning is a key focus, as we believe that a happy teacher and a happy student create a positive classroom learning experience. To achieve this, our curriculum is intentionally designed to prioritize student-driven classrooms over teacher-led ones, giving students both a voice and a choice in their learning journey.
Each classroom activity is carefully planned, with tasks that are research-driven, aligned with Bloom’s Taxonomy, and designed to encourage students to apply their knowledge in real-life situations. Diagnostic assessment is also a priority, with dedicated periods for assessment for learning. During these sessions, learning is evaluated through class projects, assignments, and experiential work, allowing students to demonstrate their understanding in various ways. We hold that assessments drive learning and vice versa, so it’s essential that they are relevant and meaningful. Each assignment comes with a rubric, providing a clear benchmark for students and guiding them on where to focus their efforts.
Additionally, our curriculum emphasizes differentiation and metacognition. Teachers are expected to outline the techniques they will use to support diverse learners within their lesson plans. These efforts, coordinated across all departments, ensure that learning remains interdisciplinary and relevant to the needs of our students.
Q. How does your School integrate technology into the learning experience and what innovations have been introduced in teaching methodologies?
Our classrooms are equipped with smartboards, and every student has access to Microsoft Teams, where they can find assignments, assessments, projects, messages, and pre-recorded videos. This year, we hosted a one-week event called ‘AI in Education,’ during which students were tasked with using AI tools to enhance their subject learning. Teachers introduced various AI tools, and students took the initiative to explore additional ones on their own. Throughout the week, students engaged in peer learning by visiting different classrooms, and I am proud to say that they have gained substantial knowledge about AI tools.
For instance, some students used InVideo AI to create a video on the DC Motor, effectively demonstrating the direction of force using Fleming’s left-hand rule, which made the learning experience much more engaging. Additionally, our teachers have started incorporating AI tools like Gamma AI, Pictory, Magic School, and Microsoft Co-pilot into their lessons, further enriching the learning process. When technology is used as a support tool, it truly creates remarkable learning experiences.
Q. In what ways does the school promote lifelong learning, critical thinking, and a spirit of free objective enquiry among students?
Lifelong learning thrives when it is connected to real-life experiences and students actively engage in community work. At our school, we design projects that challenge students to address real-world issues. For instance, in a recent Math project, students explored gender equality by creating bar graphs to analyze statistics on gender pay gaps, equal participation in decision-making, and the representation of women in leadership roles. They then presented these findings to their peers, sparking a deeper awareness of the ongoing challenges in achieving true gender equality despite widespread discussions on women’s empowerment.
We also run an in-house Climate Change program, where students participate in a six-week course each year and implement various projects aimed at environmental conservation. For example, students engage in composting and sell the compost as part of the school’s business initiative to raise awareness. Our school has partnered with TATA Cancer Hospital, donating all profits from the student-run business, ‘Cutting Edge,’ which sells folders, bags, and compost. These efforts have earned our school recognition from TERI as the best-performing school and inclusion in the top 250 schools worldwide by the Climate Action Project for our work on climate change. Regular projects and assignments centred around local issues develop a sense of free inquiry among students.
Q. Could you elaborate on the approach of your School towards developing cardinal human values, understanding, and compassion for others among students?
Education is about shaping individuals who care, contribute, and understand the value of community—and school is where this foundation is laid. We believe that values are crucial in building ethics, and we take this responsibility seriously. Our morning assemblies emphasize values, and we have a dedicated value education period centred around a different theme each month. These 12 themes are outlined in the school diary, enabling parents to reinforce them at home. The school rules, created by our students, emphasize core values such as love, compassion, caring, and sharing. We believe that respect is earned by giving it, so we encourage everyone to go out of their way to bring joy to others.
