In this insightful interview with Mr. A G Prakash, Principal, Nandha Central City School, Erode, Tamil Nadu, we explore the crucial role education plays in developing social equality and driving national development. Mr. Prakash discusses the integration of value-based education to nurture ethical awareness and social responsibility among students. He also shares strategies for blending STEM/STEAM education with traditional academics to ensure holistic student development. Furthermore, Mr. Prakash highlights the school’s innovative use of technology and sustainability initiatives, while addressing the challenges of balancing academic rigor with overall student growth. Lets dive in!
Q. How do you view the role of education in promoting social equality and contributing to national development?
Education plays a critical role in promoting social equality by levelling the playing field and providing equal opportunities for all individuals, regardless of their background. It serves as a powerful tool to empower marginalized groups, including women and minorities, allowing them to participate more fully in economic and social activities. This empowerment leads to greater economic participation and helps foster social cohesion within society. For instance, scholarships and vocational training programs are effective in lifting individuals out of poverty by equipping them with the skills and knowledge necessary for gainful employment. Additionally, civic education plays a vital role in promoting active participation in democratic processes, which is essential for driving national development. By educating citizens on their rights and responsibilities, education helps create informed and engaged citizens who can contribute to the growth and stability of the nation.
Q. Could you share examples of how value-based education is integrated into the curriculum to foster ethical awareness and social responsibility among students?
Value-based education is seamlessly integrated into the curriculum through a variety of methods that aim to instil ethical awareness and social responsibility in students. This integration often involves the incorporation of ethical lessons and activities that highlight the importance of respect, empathy, and a sense of duty towards society. For example, many schools implement community service projects as part of their curriculum, which provide students with hands-on opportunities to contribute to their communities. Through these projects, students learn the value of giving back to society and are encouraged to develop ethical behaviours that they can carry into their personal and professional lives. By engaging in real-world situations that require them to make ethical decisions, students develop a deeper understanding of the impact their actions can have on others, which ultimately fosters a sense of social responsibility.
Q. What strategies does your school employ to integrate STEM/STEAM education with traditional academic disciplines while ensuring academic excellence? Why is this important?
Our school employs a variety of strategies to integrate STEM/STEAM education with traditional academic disciplines, ensuring that students receive a well-rounded education while maintaining high standards of academic excellence. One effective approach is the use of interdisciplinary projects that bridge the gap between science, technology, engineering, arts, and math (STEM/STEAM) and subjects like history and language arts. For example, a project that combines coding with storytelling not only enhances students’ technical skills but also fosters creativity and critical thinking. This type of project allows students to see the connections between different disciplines and understand how they can work together to solve complex problems. The importance of this approach lies in its ability to prepare students for a rapidly evolving job market, where the ability to think critically, innovate, and adapt to new challenges is crucial.
Q. In what ways does your school integrate technology to enhance teaching and learning experiences, particularly in STEM/STEAM fields?
Our school integrates technology into the curriculum in various ways to enhance the teaching and learning experiences, particularly in STEM/STEAM fields. We make extensive use of digital tools such as interactive simulations and coding platforms that provide students with hands-on learning experiences. For example, virtual labs are used to conduct science experiments, allowing students to explore scientific concepts in a safe and controlled digital environment. These virtual labs provide an interactive experience that helps students better understand complex concepts by visualizing them in real time. Additionally, coding platforms are used to teach students the fundamentals of programming, which is an essential skill in today’s technology-driven world. By integrating these digital tools into the curriculum, we make learning more engaging and accessible, helping students to grasp difficult concepts more effectively.
Q. How does sustainability education feature in your curriculum, and what initiatives are in place to promote environmental consciousness among students?
Sustainability education is a key component of our curriculum, and we have implemented several initiatives to promote environmental consciousness among students. Lessons on environmental science are integrated into various subjects to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of sustainability issues. In addition, we have established programs like the “Green School Initiative,” which actively involves students in environmental conservation efforts. For example, students participate in tree planting and energy conservation projects as part of this initiative, fostering a strong sense of environmental responsibility. Through these activities, students learn the importance of protecting the environment and are encouraged to adopt sustainable practices in their daily lives. By incorporating sustainability education into the curriculum, we aim to equip students with the knowledge and skills they need to address environmental challenges and contribute to a more sustainable future.
Q. What challenges do you face in balancing academic rigour with holistic development, and how do you address them?
Balancing academic rigour with holistic development is a challenge that we face due to the limited time and resources available in the school schedule. To address this, we have developed a comprehensive approach that integrates extracurricular activities and wellness programs into the daily routine of our students. For instance, we incorporate sports, arts, and other extracurricular activities alongside academic studies, ensuring that students have opportunities for physical, emotional, and creative growth. These activities are designed to complement academic learning by providing students with a well-rounded education that nurtures both their intellectual and personal development. By offering a diverse range of activities, we ensure that students can pursue their interests and develop important life skills, such as teamwork, leadership, and resilience. This approach helps us maintain high academic standards while also promoting the overall well-being and holistic development of our students.
Q. How do you measure the success of your educational approach in terms of promoting social equality, academic excellence, and holistic development among students? Give Examples, if any.
We measure the success of our educational approach through a combination of academic performance, student feedback, and participation in various programs. Academic performance is assessed through standardized tests and regular evaluations, which provide insights into students’ progress and identify areas for improvement. Additionally, we gather feedback from students to understand their experiences and perceptions of the curriculum and extracurricular activities. This feedback is invaluable in helping us refine our approach and ensure that it meets the needs of our students. Participation in diverse programs, such as community service and extracurricular activities, is also monitored to assess students’ engagement in holistic development opportunities. For example, tracking improvements in student achievement, along with their involvement in extracurricular activities, provides a comprehensive picture of how our approach is fostering social equality, academic excellence, and holistic development.
