My Expressions

Dr. Mona Mehdi, Jain Heritage A Cambridge School, Kondapur, Hyderabad, joins Curious Times to celebrate Teachers Day and shares her views on Teachers: Leading in Crisis, Reimagining Future! She is an eminent Leader and Educationist and has been inspiring students and future generation of teachers.

Curious Times, the leading school newspaper and children’s website is pleased to bring perspectives of Senior Educationists and teachers to our readers on Teachers Day 2022. Over the past 3 years a lot has changed in the education sector, teaching methods, curricula, use of technology, introduction of NEP 2020, emphasis on mental wellbeing of children and how schools shape careers of next the generation. We believe that the energy and enthusiasm of the leaders to adapt to these changes will help not just leading through the crisis of learning gaps but also reimagining the future of education.

Here is our conversation with Dr. Mona Mehdi, Jain Heritage, A Cambridge School:

Curious Times: Technology has brought about a shift in the teaching and learning ecosystem. As you reimagine future, what, in your opinion, would be the role of technology and what would be the role of teachers?

Dr. Mona Mehdi: Technology has developed in leaps and bounds. During the lockdown we all have counted on technology and made the best use of it, however, we have experienced the disadvantages/misuse of technology as well. The role of teachers is essentially very important for the step-by-step progress of the students. Teachers truly shape the future of our children – and, therefore, the future of our nation. Every child is different, and the teachers can understand and accordingly make the plans and implement them for different students whereas technology has limitations. It can assist in education, but as far as holistic development is concerned, that would be taken care of by the teachers only with personal touch. In short, the role of technology and the role of the teacher may go hand in hand.
Technology will act as an enabler and provide means that the teachers can use to make the education more interactive and engaging. The role of the teacher remains central to the entire process of education. Technology alone cannot suffice and meet the varying needs of students coming from diverse groups in our society and having different levels of access to technology.

Curious Times: NEP 2020 puts a lot of emphasis on skilling and co-curricular activities. How will this have a positive impact on learning outcomes in the future?

Dr. Mona Mehdi: Skilling and co-curricular activities play an important role in the mental, physical, social and emotional development of a child. NEP 2020 puts a lot of emphasis on skilling and co-curricular activities which will be a blessing for the holistic development of the students. These activities can turn the tides and lead the Indian education system to become a progressive, flexible, multidisciplinary, technology and skill-focused education system that will have the capability to produce competent, creative, skilled, employable, and ethical learners.

Curious Times: What role can schools play in making students reach their potential careers?

Dr. Mona Mehdi: The school assists the students in narrowing down career choices while keeping in view their interests. The schools understand the dreams of the students and help them to fulfil them. They help the students by –
1. Encouraging Teamwork
2. Becoming Future-Focused
3. Teaching Complex Thinking Skills
4. Preparing for college and career

One of the biggest things that students today need to succeed at work is the ability to work as a team. They need to understand how to communicate so that they can be a valuable contributing member to projects. This is taught in school by encouraging teamwork on some projects and assignments. Schools focus not just on whether students have understood the concept, but on where it will take them later. Right now, our schools measure knowledge gained from one year to the next. Conversely, students (even really good ones) come to school as a means to an end. It is a steppingstone to their life goals. The schools need to bring those values together.

Curious Times: The pressures in the 21st century are different from earlier times. What will be the role of schools and teachers in mental wellbeing of students going forward?

Dr. Mona Mehdi: Schools and teachers are important social units that anchor the health and well-being of all individuals. Schools have the prime responsibility to promote and optimize the physical, social, and also the mental health of students. The emerging challenges have necessitated that the schools also shift the focus to the psychological and social needs of students and take care of their overall well-being. Access to mental health services in schools is vital in improving the physical and psychological safety of students and schools. It is important to create a school culture that enables the student to report safety concerns. School counselors and the empathetic approach of educators should provide support and identify the ongoing needs of the students.

Curious Times: As you reimagine the future, how can schools become inclusive and accommodate students from all ethnicities or with different abilities?

Dr. Mona Mehdi: I feel proud to say that our school, Jain Heritage A Cambridge school, Kondapur is already an inclusive school and accommodates students from all ethnicities and different abilities. We have many students in the school who are differently abled but the warm atmosphere of the school, time-to-time counseling sessions, and the love and affection shown by the educators and fellow students have made a difference. The trained staff members and the counselor can understand the psychological and emotional requirements of those students. For us – Every child counts and these kids with special needs are also an integral part of our organization.

Curious Times: Schools prepare children for higher education. Should competitive exams have a different curriculum than schools?
Coaching classes and ed-tech companies have been supplementing the school education. What do you think should be their role?

Dr. Mona Mehdi: Schools prepare children for higher education. The curriculum in school assists in creating the foundation of knowledge in students. Although the competitive Exams have different syllabi, the basics are the same that can be developed if the basics are strong. Basic education can be from the schools. Coaching classes and ed-tech companies are additional and according to me, they create additional pressure on these young minds. I think sometimes the parents are opting for these due to societal pressure and at times the offers are so lucrative that the parents make their child enroll into these programmes. After school, it is tough for the students to cope with these and become part of a rat race. Instead, the students should concentrate on the school curriculum as they are the base for the competitive exams.

In earlier times, education was merely learning the concepts and mugging them up and cramming them. Now in the 21st century, it is different. Now we emphasize music and the arts and encourage creativity and innovation while underlining self-discipline and providing individual insights. Communication helps us ask questions, customize our learning, and spark our passions. It is a steppingstone to their life goals. We need to bring those values together. 21st Century education is not only developing confidence but also providing holistic education.

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