My Expressions

Ed Leader – Anupama Ramchandra, Delhi Public School Electronic City, Bengaluru

Education is an integral part of a child’s upbringing. We, at Curious Times, have made it our aim to ensure that we also play an active role in imparting the right knowledge to all the Curious children. As such, we also try to ensure that we are always in touch with the leaders in education today and learning from them. After all, it is important to learn from the best.

So, today, we present to you a one-on-one conversation with Anupama Ramchandra. She is the Principal of Delhi Public School Electronic City, Bengaluru. The school aims for the all-round development of children by providing them with an education that balances academics with cultural, emotional, physical and mental development.

When did you decide to step into the world of education? What motivated you to become an Educator? It was way back in the year 1990 that I chanced upon this profession when a temporary vacancy came up in a neighbourhood school. Although it was a short stint of 7 months and I had never considered teaching as a career option, the experience touched my life beyond words can express. The empowerment of changing lives for the better in myriad ways as a teacher made me take a firm resolve that this was my calling. Also, the love and acceptance of the children that I worked with reiterated my decision.

Share some of the challenges you have faced in your career journey. How did you convert those challenges into the pillars of success? Teaching is never bereft of hardships and hurdles. As we had to move from state to state every 3-4 years due to my spouse’s transfer, I could not anchor myself in one school or grow to greater positions. I also had to often start afresh as a new teacher in a new school in a new place, all over again! This saddened me initially but, later I realised that this was building many new skills in me, providing novel opportunities to learn at different levels (I had to accept the opening available at any level, at that point of time) and understand how different institutions functioned to achieve success. This richly added to my repertoire of teaching-learning skills and extended my network of educators who furthered my professional development.

What are the changes have you observed over the years in the field of education? Are you happy with these changes? I believe that any change is a good change. We have all observed that education is evolving to be more student-centric,child-friendly, inclusive and holistic with new pedagogical practices. NEP 2020 has set a roadmap for us to be part of a dynamic and progressive system of education. We have also been witness to how technology has invaded our learning space. However, this is drawn a lot of criticism from different stakeholders. All of us as educators should accept the fact that technology is here to stay and that it can be used as a leveller to bring equity in education. It can also enhance the classroom experience and help us become more effective within the time available. Thus, I am happy with the changes.

What changes would you like to see in the field of Education? What role can the various stakeholders like the government, teachers, students and parents play in this? I am very optimistic that we will be able to achieve high levels of literacy and numeracy in India with the combined efforts of all stakeholders. I would look forward to being a part of a tomorrow where each child is provided with the empowering learning space to learn at his/ her own pace and marks alone will not decide the fate of any individual’s future. It is the responsibility of each one of us to do our bit in making this a reality. We need to trust each other’s role and support one another unconditionally to create an impactful system of education.

Share your message with the aspiring teachers and leaders of tomorrow. Each educator must consider herself/himself lucky to be endowed with skills and qualities to touch young lives. We are a part of nation-building and we have to take it up in all earnest. Give a fair chance to each child to perform and grow based on one’s personality and potential. Always remember, No child is useless. He/she is only used less.

Share your message for your and Curious Times students. My dearest children, you are very precious to us as educators and to the nation. Since you will be stepping into automated environments, always remember to preserve your values of honesty, empathy and sensitivity to the underprivileged. Your efforts to build your future will decide the quality of ‘Future India’. Look beyond your horizons and fix your goal to be humane, balanced, happy and global citizens who can carry forward the legacy of this great country called India.

Anupama Ramchandra, Principal

Delhi Public School Electronic City, Bengaluru

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