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Ed Leader – Mildred Lobo, Bunts Sangha’s S M Shetty International School and Junior College, Mumbai

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 are trying 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 Mildred Lobo. She is the Principal of Bunts Sangha’s S M Shetty International School and Junior College, Mumbai. The school focuses on transferring skills like problem-solving, creative and critical thinking, leadership and enterprise, collaboration and teamwork and citizenship with a conviction that the skills will enable students to navigate and forge ahead on their journey through life.

When did you decide to step into the world of education? What motivated you to become an Educator? I stepped into the formal world of education in the year 2005. However, even before that, I do believe that I was in it right from the start. My parents were both educators and our conversations at the dinner table always revolved around school and everything that came with it. So, teaching came my way by default and not by design and my first experience as a classroom facilitator just told me that I had finally found my niche. I haven’t looked back since that day. The impact that each educator has on each student is immeasurable. As I watch students thrive under the guidance of a teacher, I am more and more motivated to make a difference in a child’s life

Share some of the challenges you have faced in your career journey. How did you convert those challenges into the pillars of success? I have faced many challenges along the way. Completing a teaching degree after 14 long years of being out of the formal system of education wasn’t easy, especially with two young children. But perseverance and resilience and the strong support of my family and teachers helped me go the distance. I use that experience to support my teachers as they upskill and upgrade their qualifications in the midst of challenging circumstances. My greatest challenge came when I took over as the Head of School. Building a team that works towards one goal has been my sole objective and the vision, mission and core values of our school served as my North star. Everyone has their own ideas and opinions and perspectives and all of them are important. The challenge was to find ways to work as a cohesive unit and I am proud that today, we are a successful school with everyone pulling in the same direction. Through it all, the importance of relationships was the key and valuing and empowering people has helped me immensely too. I will continue to consistently support my teachers and my students to achieve their own greatness.

What are the changes have you observed over the years in the field of education? Are you happy with these changes? The COVID 19 pandemic brought about a distinctive and dramatic change in education which has kind of superseded most of the changes across the years. I believe that the changes are here to stay and we will see an acceleration of the integration of information technology in education. Online education will become a vital part of classroom learning. I am happy that with training and the right growth mindset, teachers and students adapted to the new model and are thriving in the new normal. The New Education Policy is also a step in the right direction with the shift from content to skills and essential learning.

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? If there is one thing I would want to change in education, it is the excessive reliance on grades. This puts pressure and anxiety on everyone. Let the focus be on learning and not testing. Every stakeholder has a role to play in this. Students need to know that the goal is to learn and that it is about optimizing effort to enhance learning. Parents must reiterate to their children that their grades are not the only barometer of achievement. Teachers can give feedback assignments that are written and evolving, with grades only at the end. This will prepare students for life when they have to write drafts for different projects.

Share your message with the aspiring teachers and leaders of tomorrow. I read a quote by Kalu Ndukwe Kalu that says The things you do for yourself are gone when you are gone, but the things you do for others remain as your legacy. My message to myself and all teachers is – Let us leave a legacy.

Share your message for your and Curious Times students. Set SMART goals. Cultivate a growth mindset. Be open to new ideas and different perspectives. Seize every opportunity that comes your way. Work in collaboration rather than competition. Read, Read, Read. Be kind to yourself and others.

Mildred Lobo, Principal

Bunts Sangha’s S M Shetty International School and Junior College, Mumbai

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