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Ed Leader – Mrs Vinita Khaladkar, Educon International School, Pune

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 Mrs Vinita Khaladkar. She is the Executive Director of the Educon International School, Pune. The school aims to develop students, activate and mobilize their potential, make them socially responsible, creative, explorative with good self-management, interpersonal and interactive skills and help them emerge as Global Citizens.

Also watch the one-on-one conversation of Mrs Vinita Khaladkar with Deepti Beri, Director at Curious Times at the end of this article.

When did you decide to step into the world of education? What motivated you to become an Educator? Being born in the land, Maharashtra, that has given the first female teacher, Smt Savitribai Phule as well as the first female doctor, Anandi Joshi, it was always my passion to be an educator. I was fortunate to be able to pursue my passion as an educator from a very early age. Now it has been a continuous journey for me, stretching more than 32 years. An educator is a lifelong learner. Teaching is a noble profession that plants the seeds of knowledge that creates enlightened curious young minds and nurtures the character to enhance the life skills of a child for a lifetime. So, essentially, a love for learning & love for learners has motivated me to step into this profession.

Share some of the challenges you have faced in your career journey. How did you convert those challenges into the pillars of success? Challenges are always part and parcel of our life. Making the right use of technology, balancing diverse learning needs, designing innovative pedagogies, and learning outcomes to measure students’ potential, are some challenges I have faced. Along with them, I have also had to manage my home affairs, social life as well as face other challenges that comes along with a serious and demanding profession. But as they say, rough seas make stronger sailors. So, these challenges made me more competent, taught me to take purposeful learning steps to update myself to handle any situation in my career journey. My inner strength, patience, passion for my profession, and the support from my family and team members converted these challenges into pillars of success.

What are the changes have you observed over the years in the field of education? Are you happy with these changes? The rapid changes & increased complexity of today’s world put new demands on our education system. Earlier, education was teacher-centred; the students were passive recipients of knowledge and learning achievements were measured by standard tests. But modern education is student-centric, and learning achievements are assessed by a variety of educational tools. A Continuous Comprehensive Evaluation system has been accepted by all educators.
There has been generally growing awareness of the necessity to change and improve the process of preparing students for productive functioning in this changing environment. Education today focuses on the Holistic development of the child that includes intellectual, emotional, creative, & physical dimensions. An interdisciplinary curriculum has enabled students to achieve learning outcomes from different disciplines. Moreover, inclusive education develops life skills in students.
Due to the pandemic situation, all members of the education community has adapted the latest technology, digitalization and virtual mode of education. Educators and students have started using different digital applications which have made the teaching-learning process effective and enjoyable, even under these adverse circumstances too. Need-based changes have the ability to change the orthodox mindset. I have accepted all the changes graciously to engage, explore and experiment with new things in the field of education.

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? The education system is a vital contributor to the growth of the country. The education policies of India saw various reforms in the post Independence Era based on the need of the hour. We are also waiting for the implementation of the New Education Policy 2020 which suggests many required changes. We, educators, are looking forward to seeing Early Childhood Education – Foundation of learning getting strengthened, and getting its due importance as a part of the formal education stream. Holistic education for all to identify and foster the unique capabilities of each student is also important. I also believe that equal importance must be given to all subjects including Sports, Performing Arts and Co-scholastic subjects. Moreover, we, educators, also wish to see education being available to all and equal opportunities given to deserving students without any reservation barriers. There should also be more emphasis on a flexible curriculum, innovative research-based, concept-based education which would enhance critical thinking skills in students.
Nothing is possible without acceptance and strong teamwork. So, to implement these changes, everyone including Government bodies, Education departments, Parents, Educators, and Students have to work hand in hand in their individual capacities to achieve quality education goals for building a Self Reliant India.

Share your message with the aspiring teachers and leaders of tomorrow. Dear Teachers, You are the backbone of all Educational Institutions. Take pride to be in this noble and very responsible profession. Teachers are always Life-Long Learners. Keep on updating yourself by attending various Continuous Professional Development Workshops. You can also make a difference by nurturing your emotional quotient along with your intelligence quotient. You may be very highly qualified, but when you are with school children, you should ensure to deliver your knowledge by adjusting to their level. If the child can’t learn the way you teach, teach the way the child learns.

Let me quote for you all I was not born to JUST TEACH, I was born to inspire others to change the people. And to never give up even when faced with Challenges that seem Impossible. Lots of wishes for your career journey as an educator.

Share your message for your and Curious Times students. Dear Students, the world STUDENT itself teaches you many things.
S-Sincere: Be always sincere in whatever task is given to you
T-Tolerant: Accept the diversity of our country to maintain unity
U-Unique: Believe in yourself.
D-Determined: Don’t give up until you reach the destination
E-Effervescent: Always be enthusiastic about everything around you
N-Novel: Be curious and innovative in your work
T-Tireless: Work tirelessly to achieve success in life
I wish you all to be fearless, confident, courageous to face the challenging world
I wish you all to be Successful Learners, Confident Individuals, Responsible Citizens & Effective contributors.

Thank You and Jai Hind

Mrs Vinita Khaladkar, Executive Director

Educon International School, Pune

Curious Times is committed to providing the best experience and news to children. We bring to you the Curious Times Weekly with the top news of the week. You can also check out The Curious Magazine, the first children’s magazine with all the great content by the children, for the children. We would love for you, dear children, to write and get your stories, art, thoughts and more published at My Expressions. Write to us at hello@curioustimes.in.You can also follow us on WhatsApp, Instagram, Facebook Youtube, Twitter, LinkedIn.

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