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Ed Leader – Sangeeta Tandon, Shri Shikshaytan School, Kolkata

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 Sangeeta Tandon. She is the Principal of Shri Shikshaytan School, Kolkata. The school’s vision is to impart value-based education to students so that they are competent to handle global challenges.

When did you decide to step into the world of education? What motivated you to become an Educator? After thirteen years after marriage and having two children, I stepped into the field of education. Being academically decent, education was always my preferred field. So, I went to study again and did my B. Ed from Loreto College and was a batch topper. Thereafter, based on my performance, within thirteen years, I became the Principal of Shri Shikshayatan School which has 3850 students.

I simply enjoy the world of education and was never far away from it even as a homemaker as my children were doing quite well in school. In fact, I was often asked why I was not teaching. Hence, I decided to be in the world of education which I am passionate about. It has helped me to learn and grow as a person, at the same time, given me opportunities to contribute to society.

Share some of the challenges you have faced in your career journey. How did you convert those challenges into the pillars of success?

1) The first challenge was to get back to the world of education and do my professional education as a teacher. I cleared the entrance examination and qualified in the prestigious Loreto College, Kolkata. Since the course was tough and had long hours, often I would get only two or three hours’ sleep in 24 hours. Thankfully, with the support of my family and professors, I was first class first in my B.Ed. To be studying and at the same time, ensure that my two children keep doing well in their schools was a challenge that I was able to overcome with the help of my spouse.

2) I was initially with Birla High School and continuously I was asked to take up more challenging roles. And I moved ahead with the help of my mentors in the school. Then, the School Management decided to reward me and shift me to one of their group schools, Shri Shikshayatan School, which was not doing well at that time. I accepted the challenge. I was asked to take the mean of the school from 75% to 80%. Today the school mean is always around 90%.
3) Shri Shikshayatan school changed to the CBSE system, in which I am well versed. So, the transition from an ordinary school to one of the best schools in Kolkata was quite a challenge. In my five and a half years as the Principal of the school, the school has received the Best School award from the Telegraph, as well as received various other national and international awards. I am proud to add that even I have received the Best Principal award from Gurukul. The support from students, staff, parents and management has been phenomenal.

What are the changes have you observed over the years in the field of education? Are you happy with these changes?

I have witnessed remarkable changes in the field of education:
1) The concept of on job training for teachers has taken root.
2) Slowly, schools are realizing the importance of co-curricular activities along with academics
3) Exponential growth in teachers’ learning has taken place during pandemic lockdown
4) Technology has found its foot firmly in teaching-learning
5) Schools have truly become one without boundaries and interaction is on a global platform

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?

Government:
1) Make better infrastructure and provide quality education in Government schools.
2) Implement NEP properly and reach out to all children of India.
Teachers:
1) Keep learning and growing.
2)Try to reach out to the last student who needs help and not to the toppers alone
Students:
1) Be self-disciplined and responsible for your growth.
2) Resilience and persistence are the keywords to be incorporated in your behaviour and attitude
Parents:
1) Give freedom to children to chose their careers and live their dreams.
2) Accept the strengths and shortcomings of your children and love them for who they are.

Share your message with the aspiring teachers and leaders of tomorrow. Keep learning and adapting to the changes with an open mind. Combine your interest and passion with hard work. Be true to your profession and try to reach out to a greater number of students for the world who need you.

Share your message for your and Curious Times students. There is no shortcut to success so work hard. Your dreams and innovative ideas matter, for you, are capable of bringing about the change the world needs. Be the harbinger of change and remain humble and grateful to all.

Sangeeta Tandon, Principal

Shri Shikshaytan School, Kolkata

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