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Ms. Kavita Chatterjee Das, Principal, St. John’s, Chandigarh 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 Ms. Kavita Chatterjee Das, St. John’s, Chandigarh:

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?

Ms. Kavita Chatterjee Das: COVID was a blessing in disguise in a way that it challenged us to push our boundaries and stretch outside our comfort zones. It did not take more than a few days for teachers to become well versed with the new normal . . . . . the online classes and assessment. Technology has been largely responsible for education that continued even when the schools were shut down. As far as the future is concerned. . . the future is here! Artificial intelligence is the need of the hour. We might not rely on it solely but let’s face it, it is quite an assistive tool in the field of education. Teachers can never be redundant as the world cannot do without emotional beings to help children grow in terms of values and feelings. . . but they can definitely be empowered with the use of 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?

Ms. Kavita Chatterjee Das: Education today is learning by doing. Gone are the days of traditional teaching and learning. Education is more holistic today than it ever was with skilling and co-curricular activities being given its due importance. These empower children with the life skills needed for them face the world and at the same time lead to a more holistic growth and development of the children. When children do and learn, learning outcomes are eventually and naturally derived.

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

Ms. Kavita Chatterjee Das: As mentioned earlier, skilling plays an important role in assisting children reach their future careers. Also a lot of exposure in terms of field visits, hands on training, mentoring by experts (one-on-one basis), internship programmes etc. gives a sense of direction to the children. Interactions with members of the school alumni who are doing well in their respective fields gives a personalized touch to the whole mentoring programme and children can relate to their seniors.
Career counsellors play a very important role as well as they are in constant touch with the students in terms of their aspirations, interest and aptitude

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?

Ms. Kavita Chatterjee Das: Teaching was once seen as the most comfortable job. . . .one has often heard stories about teachers having the time to cut vegetables, knit sweaters in school. . . LOL! Is that even true because education was always a calling and not just a job. And today with the world growing so fast, there is all the more reason for the education sector to cope. When I say cope, I mean change and develop in more ways than one can imagine. The education sector has been the most evolving sector! Today I feel, that a teacher is not only one who teaches, but a confidant, an emotional support, a friend, a mentor and a well-wisher. Teachers are very sensitive to the needs of the children and are well trained to handle them with compassion, empathy and fairness.
Counsellors are also imperative and must be included in the full-time staff. During the pandemic, it was our counsellors who regularly kept in touch with kids who were struggling with stress and helped them cope.

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

Ms. Kavita Chatterjee Das: I am proud to say that St. John’s is an INCLUSIVE school where children from different economic, social and religious backgrounds, children with special needs etc. sit in one classroom and receive education. Teachers have been trained to cater to the ever-changing demands in a classroom and are fully briefed about teaching strategies as well as the legalities. With the understanding that each and every child is unique, teachers of St. John’s pamper children and mould them to the best of THEIR abilities.
Every institution should strive to promote the wellbeing of their children and help them comprehend their talents and gifts and try in every possible way to create opportunities for children to display their talents.

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?

Ms. Kavita Chatterjee Das: Absolutely NOT. Children should be evaluated on what they learn in school or else they are placed under far too much stress with having to learn not only a parallel curriculum, but to also adapt to different examination styles.
The term competition has received a different connotation today…its cutthroat and stressful! In schools we are always encouraging positive and healthy competition. So should be the case with other organisations and institutions. A child should compete with herself/ himself!
I feel school education is a holistic approach to education wherein children are not only educated in terms of academics but co scholastic growth and development as well. Coaching classes (or should I refer to them as money making businesses) are only putting pressure on children and parents in the name of competition. A school and a teacher can never be replaced! I often ask my boys, do your tutors know what you are good at, or that you play a musical instrument or that you are a gifted artist. . . their response is. . . marks matter a lot. My response to that is a child cannot be defined by his marks and there is a whole lot more to a child than just his academic or competitive exam scores.

Ms. Kavita Chatterjee Das: A very important aspect of education that we often sideline, is the value of spirituality. It is what will keep our children aligned with good, whilst also giving them the God-given strength and wisdom to cope with challenges and to rise above them, without compromising on their values.

Finally, since this is closer to Teacher’s Day, I want to express my gratitude to all the teachers across the globe for having the courage to be the change, for touching so many lives, for transforming children into global citizens and above all for educating with compassion! Let’s always strive to make our children worthy citizens of tomorrow!

Kavita Chatterjee Das, Principal, St. John’s School, Chandigarh on Curious Times

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