When and why did you decide to take up education as your career?

My love for children and love for learning drew me to teaching. I chose to be a teacher because I believe teaching is not just a profession, it is a mission. Children, who are like clay are moulded and shaped by the hands of a teacher. No career, no work can be more rewarding than that of a teacher who is occupied in building the personality of children in order to equip them to face the challenges.

As an educationalist, you are touching many human lives directly. Do you think educational institutions can play a significant role in overall development of students by encouraging them to take up co-curricular interests like Music, Art, Dance or Sports?

Every activity in school life plays a significant role in development of students. Co-curricular activities are an essential part of school life and helps in enhancing learning process of students at school. Co-curricular activities are meant to bring social skills, intellectual skills, moral values, personality progress and character appeal in students. It includes sports, creative arts, meditation, cultural events like music dance, etc.

What are some of the most important initiatives related to co-curricular that you have taken in the institutions you have served?

Co-curricular activities are part and parcel of our school curriculum.  In order to develop overall personality of children we impart holistic education. Club activities play a significant role in the overall development of children. Children must choose one each club from each section;

Section A: Scholastic Clubs: a) Science b) History c) Mathematics d) Readers e) Writers.

Section B: Art & Cultural Clubs: a) Music, b) Dance c) Drama d) Anchors e) Drawing & Painting f) Craft.             

Section C: Sports Clubs: a) Basketball b) Football c) Volleyball d) Hockey e) Skating f) Karate g) Yoga f) Athletics. 

We organise various competitions, programmes, celebrations, etc in order to provide good exposure for our children.

In the days when most people measure success only by academic score, how would you convey to the parents of your students that co-curricular education is not something to be looked down upon?

I always motivate the parents to pursue overall development of children looking forward for excellence. I consider excellence is giving one’s best which cannot be measured through score.  It is highly subjective.

If you were to suggest one major change in perspective of co-curricular education, what would that be?

I consider education consists of both curricular and co-curricular programmes which must be equally balanced to develop an equilibrium in the overall personality of children. I suggest the entire volume of school curriculum must be reduced to less than half of what is prescribed today in order develop various life skills in children. Life skills can be learnt best only through co-curricular activities or learning by doing.

Please let us know about some key achievements of your institution and/or your student(s) in MADS at national/international level?

Our school promotes MADS at all levels.

Ms. Neha Rane - Solo Singing Competition
Ms. Snehal Pillai - 100mt Run Girls
Mst Dhruv Sakpal - Football Runner Up
Mst Pranay Wagh  - Table Tennis Boys
Ms Hetvi Katira - Table Tennis Girls
Ms Isha Kuthpady - Solo Dancing Competition
Mst. Aryan Malusare - Instrumental Music Competition (Drum)
 

What are your personal interests in Music, Art, Dance or Sports and how do you continue to pursue them?

I love music and arts. Though I’m not a sportsman, I take keen interest in sports events like Table Tennis, Basketball and football.I also love yoga.