Founded in 1941, Kundan Vidya Mandir is the first school in Punjab to get CBSE affiliation in 1963. Spread over a 7-acre campus, and with more than 5000 students and 200 staff members,KVM is a technology-driven school with WiFi campus, smart classes in every classroom and spacious fully equipped labs.Navita Puri is the current Principal of the school and has been awarded “100 Highly effective Principals of the year 2016” by Alert Knowledge Services. Navita speaks to us about her school and the education sector.
Please tell us about your Role as Principal
My role as a Principal of KVM school is not only to lead and administer but to facilitate my staff, students and parents so that they become great leaders someday.I, with my team, plan our session and design new creative programs for the betterment of our teachers, students and parents where the learning and teaching journey is fun and interesting. I plan educational strategies to support effective learning.
I am a facilitator, guide and supporter of quality instructional practices.
We have also adopted a slum area school and its 2 toppers of class IV are admitted into class V in KVM and their education till class 12 is totally free of cost including books and uniforms being provided by the school itself.
Who or what is the inspiration behind you choosing to become an educator?
Teaching is one of those professions that keep you on your toes and keeps you young. 36 years in this profession, I am still young at heart and mind. My father has been a great inspiration to me for choosing this wonderful profession as he saw the creative ability in me. This profession has helped me to develop both my professional and personal sides. I along with my students have learned a lot.
How do you manage the demand for good teachers, as supply remains an issue?
KVM family is 78 years old and teachers here join in their youth and retire after a lifetime of service to the institution. Teachers in KVM become best as they improve with age. When the younger lot joins the school, our strategies, work culture and workshops oriented for teachers help the young generation to get trained and gets at par with the older generation teachers and we at KVM deal with our staff in such a manner that they give their best years to this institution. At the end, our institution gets effective teachers which in turn brings out brilliant students.
What has been your biggest success in this institution and what are the three most significant challenges you see in your role today?
Our School had the State Topper of CBSE last year which is possible only due to the healthy and happy working atmosphere in the School.
-Dealing with fast-changing technological innovations is one of the biggest challenges.
-The students of today are so addicted to technology that teaching basic moral values is a challenge.
-Unrealistic expectations of the parents from their wards and their disconnect from their own children is also a big challenge
Your opinion on coaching centres which are mainly focusing on preparing students for competitive exams. Are they redefining the education system in India?
Coaching Centres are trapping the students and their parents in a vicious circle, leading to disastrous consequences for the education system in India, where students are taught fast track skills without clearing basic concepts and fundamentals and that too at very high monetary costs, thus, leading to extra pressure on the students and are many a time the root cause for depression among students.
Concerning the standing of Indian schools in the global scenario, what factors can make a school in India at par with the best in the world?
To make a school at India at par with the best in the world the following factors need to be considered.
-We first need to have one system of education all over the country. We require a single Board with a solid curriculum.
-Training in sports needs to be vastly improved in our country.
-Teaching as a profession is the last option a person chooses in our country. We need to have better pay scales and improved facilities for our teachers to attract quality teachers.
-All jobs need to be treated equally so that students choose what they deserve to be. All streams should be given equal importance.
For more information about the school, please visit www.kundanvidyamandir.com.
Contact Details:
KundanVidyaMandir Sen. Sec. School,
Civil Lines, Ludhiana – 141001
Ph : 0161-2301023, 2301024
Email :kvmcivillines@yahoo.com