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True Purpose of Education

As professionals in the education industry, we all strive for a system that supports equitable learning outcomes for every child. However, a glaring issue persists in India’s education landscape – the vast discrepancies between state school boards. This fragmentation, as highlighted in a recent Livemint article by Bibek Debroy, Sanjay Kumar, and Aditya Sinha, creates a system riddled with inequalities and undermines the true purpose of education.

The article aptly points out the phenomenon of mission drift – where institutions lose sight of their core objectives.  State boards, initially established to set educational standards and develop holistic curriculums, have become fixated on conducting examinations. This obsession with standardized testing overshadows crucial aspects like critical thinking and creativity, hindering a child’s overall development.

The existence of a staggering 60 school boards, each with its own curriculum and priorities, creates an uneven playing field for students. Imagine a national-level race where participants train on different tracks, with some starting miles ahead. This is the reality for Indian students, where board affiliation significantly impacts learning outcomes and opportunities.

The authors propose a solution that emphasizes collaboration over standardization. State boards should prioritize aligning their curriculums with the NCF (National Curriculum Framework), a framework developed under the NEP (National Education Policy) 2020. This would ensure a strong educational foundation that meets national standards while allowing for regional variations. Aligning curriculums with the NCF can encourage a growth mind-set by providing a broader educational experience.

As an advocate for educational equity, we at CIVOM  believe individual schools hold the potential to drive positive change. By encouraging a culture of innovation and collaboration, schools can create learning environments that nurture the potential of every child, regardless of their background or the specific board they are affiliated with.

Here are some actionable steps school leaders can take:

  1. Schools leaders can proactively integrate the spirit of the NCF within their existing curriculums, encouraging critical thinking, creativity, and holistic development alongside subject-specific knowledge.
  2. Invest in professional development programs that equip teachers with innovative pedagogical approaches aligned with the NCF.
  3. Schools within the same state board can collaborate to share resources and best practices, promoting a more cohesive learning experience.
  4. Partner with local organizations to enhance educational opportunities, particularly for students from underprivileged backgrounds.
  5. Utilize technology effectively to personalize learning experiences and address individual student needs.

A thought-provoking TED Talk by Salman Khan, founder of Khan Academy, emphasizes the importance of personalized learning and speaks about flipping the classroom,

https://ed.ted.com/lessons/let-s-use-video-to-reinvent-education-salman-khan

Khan argues for a flipped classroom model where students learn concepts at home and utilize classroom time for deeper exploration and problem-solving.  School leaders with state boards can take inspiration and apply these ideas to align with the NCF framework.

Another relevant example Sir Ken Robinson, in his famous TED Talk “Do Schools Kill Creativity?”, highlighted the need for a more holistic approach to education that nurtures creativity and critical thinking skills.

https://www.ted.com/talks/sir_ken_robinson_do_schools_kill_creativity?language=enRobinson’s ideas resonate strongly with Sanjay Kumars’ call for a shift towards encouraging critical thinking and holistic development in our education system.

Let’s move beyond the confines of standardized tests and examinations and empower our students to thrive in a dynamic world. Do you think by actively engaging in these efforts, we can pave the way for a more inclusive and impactful education system?

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Hi, I’m Mr. Selvaraj, Principal of ACT Secondary School. After hearing about CIVOM, we decided to set up a library in our school. We approached CIVOM and their team, who came to meet with me. The first meeting went very well; they explained clearly how they would set up the library, including the different models, designs, and materials for furniture and racks. It took them about two months to manufacture the materials and furniture. Once everything was ready, they came to our school, identified the room for the setup, and completed the entire project in just 4-5 days. They took care of everything—flooring, materials, furniture, and the complete interior. The results were fantastic. On the first day back, the students immediately fell in love with the library. They were drawn to the welcoming environment, the new furniture, and the overall positive atmosphere. This new library has created a wonderful space that motivates and energizes the students to engage with books. I highly recommend CIVOM to other schools for setting up their libraries. Thank you.
Mr. Selvaraj (Principal)
ACTS Secondary School. Bangalore
CIVOM has done an outstanding job, and what we appreciate most is their willingness to understand our specific needs. They offer flexible solutions rather than sticking to a fixed style.
The Beaumont concept they introduced is modern and open, which suits our vision for a classroom environment. The furniture is not only child-friendly but also supports teachers in their work. The children love moving the furniture to create their own spaces, which enhances their learning experience.
We are very happy with the results and plan to continue working with CIVOM to explore similar solutions for older students.

Mrs. Kalyani Patnaik, Prinicipal
Hiranandani Foundation School Mumbai
I’m Poonam Saini, Principal of GD Goenka Public School in Indore. Our school’s vision is to provide value-based education with innovation and creativity. To support this vision, it was crucial to set up a library that helps shape our students' character and instill a love for reading.
In today’s technology-driven world, attracting children to read can be challenging. We needed a library that was modern, functional, and aesthetically pleasing. That’s when we found CIVOM, based in Indore, working with Raeco from Australia. They understood our vision and our passion for encouraging reading among students.
Thanks to CIVOM, our library has become a favorite spot for the children. It’s user-friendly and beautifully designed, helping us achieve our goal of fostering a love for reading. Thank you, CIVOM, for creating such an amazing library for us.

Mrs. Poonam Saini (Principal)
GD Goenka Public School. Indore (MP)
I’m delighted to share that the Vikram Sarabhai Library has been successfully restored and reopened. This significant project modernized the library while respecting its legacy, blending traditional elements with contemporary design to meet the needs of today’s learners.
CIVOM played a crucial role in this upgrade, providing bright, flexible furniture and enhancing the library’s overall ambience. Their team helped us design functional spaces, including new shelves and technology areas, that have been well-received by users.
The library’s daily visits have increased, reflecting the success of our partnership with CIVOM. We’re very satisfied with the results and appreciate their excellent work. Thank you, CIVOM!

Late. Dr. H. Anil Kumar Head Librarian,
Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad
CIVOM has set up several state-of-the-art laboratories on the campus of Parul University. Among the most notable are the Medical Library at the Parul Institute of Medical Sciences and Research and our library for the BBA college. If you visit these libraries, you'll see some of the finest facilities in university education.
In addition to the libraries, CIVOM has also established admission cell offices and faculty offices for us. The feedback from parents, students, and teachers has been overwhelmingly positive. Everyone is very satisfied with the work done by CIVOM. The promoters of CIVOM have a fantastic sense of aesthetics, and the comfort and quality of their infrastructure are remarkable.
Given our satisfaction with this project, we have also entrusted CIVOM with the establishment of our Homeopathy and Ayurveda libraries, which will be coming up soon. Additionally, they will be setting up various faculty offices on our university premises.

Mrs. Geetha Basavaraj (Academic Director)
Parul University, Vadodara (Gujarat)
Bangalore International Kids High School is fortunate to have partnered with CIVOM. We appreciate their approach to furnishing our library, language lab, and computer lab. Their furniture is lightweight and comes in soothing colors, making it easy for children to arrange as they like. The setup is informal, allowing students to move the furniture according to their preferences, which enhances their enjoyment of the library. Additionally, the comfortable furniture in the labs ensures that both students and staff can work and teach comfortably throughout the day. We are very pleased with the quality of the furniture, especially the pieces designed for younger children. We are happy to have chosen such a great company to furnish our library and labs and look forward to continuing our association with them in the future.

Mrs. Geetha Basavaraj (Academic Director)
Bangalore International Kids High School. Bangalore