Punjab: Dr Vandana Shahi, a gold medallist in MSc Biosciences, made the transition from higher education to school education with a vision to provide support at the grassroots level. As the Principal of BCM School, Basant Avenue, Dugri Road, and CBSE District Training Coordinator, she has contributed to shaping the educational system. In recognition of her efforts, Dr Shahi was conferred the National Award for Teachers by the President of India, Draupadi Murmu, in 2022. Here, she shares her experiences and insights on education, CBSE and the future of learning, in conversation with Shivani Bhakoo.
What is the difference between CBSE and its international avatar?
The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is one of the most widely recognised educational boards in India, with over 27,000 schools across the country and 240 schools in 28 countries, including Qatar, UAE, Singapore and Saudi Arabia. The CBSE International (CBSE-I) program was launched to align with global academic standards and meet the needs of Indian families relocating abroad. While both CBSE and CBSE-I boards share the same core strengths, CBSE-I offers a more global curriculum, providing students with an international perspective, while still preserving CBSE’s core values and objectives.
What do you think is the ideal foundation for students in school?
An ideal foundation for students begins in the first three years, focusing on their health, well-being, and development as effective communicators. During these early years, children should be encouraged to actively engage with their environment, cultivate curiosity, and love learning. Once these foundational elements are established, the next focus is on developing literacy and numeracy skills, which are crucial for future academic success. Mastery in reading and math gives children the tools they need to learn, think critically, and excel in various areas of education.
How can society better shape the future of the younger generation? Society holds immense power in shaping the future of our younger generation, by creating an environment where every child feels safe, inspired and free to dream. The New Education Policy (NEP) offers a transformative vision: strengthening young minds through foundational education in mother tongue, promoting inclusive education, introducing early vocational training and providing freedom to choose subjects. However, realising this vision requires strong partnerships between parents and schools. We must reconnect these two entities, share responsibility and embrace the spirit of the NEP. Investing in empathetic, well-trained teachers, prioritising the all-round development of stutterers as much as it does for all students is important.
Tell us about your experience in this field? How can we improve the education system? My journey in education began in 1996 when I started my first job in a college. Since then, I have had the privilege of teaching both teenagers and younger students at the foundational level – both of which are undeniably crucial stages in a child’s education journey. However, I firmly believe that we need to focus more on the foundational stage. If we provide more attention and care to this stage, we can nurture not only cognitive abilities, but also socio-cultural, ethical and aesthetic development. By emphasising on foundational education, we lay the foundation for shaping compassionate, competent and responsible citizens of tomorrow.
