Education has undergone transformational change
The Tribune Principals’ Meet 2024: ‘Overhauling education system: Growing expectations’
Avneet Kaur
Tribune News Service
Jalandhar, December 14
Principals and representatives from prominent schools of Jalandhar, Phagwara, Kapurthala and Hoshiarpur today attended the annual edition of Principals’ Meet organised by The Tribune Group of Newspapers in association with Chitkara University. This year’s theme, “Overhauling the Education System: Growing Expectations”, sparked discussions on the transformative changes happening and the need to align Indian education with global standards.
The keynote address was delivered by Aadi Garg, a psychologist and career counsellor, with over eight years of experience in the field of education. Garg offered critical insights into the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, calling it a visionary roadmap to transform Indian education. He stressed the NEP’s core values of accessibility, equity, affordability and accountability, noting that these principles aim to reimagine the education system to meet both national and international aspirations.
Garg highlighted how NEP-2020 aligns with India’s global education mission, which includes making India a hub of learning, innovation and research. The policy emphasises foundational literacy and numeracy, multidisciplinary approaches and creativity, aimed at producing globally competent graduates. “Indian education requires more responsiveness, effectiveness and communication,” he said, underlining the importance of evolving from traditional approaches to modern, learner-centric models.
A key focus of the session was the transformative role of technology in education. Garg explained how initiatives like the National Digital Education Architecture (NDEAR) and the National Educational Technology Forum (NETF) aim to modernise India’s vast education network, which caters to over 260 million students across 2.5 million schools. He said that NDEAR creates a unified framework for digital solutions, promoting seamless access to resources and equitable opportunities for students and educators. NETF, on the other hand, fosters collaboration between tech innovators and academic institutions, encouraging the development of cutting-edge educational tools.
Garg noted that these advancements are critical but must complement, not replace, the role of educators. “Technology alone may not revolutionise the education system, but a transformed educational approach benefits society,” he emphasised. He further said that educators play the most crucial role in shaping the future, acting as the guiding force for students. Technology, while essential for modern learning, should serve as an enhancement, empowering teachers to connect with and inspire their students more effectively
Delving into research-driven education, Garg discussed SPARC (Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration). He explained that SPARC facilitates partnerships between Indian and global institutions, enabling joint research initiatives and knowledge exchange. By emphasising research as a core component of education, SPARC aims to instill critical thinking and innovation among students and faculty alike. This aligns with the NEP’s vision of holistic development, ensuring that students are equipped not only with knowledge but also with the skills to apply it in a real-world scenario.
Garg also addressed significant reforms in administrative and academic processes through programmes like the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) and the Nishtha teacher training initiative. He explained how ABC allows students to seamlessly transfer credits across institutions, encouraging multidisciplinary studies. Nishtha, meanwhile, equips educators with the skills needed to adapt to modern teaching methods and diverse learning needs.
Another highlight of the discussion was India’s progress in literacy and enrollment. Garg noted that the country’s Gross Enrollment Ratio in education has climbed from 20 per cent to 50 per cent, reflecting improved access to education. However, he emphasised the need to bridge existing gaps and ensure all students receive quality education.
Referring to the Performance Grading Index (PGI) of Punjab and Chandigarh, he highlighted how this comprehensive system is meticulously crafted to evaluate and enhance the performance of states and Union Territories in the education sector. It measures performance under two primary categories: Outcomes and Governance Management, using 73 detailed indicators in alignment with the goals of the NEP 2020. “This structured framework serves to identify critical areas requiring attention while encouraging data-driven strategies for improvement,” he said, adding that Punjab, scoring 647, and Chandigarh, with an impressive 690, are among the top 2 per cent of performers nationwide.
An interactive question-and-answer session allowed principals and teachers to share insights and challenges. Garg praised the enthusiasm and commitment of educators, urging them to adopt innovative strategies tailored to their unique institutional contexts.
Preeti Chaudhry, Director of the Office of Strategic Initiatives at Chitkara University, echoed similar sentiments during her address. Chaudhry said that overhauling the education system is about aligning it with the 21st century goals of inclusivity, innovation and global competence, ensuring every individual is empowered to thrive in a fast-changing world.
She highlighted the importance of holistic and tech-enabled education, stressing both academic excellence and student well-being. She noted that tools are essential, success depends on creating environments that promote learning, listening and laughter.
Schools in attendance
Innocent Hearts School
Sanskriti KMV School
La Blossom School
Seth Hukam Chand SD Public
APJ Group of Institutions
Saffron Public School
Police DAV Public School
Army Public School
Kendriya Vidyalaya-4
CT World School
St Soldier School and others
This was a brainstorming session in every sense. The discussions surrounding practical steps to integrate technology while maintaining a balance with human-centric teaching was much needed. There is growing demand for a student-centred approach, personalised learning paths and mental health support within schools to cater to diverse needs. Integrating technology, fostering teacher training programmes and building infrastructure are pivotal to this transformation. —Dr Sandeepa Sood, Principal, Principal, Saffron Public School, Phagwara.
The session truly brought to us the latest education trends. It’s no longer about answer-based learning; today, the focus is more on question-based learning. This shift aligns with the need to foster critical thinking and problem-solving skills in our students. Additionally, it made us think how the environment plays an essential role in the learning process. Concepts like SPARC and NDEAR show how technology, combined with creative teaching methods, can foster this kind of environment. It was a great reminder of the fundamental changes needed to move towards a more adaptive and meaningful learning approach for the future. —Gagandeep Singh, Principal, Government High School, Hamira, Kapurthala
What stood out for me was the emphasis on building collaborative environments—- both physical and virtual —- that support inquiry-driven learning. This approach will help students develop vital skills such as creativity, adaptability and critical analysis—skills that are increasingly being demanded by parents who expect their children to thrive not just in exams, but in life. With these
tools, we are better equipped to meet tomorrow’s expectations. —Chander Shekhar, Punjab State Resource Person for English
Today, it’s no longer about spoon-feeding students with facts but guiding them as they develop critical thinking skills. This aligns perfectly with growing parental demands not just for academic success, but for the development of well-rounded individuals. This requires education that’s adaptive, relevant and deeply connected to real-world contexts. —Mamta Bahl, Principal, Seth Hukam Chand SD Public School
We are moving toward an education system that not only imparts knowledge but ensures holistic growth, incorporating both academic learning and moral values into a comprehensive approach. This ‘transformative journey’ isn’t about making isolated changes, it’s about embedding everything under one umbrella — student well-being, employability and social consciousness. It focuses on applying learning practically while shaping students into global citizens with employability skills. Our goal is to nurture individuals who won’t just adapt to change but will actively drive it. —Dheeraj Banati, Deputy Director (Expansion and Affiliations), Innocent Hearts School
The session was an invaluable opportunity to gain insight into the latest developments under NEP, especially with emphasis on national initiatives like the Nishtha Programme and the push for new registrations within the education framework. Moreover, expectations revolve around creating curricula that foster critical thinking, creativity and adaptability. There’s also a push for incorporating digital literacy and real-world problem-solving into learning. —Arti Jaswal, Principal, CT World School
