'Highest Quality Education Would Be Free In An Ideal World'

The focus of education now is on development of the learner’s capacity and capability with the goal of preparing him or her for the complexities of today’s changing workplace.

Ian Davis- Head of School, Garodia International Centre of Learning shares his views about the lack of skills for employment, and preparing students for employment through right learning.   

It is often said that Indian students lack job ready skills. How do you ensure the students learn right and make a strong base for future prospects?

This is a remark about most young people worldwide and is not pertinent only to Indian students. What do we mean by ‘job ready skills’ anyway? At the key Davos economic forum in 2016

Now, few of these are taught discretely in schools. We ensure that our graduates follow an international curriculum that delivers not just a strong knowledge base but develops these very skills. We have to give students the opportunities through different learning activities to experience growth in these areas.

Education institutes became a brand due to the quality of education they impart. But today educational institutions are becoming a ‘brand’ by employing marketing money. Your comments.

The acknowledged key marketing tool of a school is: ‘word of mouth’. In other words what our students, parents and the community say to others is of paramount importance. That is our main focus is on creating a very strong learning environment using the latest proven international curriculum's and teaching techniques. If we add to this an ‘all round’ education that develops student potentials through sport, art, music and extra-curricular activities, then we are building well balanced, thoughtful, creative, ethical and responsible leaders for the future. Marketing only works when it reflects the core components of a school – it does not create them. 

Cost of Education is rising fast. In fact, many times it becomes a hindrance for imparting education to the right meritorious candidate. Can you share your thoughts on this?

Education in an ideal world would be free to everyone with everyone receiving the highest quality of trained teachers and facilities. Unfortunately, this is not so. 

Firstly, we have maintained a very competitive level of fees for an international school that offers a similar calibre of education and facilities. Secondly, we have created a very popular scholarship scheme whereby we encourage students of all backgrounds and curriculums to enter an annual competition to receive a free or partially supported education. Thirdly, we have our education trust exists to help individuals achieve access to a high level of education. Many individuals have been helped to achieve this after direct intervention and support from the board.

Are you happy with the pace at which education is changing?

The key here is that often many educational ‘improvements’ are not grounded in proven research. For many years companies and schools would encourage students to recognise and develop their ‘learning style’. There is no educational evidence that Learning Styles education makes any difference to academic achievement or understanding. So, you could say that education sometimes goes too fast and is too quick to throw away tried and tested methods. 

Many talk of technology as being the answer today. However, technology is not a replacement for a skilled teacher – it is simply another tool that experienced educators use to offer a different learning experience. As educators we need to make technology work for us.

Education is the root of every working professional. How to create students who are skilled enough to be employed?

Quite simply our aim is to create ‘lifelong learners’. This means giving graduates the skills to continue developing themselves in the future. Most young people will enter at least five different careers, not jobs, during their lifetime. The top ten jobs for 2020 have not even been thought of yet. So, how can we teach students to enter such a world? Through critical thinking, adaptability and a personal belief that learning never ends.

How is Garodia influencing the education sector?

Garodia is committed to training and developing Indian teachers through higher levels of training and giving opportunities to teach on international curriculums. The latest venture is the new state of the art campus which houses the main international programs and aims to be one of the leading schools in India very soon.

Rajguru Tandon

BW Reporters The author is a correspondent with BW Businessworld with keen interest in HR and employee welfare.