Jagpreet Singh
Headmaster, The Doon School, Dehradun

Former principal of The Punjab Public School, Nabha, Dr. Jagpreet Singh is the recently (April 2020) appointed headmaster of the top-ranked all-boys boarding The Doon School, Dehradun (TDS, estb.1935).

Degree of satisfaction with TDS’ switch to the online mode of learning. The Covid-19 pandemic has posed many challenges and adversities, but also provided opportunities to realise hidden potential. We are very satisfied with our e-learning programme as it has opened doors to new technologies-enabled pedagogies. TDS has successfully aligned its academic programme to new digital technologies and we have curated a comprehensive revised academic programme delivered through online platforms. It has proved to be time and cost-effective and has helped to connect students and teachers during the lockdown.

Major factors behind TDS’ relatively smooth shift to online learning. Over the years, TDS built a strong IT infrastructure because the board and management always believed IT would play an enabling role in education. Therefore when the pandemic hit us, it wasn’t a shock as we were technologically equipped for the transition. Latest digital software was dovetailed into our teaching-learning practices.

Downsides of online education. Quantum of learning loss. It’s difficult to estimate learning loss at this stage. However, while the transition to online learning has been smooth for TDS, being a wholly residential school there’s loss of peer and collaborative learning. Living, learning and playing every moment together is the heart and soul of boarding school education.

Whether schools should reopen immediately. TDS’ safety precautions. While we are ready in terms of preparedness, our students’ health and safety is of paramount importance for us. We understand that students are missing their peers and would like to be back on campus, but we place their safety first. Until then, we will continue to provide total online support to our students and look after their mental well-being through online guidance.

Advice to digitally under-served education institutions. In TDS, we believe in supporting and embracing schools that need help in coping with academic and technology challenges. Through our community service programmes we support and enable government schools in our neighbourhood and will continue to provide instructional scaffolding to them through our service projects. We also encourage all other technologically savvy schools to undertake such initiatives.

Advice to government to make up for academically lost ground in the pandemic era. The pandemic has been an eye-opener in the truest sense. It has reflected the optimism and strength of our citizens to overcome unprecedented challenges. But it has also highlighted deep infirmities of our education system. This is a good time for government to become more proactive in providing high quality skills education and vocational training which will enable our youth to improve their employability.

For the full Cover Story:30 Eduleaders weathering covid tsunami