Alka Kapur
Principal, Modern Public School, Shalimar Bagh, Delhi

Alka Kapur is principal of the CSBE-affiliated Modern Public School, Shalimar Bagh, Delhi (MPS, estb.1971), which has 2,540 students and 95 teachers on its muster rolls. Kapur is also president of the Delhi Sahodaya School Complex, an association of CBSE schools in the national capital and proactive member of the Action Committee for Unaided Recognised Private Schools and Forum of Public Schools

MPS Covid-19 response.

MPS was one of the first schools in the national capital to intensively utilise digital technologies which enabled us to continue the teaching-learning process after the nationwide closure of education institutions in end March. Under the Microsoft Aspire School Programme, MPS’ classrooms quickly went digital, and students and teachers were given access to licensed software and Office 365 tools. Moreover, Atal Tinkering Lab and astronomy classes, dance and music sessions, yoga and sports activities are also being conducted online. Moreover, virtual teacher training sessions are being continuously held to ensure our faculty remains abreast of latest teaching-learning practices.

Also read: Modern Public School, Shalimar Bagh: Online learning success story

Major challenges confronting Indian education in the Covid era.

The major hurdles are lack of robust digital infrastructure, poor Internet connectivity and equipping teachers with digital skills and pedagogies to adapt to virtual learning. Moreover, it’s difficult to maintain the integrity of examinations and assessments in the online medium.

State governments’ fees waiver/deferment circulars to private schools.

Teachers are frontline education warriors working long hours during this crisis to nurture future citizens. The school campus is closed, but not school. Our teachers are keeping the education continuum going. If schools can’t collect duly contracted fees, teachers can’t be paid their salaries. I request all parents and governments to make this connection and not damage private unaided schools.

Top 3 proposals for reforming K-12 education in India.

First, national and state exam boards should overhaul K-12 curriculums to develop critical thinking, knowledge application, collaboration, communication, and life skills of children. The country needs innovators, entrepreneurs and problem solvers. Second, government must promote use of technology in K-12 education, especially in government schools. This can become a gamechanger. Third, the Central and state governments should launch a massive national capacity building programme for teachers to prepare them to effectively use new digital technologies and pedagogies.

Future plans…

Every dark cloud has a silver lining. This dark corona cloud is an opportunity for MPS to recalibrate and perfect its online pedagogies; establish links with schools in India and abroad to share best practices; intensify teacher development programmes and introduce STEM and transdisciplinary/interdisciplinary learning.