Ashish Gulati
Vice-chairman, Blue Bells Group of Schools, Gurugram

An alum of the top-ranked Management Development Institute, Gurugram, Ashish Gulati is vice chairman, Blue Bells Group of Schools comprising five schools and preschools in Gurugram with 3,626 children and 281 faculty.

Degree of satisfaction with the Blue Bells Schools’ switch to the online mode of learning. Adaptation from regular schooling to the online mode has two components. The first is information technology and the second its optimal deployment to align teaching, learning and socialisation as close as possible to offline schooling.

The first part of acquiring technology tools and training educators was relatively easy. However, the bigger challenge was to adapt technology to pedagogy and assessment and engage students. Ensuring socio-emotional wellness of students was another challenge. I’m quite satisfied with the transition, especially because it has had the full support of our students and parents.

Major factors behind the smooth switch to online learning of Blue Bells Schools.
The smooth transition was driven by the collective support of all our stakeholders. Mutual respect and will to maintain learning continuity under all circumstances has enabled this transition. Credit is also due to our in-house curriculum development and wellness team which did a commendable task of re-designing our technology-enabled curriculum and pedagogies.

Moreover, our team of teachers have also demonstrated exceptional resilience, creativity, and enthusiasm to re-invent the eco-system for online learning. Ditto our parents and students who deserve accolades for their adaptation, support and commitment.

Whether schools should be reopened immediately. Safety precautions of Blue Bells Schools. This is an area of uncertainty. With no vaccines licenced for children, students are at risk. However, the decline of the second wave of the pandemic has generated hope. In Blue Bells Schools we are fully prepared to reopen.
We have instituted strict Covid protocols, and assure parents that their children will be safe when our campuses reopen.

Post-pandemic remedial education plans. Our first priority will be to comfort students and parents. Students will need time, guidance, and an emotionally safe environment to readjust and adapt to technology-enabled blended learning. We will restart with flexible timetables, remedial break-out group education and ensure no student is left behind.

Advice to digitally under-served education institutions. Widespread disparity in access to digitally-enabled education is a harsh reality not only in our country, but in most developing nations. Budget private and government schools should avail all support offered by government and NGOs to restart conventional classes and make up for their students’ loss of learning.

Advice to government to make up for academically lost ground. The national crisis caused by the novel Coronavirus requires collaboration and cooperation among all stakeholders in education. Initiatives such as the cancellation of board exams and reduction of syllabi taken by government are encouraging. The Central and state governments should sincerely aid schools in underserved areas of the country. This will require additional resource mobilisation for education. Moreover, a tolerant and compassionate attitude from government towards children will enable schools to sustain learning and welfare through these difficult times.

For the full Cover Story: 30 Eduleaders weathering covid tsunami