Dr. Hanif Kanjer Founder director, Rustomjee Cambridge International School, Mumbai An alum of Tuck Business School, Dartmouth College (USA) and London Business School, Dr. Hanif Kanjer is founder director, Rustomjee Cambridge International School & Junior College, Mumbai. I expect NCFSE to encourage active rather than passive learning countrywide. Today, the teaching-learning is teacher-led. This needs to change. Problem solving, project work, and creativity have to be brought back to India’s classrooms. I hope the common curriculum will encourage the development of children’s soft skills. The new NCFSE should emphasise learning as well as assessment of soft skills such as presentation, public speaking and debate. Indian education focuses on learning numerical skills but falls short on application of that knowledge. Our students know formula for calculating area of a rectangle — length x breadth. But, most are unable to estimate the area of their living room or classroom. I am looking forward to NCFSE encouraging teachers and exam boards to accord significant assessment weightage to practical learning. I am hopeful that the new NCFSE will encourage development of the emotional and social quotient of all children through drama, music and dance, and social service. This will make the schooling experience enjoyable and enriching for children across the country.
