School education is a truly multidimensional activity. It is very much like studying a rough diamond so as to facet and polish such that it reveals the diamond's true brilliance.

It is during the schooling years that children discover their aptitudes, experiment with knowledge and imbibe values.

Schooling therefore plays a vital role in nation building, not only economically but also socially.

The foundations of moral, ethical, secular and democratic values are laid during the schooling years and schools therefore need to be keenly aware of this responsibility.

Vadodara has been fortunate to have had a visionary like Maharaja Sayaji Rao Gaekwad and his legacy of educational institutions.

The MS University of Vadodara and progressive educationists in the early 50's and 60's continued this legacy in establishing a strong schooling system in our city.

The last decade has seen a mushrooming of schools. This has been very good and has provided a choice to parents and to a great extent relieved them of the stress of school admissions.

In spite of this, quality education with good infrastructure is not available to a large number of children of school going age. Lack of accountability at all levels in the schooling system is also a major concern which needs to be addressed.

The National Curriculum framework - 2005, drafted under the chairmanship of eminent educationist Prof. Yashpal, addresses these concerns in great detail and in a manner that marks a major departure in the ways we impart school education.

Children must be given the opportunity and encouraged to think creatively, critically and analytically and develop a mindset that practices self and lifelong learning.

The ability to work in teams and communicate ideas and concepts clearly and interestingly must form part of the essential skill sets of the student.

The challenge before us is very clear, while the opportunities are in reality a responsibility that cannot be taken lightly or seen only in economic or in academic terms

Of the three pillars of school education - infrastructure, curriculum and the teacher - it is the teacher who makes the other two relevant.

The true challenge therefore in school education across all levels of schools is to inspire and train talented and committed individuals who bring about a revolution in the transaction of knowledge.

Educating the educator in ways relevant to the classroom needs to be treated at par with any other professional education. The study of content and the methodology of teaching it have to be integrated into a seamless skill.

The ability to assess the student's comprehension on a day-to-day basis and fill in the gaps in their knowledge is the most important role of the teacher today, especially so since information or knowledge is available from varied sources and the teacher is not necessarily the only conduit.

The other challenge is in education at the grassroots level. Some experiments in this area have already started. An attempt at public-private partnership in school education at the village level has begun where the state provides the infrastructure and the running expenses while a committed private partner with a proven track record in education promises to deliver quality education.

I personally have great hope in this model and believe that a lot can be done in an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect. Among others, the 'Navrachana Education Society' has committed itself to managing two such schools in rural Gujarat.

A lot of experiments have also started using technology to provide distance learning. This will be our most important tool in reaching quality world class education to the remotest hamlet irrespective of its location, size or number of students.

Technology is available and affordable. The challenge and the opportunity lie in creating the content. We have no time to lose; the best minds in our country, the best teachers, technicians and software and hardware professionals all must be roped in to create content.

This content I believe will be the real wealth of the nation no lesser than our ancient scriptures. Our generation has this opportunity, let us rise to the challenge and spare no effort or money in creating this wealth. After all, it is rightly said 'VIDYA DHANAM SARVA DHANA PRADHANAM'.

Navrachana International School Vadodara hosted the first International Schools Invitational Soccer Tournament 2008 - 09 (18th to 21st September).

The cloudy weather and wet muddy grounds were not enough to dampen the spirits of half a dozen soccer teams gathered at the NISV campus and on Thursday, September 18, the International Schools Invitational Soccer Tournament kicked off to a great start with a drizzling penalty shoot out! The Inauguration Ceremony saw Principal Mrs. Manju Gupta welcoming the visiting teams and addressing the gathering of staff and students. The Ceremony was presided over by the Chairperson Mrs. Tejal Amin who appreciated the spirit of sport in the participating teams and their endurance despite the rainy weather. Replete with colorful flags, enthusiastic teams and cheerleaders full of spark, it was a sight to behold in the clammy weather. The matches were held for three consecutive days with the prize distribution and closure on 21st September 08.The participating teams were:

• Symbiosis International School, Pune
• Podar International School, Mumbai
• B.D. Somani International School, Mumbai
• Ahmedabad International School, Ahmedabad
• Calorx School, Ahmedabad
• Mahatma Gandhi International School, Ahmedabad
• Navrachana International School Vadodara

Take a bright sunny day, a cool blue swimming pool and scores of kids splashing around - and what you get is a smashing SWIM GALA organized by the Physical Education Department of NISV. On 8th of May,'08, a swimming gala was organized for Grades 3 to 12 at the NISV swimming pool, which consisted of 50m Free Stlye, TT Ball Collection and Obstacle race for Boys & Girls separately. The Gala started with a demonstration of Padma Asana in water by Mr. Nagin, the lifeguard at NISV, followed by the competition and the prize distribution. Principal, Mrs. Manju Gupta was very impressed by the efforts of all involved and encouraged the PE department to have more such events with staff and parent participation. Mr. Shiv Kumar Sen, Dy. Director, Sports gave the Vote of Thanks and promised to organise more such Galas, after the summer break!

The expressions of NISV Art Students were put on display, as the school opened an exhibition - 'Treadings' - to encourage Art and talent within the school. This exhibition was inaugurated by H.H. Shri Ranjitsinh Gaekwad, an Art Connoisseur himself, amid the NISV community and visitors and remains open from 7th to 11th April at Welcome Hotel, Vadodara.

The exhibition mainly showcases the Art work of IB DP Year 2 Visual Art students - Ms. Ektaa Patel, Ms. Athika Karolia, Ms. Prima Shah and also exhibits the art of other school students from the 10th April. The students have used various mediums like acrylic and oil, plaster of paris, watercolor, and mixed mediums on canvas to convey various themes.

The Art work sure left all agape and enthralled at the versatility and the intensity of the Artists!

Graduation Day
Celebrations at 'Expressions'
on NISV campus

As the academic year 2007-08 came to an end, and the students graduated to the higher grade, we celebrated their 'Graduation Day' with much fervor and excitement!

Delivered by a consortium of the British Council, Cambridge Education Foundation (CEF), UK One World Linking Association (UKOWLA) and Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO), the DGSP programme promotes partnerships between schools in the UK and schools in Africa, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean. The aim is to increase young people's awareness of global development issues. The benefits to the schools are:
... A global dimension in the curriculum
... Exciting and innovative ways to motivate learning
... Opportunities to the schools and their students to participate as global citizens

As part of the first exchange visit from its partner, Ms Caroline Yuill of Begbrook Primary School in Bristol is Visiting NISV.

Says Ms. Sangita Mathur, DP Co-ordinator, "It all began as an e-link of the French teachers and students and blossomed into this exchange." Ms. Caroline, obviously excited, says, "Though the contrast between the two places could not be greater, I have fallen in love with India. The little taste that I have got from this visit has surely opened new doors we would like to explore. The common project we had identified was water. So here, I have been interviewing villagers and studying the water requirements, problems and irrigation styles and also the modern facilities that the school has. I have also noted the differences in water facilities available to people within the same city. I have brought from Bristol our programmes on water preservation. I will take back so much from here and so we will mutually help each other in developing Water as a part of the Global Curriculum. I am also exploring and sharing our common environment issues in classes. Since I teach French and Global citizenship, I am giving my inputs for the same. Well, I am also discovering the amazing art and culture of this country and of course the cuisine! The other day I visited Jambugoda and devoured on Makke Ki Roti and onion! I am learning some dance steps and also trying some cooking. It's been fantastic!"

Mrs. Manju Gupta, Principal, feels that "Education needs to be relevant. It should take into consideration the current as well as future needs and the communities and environments of the future. These partnerships bring the 'global dimension' in education and bring the world to the school, changing perceptions."

A reciprocal visit from NISV will follow later this year funded by the DGSP, with the possibility of the two schools entering into a Global Curriculum Project. This is called opening new doors to learning and understanding and broadening horizons.

The 26th and 27th of March 2008 saw a workshop on Asset Assessment for PYP (Primary Years Programme) and MYP (Middle Years Programme) teachers by Ms. Urmila Oza, Educationist & Teacher Trainer from Educational Initiatives - Ahmedabad.

 This was basically for:
... Assessing the performances of students of NISV in Asset Assessment programme in English, Math and Science and to find out where they stand in National Performance.
... Analysing the Results, that is, the possible reasons for selecting correct and incorrect options like the ability to apply knowledge in unfamiliar situations and ability to comprehend questions in restricted time.
... Using the Analysis to modify teaching strategies and designing Assessment Tasks.

The importance of Rubrics and Descriptors was emphasized as they tell us what has been achieved and what needs to be achieved.

Overall, the purpose of the workshop was met as all teachers felt that it helped them
... To understand the importance of standardized assessment
... To enrich and modify their teaching strategies
... To recognize the importance of sharing experiences
... To find solutions for behavioral problems in students
... To modify or strengthen their assessment plans
So, kudos to all of us for keeping abreast and in pace with world trends!