CISCE Principals' Meet Highlights Importance of Learning for Life at The Heritage School, Kolkata

Kolkata (23/7): The Heritage School in Kolkata was the venue for the CISCE Principals' Meet today, a significant event that drew over 200 principals from CISCE-affiliated schools across West Bengal and the Northeast region. The gathering was marked by insightful addresses from Dr. G. Immanuel, Chairman of the CISCE, and Dr. Joseph Emmanuel, the Board's Executive Director and Principal Secretary. 

During the meet, Dr. G. Immanuel emphasized the importance of fully implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) in CISCE schools nationwide. He highlighted early childhood education as a crucial foundation of the NEP. “If you don't implement NEP in totality, it will not be executed. One cannot neglect the Early Childhood Education which gives emphasis on the overall development of a child," Dr. Immanuel stated, stressing the need for a holistic approach to education from the very beginning. 

Dr. Immanuel also addressed the issue of school dropouts and discussed strategies to reduce dropout rates, ensuring students receive a comprehensive education. The discussion included topics such as inclusivity, adult education, teacher quality, and innovative teaching methods. "The CISCE board is always open to support all the affiliated schools and let us work to implement the NEP which will pave a way towards a holistic education for our children, he added, encouraging schools to fully embrace the new policies introduced by the NEP. 

Dr. Joseph Emmanuel echoed these sentiments, underscoring the need for quality education. “The largest number of CISCE schools are situated in Kolkata. Also, students passing out from CISCE schools in Kolkata have made significant progress in their lives. Focus on Quality can only change the face of education offered by Schools in India. NEP focuses on Quality and gives a clear mandate towards Competency-based education. Schools should now look beyond mere textbook learning and should shift towards learning for life,” he said, urging schools to adopt a broader approach to education that prepares students for real-life challenges. 

The meet provided a valuable platform for school leaders to align their academic goals with the NEP. Ms. Seema Sapru, Principal of The Heritage School, expressed her optimism about the NEP's potential. "The Meet provides us with the perfect platform to align a school's core academic goals with the NEP, and we look forward to implementing it fully, as stated by the CISCE Chairman,” she remarked. 

Mr. Pradip Agarwal, Chief Executive Officer of Heritage Group of Institutions, Kolkata, also shared his views on the NEP’s transformative impact. “The NEP has brought a sea change in School education and it will take time for the Schools to adopt its principles starting from Early Childhood Education to an Inclusive Education. The CISCE Board is giving us ample support through such sessions where we can discuss, comprehend and look forward to implementing the NEP for the betterment of School Education in the near future,” he said. 

The event underscored the CISCE's commitment to supporting schools in their journey towards a more inclusive and quality-focused education system. By embracing the principles of the NEP, CISCE schools aim to provide a holistic education that equips students with the skills and knowledge they need for life.