Latest news with #GenesisGlobalSchool
India Today
16-07-2025
- General
- India Today
How are CBSE schools adapting to the new language policy mandate?
The idea that a child learns best in the language they first speak is gaining traction and policy support. As part of the National Education Policy (NEP), schools have been urged to adopt mother tongue-based instruction in the foundational years. This has prompted an immediate response from many leading institutions across India, not just in policy but in pedagogy.'Schools have started using the mother tongue as a medium in classroom instruction,' said Harish Sanduja, Director Schools and IT at Jaipuria Group of Educational Institutions. 'Books, story material, and audio-visual aids in local languages are being introduced. Teachers are undergoing orientation, and bilingual learning tools are being created to support students in the shift.'advertisementIn a similar effort, Sanamdeep Chadha, Director of Genesis Global School, shared that her school has initiated a phased implementation, beginning from KG to Class 2. 'Our first step was tracing the language background of our students. We're recruiting teachers proficient in these languages and rolling out pilot classes before scaling up.'HUMAN CAPITAL CHALLENGE One of the most immediate hurdles schools face is staffing, finding educators fluent in regional languages and trained in modern pedagogy.'Recruiting teachers for multiple regional languages is one massive undertaking,' said Dr. Alka Kapur, Principal of Modern Public School, Shalimar Bagh. 'For now, we'll wait for further CBSE instructions and upskill the existing staff using digital tools and language proficiency incentives.'Genesis Global is taking a community-integrated route. 'We're working with local training centres to create short-term certification programs and bringing in retired teachers and community members,' said Chadha. 'This adds authenticity to language inputs in the classroom.'Meanwhile, in states like Uttar Pradesh, where Hindi dominates, the challenge is relatively muted. 'We do not face significant difficulty in teacher recruitment,' noted Sanduja. 'Routine training sessions, digital tools, and collaboration with language specialists are helping us gear up.'MANAGING THE MULTILINGUAL MOSAICIndia's diversity doesn't end in culture. The classrooms are multilingual by default. Balancing various mother tongues while ensuring comprehension is no small feat.'At our school, a multilingual classroom model is adopted, where the dominant mother tongue is used alongside English,' said Aditi Misra, Director at DPS 45 Gurgaon and School Director at Dharav High School. 'Visual aids, in-house worksheets, art integration, and peer support systems are part of our daily learning process.'Genesis Global takes a slightly different route. 'We are creating adaptive groupings by sharing language and linking instruction in the mother tongue to Hindi or English,' said Chadha. 'Peer-learning and experience-based strategies cross linguistic boundaries and foster understanding.'Sanduja adds that simple tools—like pictorial instructions and grouping by dialect can make inclusion natural. 'Teachers are already sensitive to linguistic differences and respect them.'BRINGING PARENTS ALONG No transition is complete without family buy-in. Schools are working hard to help parents understand and support this language-first guest speaker programs, and cultural shows with 100% participation help us build partnerships with parents,' Misra explained. 'We'll now include research on cognitive benefits of mother tongue learning in newsletters, and co-create language-rich resources with the community.'At Genesis Global, the approach is participative. 'We conduct orientations and expose parents to global success stories,' Chadha said. 'Parents are even encouraged to serve as resource persons in the Preparatory and Foundational stages.''Folk songs and home tasks help promote solid home-school collaboration,' said THE WAY WE ASSESSWith learning in a new medium, the methods of assessment must evolve too.'In the early years, we place greater emphasis on oral expression and concept comprehension,' said Misra. 'For transfer students, flexible evaluation parameters help during the transitional phase.'Sanduja supports the idea of oral assessments. 'Teachers use diagnostic tools and even cultural events for informal assessments,' he Global is prioritising formative tools. 'We're giving importance to oral, visual, and activity-based assessments. For transfer students, we create bespoke language transition profiles,' said CHILD LEFT BEHINDUnderstanding that not all students will instantly adapt, schools are putting in place remedial measures.'At our school, we offer remedial sessions, buddy support, and supplementary material,' said Misra. 'Teachers are trained to use bilingual strategies in mixed-language classrooms.'advertisementGenesis Global has also planned after-school and weekend language sessions. 'We're introducing bridging modules in the first term, using AV tools, peer mentoring, and teacher-led support groups,' said mentioned summer camps and individualised support as key tools. 'Visual aids and narration help students cross linguistic barriers,' he CURRICULUM CONUNDRUMSwitching the language of instruction affects content too.'Curricular content must be localised, simplified, and made contextually relevant,' said Misra. 'We develop in-house material in collaboration with teachers.'Genesis Global is working with curriculum experts to maintain intellectual depth. 'We are translating NCERT-based content and using culturally relevant examples,' Chadha schools are bringing folk stories and cultural components into subjects like Social Science. 'Charts and e-resources are being modified into the mother tongue,' said Vs MOTHER TONGUEWhile the mother tongue is important in early learning, English still holds sway in higher grades and competitive exams.'Education is globalised today, and English matters,' said Misra. 'We need to ensure a smooth transition to English in higher grades to meet student and parent aspirations.'Genesis Global is introducing Hindi and English gradually from Grade 2 or 3. 'Language labs and bridge courses help prepare students for national boards,' Chadha Jaipuria schools, bilingual instruction is introduced in middle school. 'By high school, students are equipped for English-medium assessments,' Sanduja SCHOOLS NEEDAll educators agreed that government and board-level support is non-negotiable.'We look forward to systematic support—textbooks, digital content, and teacher training modules,' said urged early availability of quality textbooks in local languages, teacher grants, and policy clarity.'Support in the form of regional E-content, assessment guidelines, and training resources is essential,' echoed schools are steadily stepping into a multilingual future. This shift isn't just about changing the medium of instruction—it's about respecting identities, boosting comprehension, and setting the stage for inclusive learning. As these educators show, success lies in partnership, patience, and persistent innovation. - EndsMust Watch
India Today
19-06-2025
- Science
- India Today
Science of Living vs Happiness Curriculum: What's really changed in Delhi schools?
Delhi's government schools are witnessing a significant shift in their approach to student emotional well-being and life skills education. The much-talked-about Happiness Curriculum is making way for the Science of Living -- a more comprehensive framework that educators are calling a timely upgrade for the digital transition from the Happiness Curriculum to the Science of Living represents more than just a name change. According to Dr. Alka Kapur, Principal of Modern Public School, Shalimar Bagh, the Science of Living is "a more holistic upgrade to the Happiness Curriculum". She emphasises that this new approach addresses the real challenges students face today, particularly in our hyper-digital isn't about just making the students feel happy for a while, but about equipping them with life tools for emotional equilibrium, better interpersonal skills, and increased concentration," explains Dr. CURRICULUM FROM AUGUST From August, classrooms in Delhi's government schools will start to look and feel different. Along with regular subjects like maths and grammar, students will now learn how to breathe deeply, take care of older people, and spend less time on Delhi government announced this new change on June 5, 2025, as part of a new programme called the Science of Living. It brings a fresh way of teaching that focuses not just on studies, but also on helping students become more balanced and programme is based on ancient Indian ideas like panch kosha (which talks about five parts of a person – body, mind, energy, wisdom, and joy) and panch tantra stories. It also includes important life skills that students need in today's will take part in yoga, meditation, and mindfulness exercises. They will also learn how to handle their emotions, understand right and wrong, and show care for others. The aim is to help students grow into calm, kind, and thoughtful individuals, ready to face life with are a few key differences in the two curricula:Happiness curriculum: Primarily centred on creating moments of joy and basic emotional awarenessScience of Living: Addresses specific modern challenges like screen dependency, emotional fatigue, and heightened stress levelsSanamdeep Chadha, Education Reformist and Director of Genesis Global School, Noida, highlights a crucial distinction: "Compared to the Happiness Curriculum, it offers deeper structure and greater potential for lasting internalisation of values".SCIENCE OF LIVING CURRICULUMThe Science of Living curriculum incorporates:Digital detox practicesMindfulness and meditation techniquesValue-driven discussionsEmotional regulation strategiesMind-body connection through yogic practicesThe new approach promises a few tangible benefits:Reduced student anxiety through meditation and yoga practicesImproved classroom focus via digital detox and mindfulnessBetter interpersonal relationships through emotional regulationEnhanced academic performance as a natural outcome of improved mental DIGITAL AGE CHALLENGESOne of the most significant upgrades is the new curriculum's focus on digital wellness. The Science of Living specifically tackles issues that weren't as prevalent when the Happiness Curriculum was introduced, such as:advertisementScreen dependency managementDigital detox practices that provide mental reset and reduce stressImproved focus through reduced constant screen exposure"Digital detox, yoga, and meditation offer students the mental clarity and emotional balance they often lack in a hyper-digital world," notes Dr. the most profound shift is philosophical. Sanamdeep Chadha explains that the Science of Living "shifts focus from achievement to meaning, encouraging students to ask not just how to succeed, but why". This represents a fundamental change in how schools approach student new curriculum integrates essential human values - empathy, compassion, and responsibility - into everyday learning, creating what educators describe as more "life-relevant education".PRACTICAL IMPLEMENTATIONBoth educators emphasise that implementing the practices under the Science of Living curriculum doesn't require overhauling the academic schedule. Instead, they suggest:Starting the day with mindful breathing exercisesIncorporating reflection circles into daily routinesWeaving value-based conversations into regular classroom discussionsUsing existing co-scholastic activities as platforms for emotional learningBut proper implementation needs the right faculty and adequate teacher training."Empowering teachers is key," states Chadha. "When educators are equipped with the mindset and tools to model emotional awareness, even small shifts can transform school culture".advertisementCUSTOMISATION FOR DIVERSE NEEDSPrivate schools are finding ways to adapt the Science of Living framework while maintaining its core philosophy. Dr Kapur suggests that schools can "customise the framework by blending it with their existing life skills programmes, creating modules that reflect the unique challenges their students face".This curriculum shift reflects a broader understanding of education's role in the 21st century."Schools are not just centres of academic growth -- they're foundations for shaping emotionally resilient and socially responsible individuals," says Samandeep Science of Living curriculum acknowledges that in today's world, knowledge alone isn't sufficient. Students need to manage stress, adapt to change, collaborate with empathy, and make ethical choices - skills that are best nurtured within the school transition from Happiness Curriculum to Science of Living represents a maturation in how we approach student well-being. It moves beyond creating temporary happiness to building lasting resilience, from surface-level contentment to deep-rooted life schools continue to implement this new framework, the focus remains clear: preparing students not just for academic success, but for a meaningful, balanced, and emotionally intelligent life in an increasingly complex early feedback from educators suggests that this evolution is both necessary and timely -- a recognition that true education must nurture the whole human being, not just the Watch
