Believing in the motto “Practice what you Preach”, Mrs Namita Lal, Principal, Doon Valley Public School, Nalagarh, says — a well managed classroom is a combination of three things – the teacher, the children and the teaching materials available. If all these are functioning then students are engaged and discipline automatically follows. In an interview with Keekli Reporter, we find out that Mrs Namita has a very optimistic view towards the Indian education system. Read on!!!
Keekli Reporter: Please describe any experiences you have had on building a children’s development programmes?
Mrs Namita Lal: As an educator you are always looking for new ways and methods and thus end up building various programmes. Every time you go through the process you kind of feel the excitement and the nervousness of the first time. Each time the experience is different.
Keekli: How will you identify the educational needs and values of students and community at large?
Namita: In today’s world of competition and declining moral values, education has a new meaning. It does not mean only curriculum it also means imparting moral values and life skills so that they become good human beings and tomorrows aware citizens so that the community at large can benefit.
Keekli: Please describe the role you feel parents should play in the operation of the school and in the development of their children?
Namita: Home is the first school of a child or rather schooling begins at home. Education is a triangle where parents-school-children are the three corners and if any one link is weak the child is not able to do well. Parents must spend quality time with their children, tell them the difference between right and wrong and impart good moral values. As far as the school is concerned, attending school meetings and taking regular feedbacks from school helps in the growth of the child.
Keekli: When you visit a classroom, what are the first things you look for as signs that the classroom is an effective learning place?
Namita: Upon entering a classroom I look for engaged learners and good communication skills of the teacher.
Keekli: What discipline procedures have you found to be effective when dealing with students?
Namita: First of all it is very important to win the trust of the children and tell them that whatever you are doing, it is for their benefit. Then involving the parents in the whole process of disciplining them is very fruitful.
Keekli: “You educate a woman, you educate a generation”. Do you agree with this quote? If so please explain yourself.
Namita: Mother is the lifeline of any household. Fathers have always been the bread winner but that has changed in recent times. What has not changed is that women is the epitome of patience and perseverance and deals with children at home. An educated woman can instill good moral values and help them in their education, so an educated woman makes a difference to the entire household.
Keekli: How would you describe your leadership style? And what are the traits of an effective principal?
Namita: Hands on I am involved in every small detail of the school related to quality of education, activities, administration, etc. I am flexible but demanding when it comes to quality. Traits, I cannot say but yes — ‘Practice what you preach’!
Keekli: What is your approach to classroom management?
Namita: According to me a well managed classroom is a combination of three things — the teacher, the children and the teaching materials available. If all these are functioning then students are engaged and discipline automatically follows.
Keekli: What do you think about the Teacher Training Programmes?
Namita: An average teacher tells. A good teacher teaches. But a great teacher inspires. So to inspire students first you have to equip teachers with the tools and give them opportunity to learn through training programmes and apply those concepts in classrooms. Teachers getting professional advice, new ideas, learning new technologies through these programmes will definitely make teaching-learning process effective.
Keekli: Who influences you most as an educator?
Namita: I was highly influenced by the two people, Mr J.P. Singh, Principal/Director, St. Kabir Public School and Mrs Singh, his wife, Registrar of the School. They are two self-made people and the passion with which they run the institution is unbelievable.
Keekli: What are views about Right to Education (RTE)?
Namita: The intent is good but the Act is hastily implemented. Confusion is confounded. The government has woken up to the need of Right to Education after six decades of Independence but there is no clarity on many issues.
Keekli: Pessimistic or optimistic about the Indian education system?
Namita: Very optimistic. Our youth and parents are aware of the values and quality of education today. The stakeholders are aware of their rights. This means better education and better schools.