Learning
Edition 04 | April 2025
Educators Speak: The Changemaker's Voice
Mr. Ashutosh Aggarwal
is the Founder and Secretary of Sanskriti The Gurukul, a pioneering day-boarding school in Guwahati, Assam, dedicated to fostering experiential learning and holistic education. Born in Ludhiana, Punjab, he completed his schooling at Don Bosco School, Guwahati, before pursuing a Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Mechanical Engineering. With a vision to redefine education, he established Sanskriti The Gurukul in 2003, introducing an innovative, student-centred approach that nurtures critical thinking, creativity, and lifelong learning. Under his leadership, the school has gained recognition for its commitment to academic excellence and character development. In 2019, he was honoured as a ‘Future 50 Leader Shaping Success’, acknowledging his contributions to progressive education. Beyond his role at Sanskriti, Mr. Aggarwal actively collaborates on initiatives that enhance educational standards and nurture industry-academic partnerships. His unwavering dedication continues to shape the educational landscape of Northeast India, ensuring that learning remains engaging, meaningful, and future-ready.
Q1. Have you noticed any changes in parents’ expectations and engagement with the school over the years? What has improved, and where could parents contribute more?
Yes, parents’ expectations have evolved significantly. Initially, there was a stronger emphasis on academic excellence and grades, but now, many parents appreciate holistic development—critical thinking, creativity, and emotional intelligence.
What has improved:Parents are now more open to experiential learning and trust concept-driven assessments instead of just traditional exams. Many actively participate in workshops, career counselling, and school events, making education a collaborative effort.
Where parents could contribute more: Home-based reinforcement of classroom learning: Simple activities like discussing real-world applications of math or reading together can make a big difference.Encouraging independent thinking: Parents should resist the urge to over-structure learning at home. Children need space to develop problem-solving skills.
Digital discipline: While technology is essential, balancing screen time and meaningful learning at home would complement school efforts.
Q2. What are some practical ways to involve parents in their child’s learning without overwhelming them or the teachers?
Parental involvement should be meaningful, not demanding. A few practical approaches include:
- “Learning Conversations” instead of Homework Help: Encourage parents to discuss class topics with children, rather than just supervising homework.
- Interactive Parent-School Events: Hosting short “learning showcases” where students explain concepts to their parents in creative ways.
- Guided Digital Engagement: Schools can provide structured reading lists, math puzzles, or simple experiments for parents to try at home.
- Flexible Volunteering: Some parents may not be free for daytime activities, so offering weekend or online involvement opportunities helps.
The key is to make learning natural and enjoyable for both children and parents.
Q3. Which key skills should teacher training programmes focus on to prepare educators for today’s classrooms?
Today’s educators need more than just subject expertise. Training should emphasise:
- Differentiated Instruction:Classrooms have diverse learners. Teachers must adapt their approach for each individual learner within the group.
- Data-Driven Teaching:Understanding concept-driven assessments helps teachers pinpoint conceptual gaps and tailor interventions.
- Technology Integration:Beyond using smart boards, teachers must know how to leverage AI-driven learning tools and ed-tech platforms.
- Emotional Intelligence & Student Well-being: Today’s students face unique social and emotional challenges. Teachers must be equipped to recognise stress, foster resilience, and support mental well-being.
- Real-World Applications: Lessons should not just cover “what” of a concept but also explore “why it matters” in real life—this fosters curiosity and deeper learning.
Q4. If you could revisit your first five years of running the school, what would you do differently?
Looking back, one area where I would have invested earlier is teacher development in experiential learning methodologies. While we always focused on quality education, structured training on inquiry-based learning, project-based assessments, and personalised learning could have been introduced sooner. Additionally, I would have formalised parent orientation sessions earlier to align expectations with the school’s vision.
Ed-tech adoption could have started sooner to make assessments and feedback more data-driven from the beginning. That said, our foundational years shaped Sanskriti into the progressive, future-focused school it is today.
Ed-tech adoption could have started sooner to make assessments and feedback more data-driven from the beginning. That said, our foundational years shaped Sanskriti into the progressive, future-focused school it is today.
Q5. What advice would you give to someone planning to start a new school in 2025?
Starting a school is about building a community, not just an institution. My advice:
- Start with a clear philosophy. Are you prioritising traditional academics, holistic learning, or skills for the future? Your foundation should reflect that vision.
- Invest in teacher training as much as infrastructure. A well-trained teacher in a simple classroom can achieve more than expensive facilities with unprepared educators.
- Assessment should drive learning, not anxiety. Schools should incorporate concept-based assessments to measure understanding rather than rote memory.
- Create an adaptable curriculum. By 2030, many jobs today may not exist. Schools must teach adaptability, critical thinking, and digital literacy from an early stage.
- Engage parents as partners from Day 1. A school thrives when parents, students, and teachers work together toward a shared goal. A strong school is built on values, people, and a deep commitment to nurturing every child’s potential.
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