Mrs. Vidya Guruprasad

In this insightful interview, Mrs. Vidya Guruprasad, Principal, Ryan International School, Kundalahalli, Bengaluru, shares her valuable perspective on modern education. Mrs. Guruprasad delves into the school’s educational philosophy, emphasizing the importance of a balanced development that nurtures intellectual, emotional, social, and spiritual growth. She discusses the significance of 21st-century value and skill-integrated learning, the role of critical thinking and curiosity, and the crucial need for emotional intelligence. Mrs. Guruprasad also reflects on her personal journey in education and how it has shaped her approach as a principal, especially in adapting to challenges like the pandemic. Let’s dive in!

    1. Could you tell us about the educational philosophy at Ryan International School, Kundalahalli, and how it aligns with your vision as an educator?

At Ryan International School, Kundalahalli, we strive to provide a safe and intellectually challenging environment for all our students. Our passionate community of educators stands as facilitators for inspired learners, empowering them to become innovative thinkers and creative problem solvers, ultimately preparing them to be ‘Future Ready’. We believe in fostering a balanced physical, emotional, social, and spiritual quotient in our students. Our philosophy is to inspire students to define their own success, one that makes them happy and content. This aligns with my belief that education should provide the discretion to do the right things at the right time and place.

     2. What does ’21st-century value and skill-integrated learning’ mean to you, and why is it essential in modern education?

21st-century value and skill-integrated learning’ means fostering ways of thinking, working, and living that are crucial for success in the modern world. This approach aims at nurturing curiosity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, fostering the holistic development of individuals. It integrates a value system to strengthen the emotional quotient, ensuring that students are not only knowledgeable but also emotionally intelligent. Our focus is on identifying each student’s innate talents and allowing them to explore these talents to the fullest through activities like Indian Model United Nations (INMUN), performing arts, media studies, and more. This method ensures that students are well-equipped with the necessary skills and values to thrive in an ever-evolving global landscape.

    3. Reflecting on your journey in education, what lessons have you learned, and how have they shaped your approach as a principal?

My journey in education began more than a decade and a half ago as a primary-level teacher, and I have had the privilege of experiencing every stage of school education. Throughout this journey, I have learned that plans are only good intentions unless they immediately turn into hard work. This lesson has reinforced my belief that nothing succeeds like success; success is its own reward. During my years of growth, especially as an administrator, we have faced many situations that have had a pervasive impact on our school. For instance, during the pandemic, we made steady progress through online education, and when students returned to school, we applied various strategies to restore normalcy in the teaching-learning process. I firmly believe that education is ever-evolving, and there is always something bigger and better available. This belief drives me to scrutinize every component of the school to embrace new challenges and opportunities.