The Man Who Saw Tomorrow

May we carry forward the light he ignited and strive to create a kinder and more compassionate world. Ironically, "The Man Who Saw Tomorrow" by Naga Tummala was published only ten days before he departed from us; the book beautifully honours his legacy and the joy he brought to others. Let's join together in offering our thoughts and prayers for Shomie and providing comfort to his family and loved ones. #JoyOfLiving

The podcast will be available on 27th of September 2024 at www.LearningForwardPodcast.com

Philip M Burrett "I am passionate about Education...

https://vurbl.com/listen/to-Philip-Burrett

Episode #88: Sandeep Dutt in an honest chat with Philip Burrett, an ex-school master and deputy Headmaster at The Doon School, with 43 years of teaching experience. Now a school consultant, trainer, coach, school mentor and traveller. He was taught in co-ed and single-sex boys schools in Delhi and Mumbai until he arrived at The Doon School Dehradun (India) in 1985. He believes that boys end up in trouble; when we look around, we see many reasons. He is very concerned about handling boys and how we can best educate them. His efforts are to move them away from the pseudo masochism that most boys think is needed to become new warriors-men with empathy and kindness. Now retired seeks to take boys into the outdoors to train, coach and mentor. The need of the hour is to help boys become men and make these rites of passage enjoyable. Once a teacher, always a teacher, works to help colleagues and live well with his family. Philip's father served in the forces, and this is where he learnt the meaning of colour, the need to respect women and persevere. His passion for the outdoors must be his DNA, and he finds that learning is only outside the classroom, beyond the closed spaces and boxed mindsets. Finds that boys in particular call for trouble, and the prisons are full of men. This happens because they lack role models. It is time now for 'men empowerment, and this gives due credence to the Mankind Movement he once followed. We can not make half-baked men; there is a definitive need for rituals, routine and rhythm to help reform the world in distress.

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Honesty and Respect - Amit Jugran

As I narrate this incident from a few decades back, it brings back the memories of the fine moments carefully carving the future steps of an adolescent.

We all have been involved in some form of malpractice at some stage of our lives. Probably more susceptible at an age when peer pressure is high, and fake pride is at stake—the chemical reaction within playing havoc and giving very little room for reasoning.

Mathematics was never my cup of tea, and I dreaded the books, class and of the teacher. I had somehow managed to tackle the book and the embarrassing moments in the class, but not the teacher. He too had taken an instant liking to me I guess, as I had become his favourite punching bag over a period of time. I was getting tired of his sarcasm and frankly waited for every class to end sooner.

Trigonometry and I had a very confusing relationship. But we were taking time to understand each other. I was confident that this topic would save me from the bouts of sarcasm thrown at me. I was sure I would be able to sail through due to this topic. However, the next mathematics test was to test many of us. Little was I to know that it would be testing my Mathematics teacher, my Housemaster and the ethos of the renowned public school. Grappling with the last answer and struggling with time, I requested my friend to bail me out with the last question.

The day of the result arrived, and as the teacher distributed the papers back, I heard my name being called out. With a know all look over his face and the confidence of snaring his prey spread across, he questioned my honesty in solving the last question. The question brought forward no response from my end as I could smell a rat too!

Soon I was going through a sermon on honesty and integrity. I could, in fact, envision my mathematics teacher as Gandhi, convincing me to tread the path of righteousness. Thought-provoking examples were thrown at me, and I bit the bait when I was told that “Honesty would be respected, and consequences would not be worked upon”. As I began to own up, I could see the Gandhi avatar taking back the shape of my mathematics teacher again. The skin, colour, demeanour changed in a fraction of a second, and the paper with “Yellow Card Recommended” (Yellow Card - YC - was the highest punishment given to an offender, this was handed down by the Headmaster of the school) was handed over to me as my reward for being an honest cheater.

Feeling, confused, humiliated and fooled, I walked down the staircase to inform my Housemaster. I had got into trouble before, but it had never been in this way. I was worried as I knew that my Housemaster would tolerate a trouble maker but not a cheat. I mustered up my courage and handed over the paper with my fate scribbled across. There was no hint of anger, despair or dejection on his face. He read the note, and his eyes searched my face for the truth. Probably an experience gained over a period of time. 

“Did you do it and did you admit to the mistake you made?”; was the only question. It came as straight as his straight drive we had seen. I explained and confessed to cheating and also that I had admitted to doing it publicly too.

The paper was taken, the matter was never heard of again. I went on to make more mistakes, but I never cheated after that. The mirror of my mistakes was never shown to me, and neither he rubbed it in to make me feel small. My every mistake was dealt with differently, and I was held accountable for the present. 

In a day, I witnessed two very different approaches. One teacher, who could not walk the talk and the other who gave another chance to reform me. One who was ready to punish me for my honesty and the other who respected me for being brave enough to admit my mistake. 

Maybe the story would have been different for me; today had my Housemaster not searched for the truth on my face and had gone on to believe the paper.

Such is my HM, whom I deeply respect...Mr RP Devgan. 

- Amit Jugran is the Principal at Mussoorie Public School and is currently experiencing the Joy Of Learning at the Learning Forward India Academy.

Leaders and Leadership - RP Devgan

Rajinder Pal Devgan

Some years ago a young master, about to begin his first job at a reputed boarding school, got dressed as immaculately as possible and was ready for his first class. As he was about to step out of the house, the Heavens opened up and down came the rain. Though the classroom was about 100 yds away in the Academic Block, he did not fancy the idea of walking into the classroom soaked to the skin. He stood there transfixed, wondering what to do. Suddenly through the sheets of rain, a man appeared carrying an umbrella and with another one tucked under his armpit. Handing the young master an umbrella he added, “The Headmaster thought you may not have one so he sent this for you.”The young teacher was dumbfounded. He could not believe that a Headmaster could be so considerate and thoughtful.There and then he swore his allegiance to the headmaster and the institution.

These are some of the qualities leaders are made of; compassion and thoughtfulness.

I have been going down memory lane during this lockdown and look back at my 52 years as an educator in India and abroad. These years were spent in Boarding  schools, Day/Boarding schools and Day schools. In the first 27 years at The Doon School, I had the opportunity of working with six Headmasters, three  of them British. Mr C J Miller who appointed me as an Asst. Master, was kind, humble and a soft spoken gentleman. He was very considerate and continued helping the Doscos even after he left India and settled down in England. 

After a decade at the Doon School I decided to take a year’s Sabbatical and was accepted at Seven Oaks School, Kent, England. I was delighted because Seven Oaks was a cricketing school and at that time had Chris Tavare and Paul Downton playing for England. I took an instant liking to the Headmaster, Mr. Tummage. He made me feel very comfortable, wanted and important. I was immediately made master in charge of the junior cricket team. I was encouraged  to go out and play cricket for the Vine Cricket Club,the oldest in England. Later I was lucky to play a few games for Kent. 

Mr Tummage took great pride in my talent and was always ever so concerned about my well being . He made me feel a part of the school and gave me the opportunity to visit a number of schools including Eton and Harrow. He felt that I should see more schools and travel around England as much as possible. He fixed up a job for me at Lancing College at Shoreham-by-sea in Sussex. How lucky I was to to be there with Mr. Ian Beer as the Headmaster. He was an International rugby player and went on to become the Headmaster at Harrow.  Mr. Beer was most considerate and thoughtful and never made me feel like a stranger. These Headmasters behaved like colleagues and that is where their strength lay. I found them most unassuming, friendly and yet they knew where to draw a line. Never did I ever hear them raise their voice or be sarcastic. They saw the positive side of their staff and spent time encouraging, inspiring and motivating them. They made you feel important and part of the institution. They were very child-centred and always there for their students and parents.

Back in India, I worked with Mr Shomie Das, one of the finest educationists. Coming from a very academic background, he was a breath of fresh air. He allowed the staff to grow. He gave them enough freedom to work and yet kept a benevolent eye if things needed straightening up. He, with his understanding nature, was able to inspire and motivate the staff. Many of them later were to become Principals and Headmasters of some of the top schools in India. It was indeed very fortunate to have worked under some great headmasters who left an indelible impression on me. Later I was lucky to have headed schools in India and abroad for twenty five years, the last one abroad being The Gandhi Memorial International School, Bali.

One of the lessons learnt from these great Headmasters was that one should never put oneself on a pedestal. Good leaders are part of a team and they are only as strong as the weakest link. Leaders need to be thoughtful, compassionate, considerate and yet firm.  Headmasters have to be child centred and their first and foremost priority should be the staff and students. It’s important to know the staff personally and be aware of their problems and strengths. Happy and confident leaders with no complexes and nothing to prove tend to be selfless and work for the well being of the community and society. They certainly do not measure their success and competency by the awards they win,  which seems to be the yardstick of success today.Their success lies in their modesty and passion as an educator to make a difference in the lives of the students and educators they mentor.

After all an institution is only as good as its Head.

Rajinder Pal Devgan - Chairperson Learning Forward India. With near five decades of experience as an Educationist and having served as a School Leader for schools in India and overseas, Mr Devgan brings in rich experience as an administrator, sports person and champion for teachers. His love for children further strengthens the My Good School philosophy of the personal and social development of every individual with the active support of teachers, faith in experiential learning and learning outside the four walls of the classroom. Currently, Member Board of Governors at a leading residential school in India has settled down at Dehradun, to strengthen the mission of Learning Forward in India.