A Liberal Arts Education

Brewing Knowledge Friday, May 9th 2025, reading the book My Good School with Sandeep Dutt.

Quick recap

Sandeep introduced the session, which focused on reading and discussing the book "My Good School: Where Passion Meets Education," and emphasised the importance of learning from the entire environment in their educational approach. The discussion also highlighted the value of liberal arts education, the importance of experiential learning, and the need for a balanced education system that values the humanities and the sciences. The group also discussed the concept of the humanities, the importance of a "Happy Teacher" blog, and the positive impact of weekend classes.

Next steps

• Praveen will search for and obtain a copy of the book "My Good School" for further reading.

• Khushi will invite more friends to join the next session.

• All participants are to join the Saturday masterclass for experiential learning and research.

• All participants must attend the Sunday session from 10:30 AM to 12:30 PM.

• Manisha will update the reading sheet on WhatsApp with the new chapters to be covered in the next session.

• All participants are to read "New Teaching and Learning Approaches" and "Freedom to Perform" chapters before the next session on May 16th.

• Praveen will search for and add the relevant blog post link for the next chapter in the shared spreadsheet.

Summary

Reading "My Good School" Book

Sandeep introduces the session, which focuses on reading and discussing the book "My Good School: Where Passion Meets Education," of which he is the author. He explains that they will read one chapter at a time and that the book's content is based on his real-life experiences advising schools nationwide. Sandeep mentions that they maintain a spreadsheet with dates, page numbers, and links to companion articles for each chapter read. He also notes that they expect a student to join the session, emphasising the importance of learning from the entire environment in their educational approach.

Liberal Arts Education's Value Discussed

Sandeep discusses the value of liberal arts education, drawing inspiration from Rabindranath Tagore's philosophy. He emphasises that liberal arts education goes beyond analytical thinking and finite answers, fostering creativity and a deeper understanding of the world. Sandeep highlights the importance of experiential learning, such as through excursions and service projects, in developing well-rounded individuals. He concludes by outlining six benefits of liberal arts education, including teaching students how to think and learn, enhancing wisdom and faith, and contributing to overall happiness and life satisfaction.

Liberal Arts Education Reading Session

Sandeep leads a reading session of a text about liberal arts education. Khushi reads aloud a passage by Thomas Henry Huxley describing the qualities of a person with a liberal education. Sandeep provides guidance on pronunciation and emphasises the importance of clear articulation. The group discusses the meaning of difficult words like "gossamer" and reflects on why good schools should offer quality liberal arts education.

Balanced Education: Humanities and Sciences

The discussion emphasises the importance of humanities and arts education alongside traditional subjects like science and math. Praveen explains how subjects like theatre help students understand human behaviour and emotions, contributing to their development as good humans. Sandeep and Minakshi agree, highlighting that understanding humanity is crucial for all fields, including science and technology. The conversation then delves into the need for a balanced education system that values humanities and sciences, arguing that the humanities are essential for building a just society and developing empathy, compassion, and values.

New Teaching and Learning Approaches

Sandeep announces that next week's session will focus on new teaching and learning approaches, starting from page 94. He emphasises that all sessions are available on YouTube for learning and design purposes. Khushi asks two questions about the meaning of the humanities and the distinction between blue-collar and white-collar workforce. Sandeep explains that the humanities involve understanding humans as part of an ecosystem and respecting all living and non-living elements. He also clarifies that the traditional distinction between blue-collar and white-collar jobs is blurring in the modern age, emphasising providing experiences rather than just products or services.

Humanities and Teaching Approaches Discussion

Sandeep leads a discussion on the humanities and new teaching approaches. He explains the concept of the humanities to Khushi and encourages her to bring friends to future sessions. The group discusses the importance of a "Happy Teacher" blog for sharing ideas and experiences. Sandeep demonstrates how to access previous session recordings and articles on their website. Praveen provides positive feedback on the value-based learning approach of the session. Manisha invites everyone to join the upcoming weekend classes, emphasising the positive impact of Sunday sessions.

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Brewing Knowledge Club - December Reading

The monthly meeting of our Brewing Knowledge Club was held on the 26th of December 2021; we read three chapters:

Value of liberal arts education 

Humanity must learn humanities

New Teaching and learning approaches. 

We experienced good learning through the chapters. With Mr Sandeep Dutt voice in the first chapter, we learnt how liberal arts education can help a child or an individual to think, express, contribute, learn freely and excel. In the second chapter, Humanity must learn humanities voice by Ms Bharti Rao, I must express that this could be the favourite chapter of any humanities stream student or educator. It answers how humanities help run the world and the response to the long-running debate. And the answer is a balanced one. The third chapter tells us how the teachers must change and learn new techniques.

Our journey always goes on, so be ready for the next reading session on the last Sunday of January 2022 at 5.00 pm; you know we never break promises. I end over with the quote. 

Provide us, passionate teachers

We will provide you with a good nation. 

- Kunal Rajpurhit, The Fabindia School
EBD Intern and Brewing Knowledge Club Volunteer 

Brewing Knowledge Club meets on the last Sunday of the month.

See you on Sunday the 26th December 2021. We will have a good learning experience through the chapters:

Liberal Arts and Education 

We will be experiencing liberal arts education and how it's gonna work in this. 

Humanity must learn humanities.

We're going to develop a long-running debate and answers vital for us to understand. 

New Teaching and Learning Approach

Here we get an essential opportunity to understand how to make an action plan to solve common problems among the learning experience. 

So, be there on the day. We never break the learning chain with passionate learners. Let's come together for a better learning experience. 

Let's grow together,

Kunal Rajpurohit

The Fabindia School Intern @GSA

Freedom & Peace - Harmony BHIS

To find yourself, think for yourself

Standing at the balcony of her bungalow, Rachna’s eyes were strained because she had been searching for a streak of light in this darkness but scarcely could she perceive anything or any ray of hope.

She raised her only child with an expectation that he would also become a physician like his parents. Alas! It was not going to happen like this.

It was stormy weather, relentlessly raining outside; sometimes the sound of thunderstorm frightened her, she sensed that it crawled inside her. She knew that the bond with parent and child is always incredibly strong, and unfortunately, we often have the most tension with those whom we love and care for the most. How do lots of conflicts exist between parent and child, even once those children have grown to adults? These conflicts can cause much stress and unhappiness, where the child feels unaccepted or never good enough for the parent's standards. Usually, there are many misconceptions, as parents often want the best for their children. Regardless, misunderstandings can lead to conflict nothing else.

Raj's parents were surgeons and they also wished that he should also follow them. But how could it have happened when he had different passions and goal in his life? They had to accept and understand his perspectives and his point of views. He was really upset about the incident happened last night.

“I am going to take admission in humanities”, suddenly Raj spoke with firmness while eating his dinner attentively. He knew what would be the next question of his mother, so he was ready with

his answer.

“Why?” Rachna could not suppress her emotion; looked at him anxiously.

“I want to be an arts graduate.” Raj was more rigid in uttering those words.

Rachna was well acquainted with the nature of her child. Once he determined to do something, he would do at all cost.

“What would be your future, then?” her voice shivered thinking of his uncertain life.

“Don’t worry, I will prove myself. I spoke to my teacher today. She appreciated me a lot and accepted my views which strengthened my confidence,” taking a sip in a glass, he continued, “Now, you allow me to do so.”

Rachna stared at his father, munching the last delicacy insatiably, who was always clueless, never liked to do any kind of interference in someone’s life.

“See Raj, you are brought up as a free thinker, you are free now also to choose your own way….” Rachna felt a sense of helplessness as it was unexpected; hardly had she thought her child would choose humanities. Undoubtedly, Raj made his parents stunned.

 Raj’s result of grade X was about to be declared. He was the only son of his parents who were the famous surgeons of the city. They had obviously a dream about their son to be a successful doctor.

After this statement of Raj, the parents had to spend a few sleepless nights.

But finally, they decided to give Raj his freedom of choice of career after discussing with him his future plans.

Currently, Raj is a dedicated IPS officer honestly performing his duties. He is very much satisfied with what he is doing today.

His parents rightly have their peace of mind that they allowed their son to live his life in his own way at the cost of their noble desire.

It's true that education can develop one's mind to think freely and that kind of freedom in and of itself is invaluable. All this can be developed when students approach their studies freely, can think rationally without fear of future or greed of some kind. So freedom for a student means freedom from fear, greed, weaknesses and 100% attention on developing long-term skills.

Harmony @ Billabong High International School, Thane 

- Abira Chakraborty, Pooja Khona, Bhumika Ailsinghani, Rajshri Rane, Soniya Kuril, Poonam Choudhary, Kavita Shetty

Why study and teach ‘Humanities’?

My thoughts on the relevance of pursuing HUMANITIES at the Senior Secondary level, given that it must be mandatory till the Secondary level in any case...

As a teacher of Social Sciences, I have always been intrigued by the expected outcome of teaching and learning the subjects under the spectrum of Social Sciences. I have often asked myself, what is the quintessence of education in the larger framework?  Is it for skill development, is it for knowledge acquisition, is it for a living, or is it for a good life, is it for the self, is it for the society?

However, over the last 2 decades as a teacher of Geography & the Head of Department of Humanities,  when I have tried to push the case for ‘Humanities’,  it has been a battle, it has been an uphill task, it has been upstream, it has been tough, but it has been  worth, every bit of it. 

Introducing students in the country to the idea of Social Sciences in the Primary years is exciting and now with the introduction of curricula which have a wider appreciation in the world , Humanities have got a boost. Through the Middle years too, we wonder if we should ‘integrate’ Humanities or get into ‘specialisation’.  But somewhere, in the Senior Secondary level, Humanities, loses, and it loses big time. We do not have the passion to push these subjects as core academic subjects which are needed to build a strong base for each and every student of the country, irrespective of the curriculum they undertake. I am now talking about the subjects of Geography, History, Psychology, World Religions, Environmental Systems and Societies and Global Politics, in particular. Of these, some have become fashionable of late, thanks to the unpredictable nature of the environment and the economy at large. Strife in leading our lives in different parts of the world is now the new leveler, disasters unite Humanity and that is when studying the essence of such subjects come to the fore. When we pride on our individual identity, yet are ready to sacrifice that, for a larger cause which is beyond our geography, race, gender, ability, caste, creed, language, socio-economic class, education and quality of life.