Leadership, Governance and Decision Making at School

🎯 Meeting Purpose

To explore school leadership and governance through key concepts from My Good School, with a focus on decision-making and stakeholder engagement.

🔑 Key Takeaways

• Decision-making is a vital life skill and a core educational outcome, promoting growth and thoughtful risk-taking.

• Effective school leadership requires active participation from all stakeholders, including board members, staff, students, parents, and the broader community.

• High-performing schools emphasise student-centric learning, strong academic and emotional foundations, community engagement, and inclusive practices.

🧠 Topics Covered

🧭 Decision-Making in Education

• Essential for students' personal and academic development.

• Encourages self-awareness, focus, and reflection amid distractions.

• Strengthened through practical experiences and embracing risk.

• Involves thoughtful evaluation of consequences, influencing future choices.

🏫 School Governance and Leadership

• Good governance sets exceptional schools apart from average ones.

• Inclusive boards with alumni, community members, and professionals add valuable perspectives.

• Transparency, trust, and strong stakeholder relationships are key.

• School Management Committees (SMCs) enhance decentralised, participative governance.

• Teachers play a leadership role beyond the classroom.

🤝 Stakeholder Engagement in Schools

• PTAs foster collaborative relationships for student development.

• Student participation in clubs and creative outlets builds leadership and responsibility.

• Alumni associations sustain institutional ties and offer mentorship or support.

• Community partnerships enhance a school's social footprint and reputation.

🌟 Characteristics of Good Schools

• Student-first approach

• Strong academic and life-skill foundation

• Supportive, engaging learning environments

• Passionate and skilled teachers

• Active parent and community involvement

• Emphasis on diversity, inclusion, and belonging

• Strong leadership at every level

📚 Next Steps

• Read the chapter "Smart Teachers Make Smart Classes" before the next session.

• Reflect on the conclusion: "My Good School: Where Passion Meets Education."

• Review shared articles and video resources.

• Consider the distinction between instruction-based vs. direction-based leadership in your school context.

✨ We'd love to hear your reflections! Please share your key takeaways from the session by commenting below our post or emailing them to mk@learningforward.org.in. Your insights help enrich our collective learning experience.

Join us at the Global Educators Festival

Get ready for the Global Ed Fest—an electrifying event where innovative minds come together to tackle pressing educational challenges! Mark your calendars for July 31, 2025, because you won't want to miss this fantastic experience, explicitly curated for India's school community. We at the Good Schools Alliance can't wait to welcome you to the colourful and dynamic Pink City! 

 

Join us as we unite to ignite ideas and cultivate a passion for learning! Let's make waves in education! #JoyOfLearning #HappyTeachers #EducationRevolution #GreatSchools #Conference #SGEF2025

 

Visit the website for details:

GlobalEdFest.com

Hum Honge Kamiyab – From 'Me' to 'We'

Every morning at The Fabindia School, as we stood in assembly, our voices rose in unison, singing Hum Honge Kamiyab. It was more than just a song; it was a promise—a hope we carried in our hearts. It felt almost like our school anthem, a close substitute for the official school song.

One day, while walking out of school, I noticed something above the exit gate—a green archway that welcomed students, covered in thick climbers and the ever-flourishing karonda tree. Its deep green leaves remained fresh throughout the year, providing an incredible, shaded pathway. But what made it even more exciting were the small, tangy karonda fruits that ripened at just the right time—perfect for students to pluck and enjoy at the beginning of every new term. The entrance wasn't just a passage; it was a memory, a ritual, a place of shared laughter.

But that day, something else caught my eye. Painted in bold letters above the gate were the words HUM HONGE KAMIYAB.

A gentleman (Mr Sandeep Dutt, then the chairman of the Trust that operates the school) in the assembly, addressing the students, told us, "Every time you pass through this gate," he announced, "say these words in your heart. Carry their meaning forward."

I was in Class 6 then, and while the message was inspiring, something about it unsettled me.

A Question That Wouldn't Leave Me

Why just Hum Honge Kamiyab? Where was the rest of the song? And more importantly—why Hum and not Main?

That evening, at home, I shared my thoughts with MaaSa. “Why do we say Hum Honge Kamiyab instead of Main Hounga Kamiyab?” I asked, my young mind wrestling with the thought: Does saying "Hum" make us sound like royalty, speaking in plural like the kings of old?

And then, something else bothered me. The sign above the gate had Honge instead of Hoga. As a typical Rajasthani, I naturally tended to replace "we" with "I," I wondered if the painter had done the same, making a grammatical mistake. A small part of me wished my Hindi teacher, Ms. Rajeshwari, had noticed it. With her red pen, I imagined her circling the words and making us write them correctly ten times over. But then, I realized—maybe she hadn't spotted it because she didn't have a tall ladder to reach the sign! And I certainly didn't dare to point it out to her.

Days passed, but the question remained unanswered.

The Answer That Changed My Perspective

Then, one day, I found my chance. During a Student Council and Editorial Board meeting, I sat across from Ms. Deepika Tandon, our principal. I finally asked her:

"Ma'am, why do we say Hum Honge Kamiyab instead of Main Hounga Kamiyab?"

She leaned back in her chair, a thoughtful smile on her lips. She simply observed me momentarily as if deciding how best to answer. Then she said:

"Kunal, when you become successful, it's never just about you. Your success is tied to the people around you—your teachers, your friends, the driver bhaiya who picks you up daily, the Bai Ji who cleans the school, the librarian who helps you find books and even the gatekeeper who watches over the school. When you succeed, all of them succeed in some way, too. Your journey is never yours alone. That's why it's Hum Honge Kamiyab—because success is a collective effort, not an individual one."

That day, something shifted within me. Schools, education, and life are not shaped by a single person. It takes a community. The teachers in the classroom, the staff in the background, even the smallest contributions—each one plays a role in shaping a student.

From Main to Hum, my perspective changed.

Now, I remember those words whenever I walk through a school gate. Success is never alone. It belongs to everyone who walks the journey with us.

And I hope, one day, I will make the same journey.

KUNAL RAJPUROHIT

Fellow & Analyst

www.schooleducation.com

Reading My Good School - 7th March 2025

Quick recap

Minakshi coordinated the start of the meeting and ensured the teachers from JDS were joining, while Sandeep discussed the importance of teachers being visible and engaged in their learning sessions. Sandeep emphasised the challenges of change management, especially in schools, and stressed the importance of valuing teachers and reframing teaching as a sought-after profession. He also discussed the importance of reflection and commented on challenges faced by teachers and the need for personal and social development in students facilitated through experiential learning and mentorship.

Next steps

• All teachers are to read the chapter "Why teachers are averse to change" from Sandeep Dutt's book My Good School.

• All teachers should reflect on the challenges they face as teachers and why they might be averse to change.

• All teachers must write reflections and comments on the blog post about "Why teachers are averse to change".

• All teachers to email or WhatsApp their thoughts and reflections to Sandeep Dutt.

• All teachers are to participate in the Saturday Master Class at 5:30 PM and Sunday "My Good School" session at 10:30 AM.

• All teachers should focus on experiential learning and encourage students to participate in activities beyond the syllabus.

• All teachers should identify and nurture students' passions in service, skill, sport, and study.

• JDS School and Arthur Foot Academy teachers to join the next Friday session at 1:40 PM for the entire month of March.

• All teachers must suggest chapters they want to be covered in future sessions via the WhatsApp group.

Emphasising Teacher Visibility and Adaptation

Sandeep emphasised the importance of teachers being visible and engaged in their learning sessions. He encouraged them to use cameras during classes to improve their connection with students. Sandeep also discussed teachers' challenges when adapting to change, using the metaphor of seasons to illustrate the need for change in their profession. He highlighted the challenges of change management, especially in schools, and shared his observations from 2 champion schools, Jds and Arthur Foote Academy, which were struggling to adapt. He stressed the importance of accepting the moment as a challenge and adapting to it.

Valuing Teachers in India's Education System

Sandeep discussed valuing teachers and reframing teaching as a sought-after profession. He highlighted teachers' challenges, including a lack of appreciation, outdated curriculum, and limited resources. He emphasised the need for teachers to be innovators, free thinkers, and learners, and to see every child as having the potential to be an Einstein. Sandeep also suggested the idea of an India Education Service to value teachers as service providers, not just school employees. He concluded by expressing his optimism about young people wanting to become teachers and the need for change in the education system.

Discussing Reflection, Challenges, and Knowledge

In the meeting, Sandeep emphasised the importance of reflection and commented on the challenges faced by teachers. Neeraj discussed the difficulties of communication barriers and knowledge gaps in teaching. They also discussed a book reading session starting on February 7th, focusing on chapter 7. Sandeep encouraged participants to share their thoughts and challenges via email or WhatsApp and stressed the importance of accumulating knowledge to adapt to change.

Overcoming Aversion to Change and Building Relationships

Sandeep discussed the importance of adapting to change and overcoming aversion to it. He emphasised the role of building relationships and confidence in overcoming these challenges. Sandeep encouraged participants to read and reflect on the topic and to ask questions for better understanding. He also mentioned the availability of helpful articles on the blog for further learning.

Developing Students Through Experiential Learning

Sandeep emphasised the importance of students' personal and social development and encouraged teachers to use experiential learning and mentorship to facilitate this growth. He urged teachers to overcome their resistance to change and start reflecting on their practices, even if it's just through a voice note or drawing. Sandeep reminded everyone that they have only five weeks left and to think critically after each session.

New Meeting Schedule Confirmed for March

The team also confirmed they would attend the meeting next Friday at 2:20 PM and for the rest of the month.

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Session recording is available on our YouTube Channel @MyGoodSchool

My Good School Dil Se - Show Opens 2nd October 2021

Beginning the 2nd of October 2021, we share the joy of learning and how schools prepare children for the world. 

We share stories from the heart and explain how schools can achieve significantly better teaching standards, foster a sense of community, and help students reach their fullest potential.

'Dil Se' means from the heart! 

The seven-part series shares how elite schools connect, communicate, collaborate and create an environment where the joy of learning comes to life. 

In the first episode, we share the story of The Fabindia School, find out how the school has successfully built a great relationship with all the stakeholders - Students, Parents, Teachers and Management - to win hearts and create a school that prepares children to face the world. 

You will find answers to questions like:

How is the human element highlighted in the school? 

Factors that make a school from good to great? 

What goes into making a good school? 

How are values taught in school? 

How do stakeholders work to make it a good school? 

What is the vision of the promoters?

"Warm greetings, Ladies and Gentlemen, we are now going to begin what we can call our history in the making of excellent schools from the country. My Good School Dil Se is a show to bring the best practices of the best schools for whom, for those who are interested in schooling, for those who want to educate children, for those who want to create social capital for the country, for those who want to produce human capital and for those who want to excel in cognitive and character building. And that is what the show is about. I'm Ashok Pandey, Director of Ahlcon Group of Schools in Delhi, and I am privileged to be the host of the show." - Ashok Pandey

Learning Forward Station on Vurbl.Com
https://vurbl.com/station/learning-forward/

You will love the stories shared by our happy teachers and passionate educators. We grow the capacity of your people to improve student achievement and transform your school into a culture of trust and collaboration in less time with fewer resources. Each person in your school contributes to the culture of your school. School culture is built on the actions and interactions of the people. You make your school stronger by adding value to others and making others feel valued.

Vurbl app for ios at the app store and that Android will be releasing soon!

My Good School Dil Se

My Good School 'Dil Se' - Stories from the heart - on the show, we invite all the stakeholders for the school: Teachers, Students, Parents, Ex-students, and the Management, for a candid conversation to showcase how they have together built their My Good School.

We explore:

What is the meaning of being humane?

Elements that make a school from good to great?

What goes into making a good school?

How are values taught in school?

How do stakeholders work to make it a good school?

What is the vision of the promoters?

In this seven-part series, we begin with The Fabindia School. The school emphasizes a holistic approach to education, offering extensive extracurricular programs and academic courses.

Simplicity and Trust - Byju Joseph

Simplicity means simple in all aspects and it is the way to live in a society. It is a precious quality to be possessed by each one of us. It is the humble nature of a person. The person who leads a simple life is always humble in his actions. We can find it not only in his appearance but also in his entire behaviour. He always considers others and gives chances to others without thinking of his own profit. He always tries to avoid luxurious life and satisfies with the basic essential resources.

It is not an easy thing to be simple at every time for everyone. Self-control and strong will power are needed to be simple. At the same time, courage and patience are also essential to lead a simple life. Simplicity leads to kindness. Our former Prime Minister, Lal Bahadur Shastri was famous for his simplicity. Although he had all facilities and power he never used his office car for personal purposes. He took out a loan to buy a car for his family. The life of our former president Dr APJ Abdul Kalam is another example of simplicity. He never wished to earn money and properties. His last belongings were some clothes, a watch and books only.

Trust means a strong belief in someone. It is the base of a relationship. Each and every relationship is built on trust. Being human beings we have relations with others. To make the relationship strengthen, trust is very important. Friendships, families, companies, institutions or any such firms exist on trust. It is time-consuming, it takes much time to be created but it takes a moment to be destroyed. So it should be taken care of. In any way, if it breaks, everything will be in vain.  So it is very important to build trust among all stakeholders and it should be strengthened day by day by our actions in an effective way.

Simplicity is an integral part to develop and nurture trust everywhere. Trust among each individual in a firm is very important for success. As an example, in a school, the principal has the trust of each teacher and that’s why he/she designates each teacher for a particular class to teach. Students and their parents also have trust in teachers. Trust is a bonding and it is developed among students, parents, teachers and management. This bonding becomes stronger by the attitude, behaviour, hard work, dedication, understanding etc. of the stakeholders.

As role models, if teachers show simplicity at all times, students will follow and practice it. This simplicity gradually leads to the formation of trust and the same will help the students for their character formation. Teachers’ satisfaction lies in their students' bright future. So let us work hard to achieve the same.

Byju P. Joseph, The Fabindia School 

Responsibility and Cooperation - Ajay Vijayvargi

Responsibility is one of the attributes that can be considered as one of the `Master

Attributes`, the question is how? If a person is responsible, he will be trusted by more people, a person who can be trusted will be liked and loved more, so he will be respected everywhere, these attributes will, in turn, make him courageous and give him opportunities to lead, which will make him a decision-maker, one who makes the decision for others will be simple and honest, a combination of all this will create an aura around that person i.e. he can be distinguished easily in the society.

 Responsibility means duty which can be towards oneself also along with family, society, country or towards the environment (Earth) and humanity. It can also be defined as an obligation, responsible for your words and action. Responsibility will develop leadership and teamwork, now this teamwork will lead to the other value `Cooperation`.

Cooperation will develop trust and collaboration within his teammates which will yield better learning, output with an increase in work efficiency and results; this will also develop harmony in relations and understanding between stakeholders. The simplest example of cooperation is a family where every member of the family bound by blood relations work together with responsibility  - kids do their studies, lady look after the house and all family members performing household chores happily and of course, the head of the family safeguarding the interests of all members, giving emotional and financial support.

Similarly, the examples of cooperation can be the organisation in which we work, between the leader and the masses and so on. Academicians and Educators cooperate for school betterment.   

  

Ajay Vijayvargi

The Fabindia School