Once my mentor's words etched themselves into my mind: "The choice between getting marks and making a mark is a courageous one. That is why very very few make a mark... Others just whine about rules designed to keep people inside the box." These words, along with another powerful statement I once heard - "Revolution in Education will come from a person who doesn't belong from the Education sector itself..." - have become my constant companions. They've walked with me through the loneliness I often felt while founding my institute at the tender age of 20, a loneliness born from the scarcity of believers in my vision of education beyond marks.
Six years have passed, and while the journey hasn't been easy, it's been profoundly worthwhile. These exact sentiments echoed in Kiran's words as I delved into her book, "Every Child Can." This reflection isn't about detailing Riverside School's design-oriented and mindful approach to education. Instead, it's a symphony of my thoughts as I read this book, feeling an intense connection with my life's work.
My mind wanders to my own school days, where our principal, Sister Jees, possessed an extraordinary gift - she knew every student and parent by name in our 1000-1200 strong school. That personal touch, that genuine connection, seems to have faded in today's educational landscape, replaced by transactional relationships. Kiran's narrative about Raag resonates deeply: "'What is his roll number?' That was the day I took my son out of the School." It's a stark reminder of how we've reduced children to numbers.
The concept of "Teacher by choice or Teacher by chance" is a game-changer, and Kiran proves herself to be a teacher by design. It's about questioning the status quo, refusing to do things just because "that's how they've always been done." It involves design thinking, using first principles to reimagine every process, and building relationships to construct such a school.
Before embarking on my own educational venture, I harbored the naive belief that building innovative things would be purely fascinating and exciting. That myth shattered when I encountered the challenges posed by every stakeholder in our education system. In a conventional school, grades or marks serve as metrics, but I was attempting to revolutionize the entire evaluation system. Articulating our vision and approach has been the most challenging yet essential task. Kiran's book, through its various chapters, illuminates similar challenges and Riverside's unique approaches to tackling them.
A vivid memory surfaces - a 13-year-old approaching me after a parent-teacher meeting, asking, "Sir, today was PTM, and the teacher complained about me to my parents and the same things she told to the parents of almost everyone. Why do we not get appreciation from teachers anytime?" This scenario, unfortunately common in most schools, highlights a systemic issue. Instead of passing stress down to students, demanding more to achieve more, we should be communicating with them and making collective decisions. Involving students in decision-making might seem daring to many, but I believe it's crucial.
As I read this book during my travels, I found myself exploring videos of Riverside School and articles about the book on LinkedIn. A common refrain emerged: "I wish I had studied in a school like this." While I understand the sentiment, I prefer not to dwell on regrets about the past. Instead, I feel proud of initiatives like Riverside School. Many attribute its success solely to Kiran, but as I conclude this book, I realize that Kiran hasn't just created a school - she's cultivated a design legacy for reimagining education.
"Every Child Can" isn't just a book - it's an inspiration that will fuel the passion of teachers and edupreneurs for years to come. It's a testament to the power of design thinking in education, a beacon for those of us striving to make a mark rather than just get marks. As I close the book, I feel a renewed sense of purpose, knowing that the revolution in education is not just possible - it's already underway, one courageous decision at a time.
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