Ludhiana principals adopt Singapore strategies for education improvement

A group of 36 government school principals from Punjab, including nine from Ludhiana, recently returned from a week-long training in Singapore. They attended this program at the Principal's Academy from March 9 to 15. The principals learned new strategies to improve education in their schools. The principals are inspired to bring changes that will enhance learning and build students’ confidence. Charanjeet Kaur Ahuja, from GSSS Cemetery Road, wants to create a stage in the school library. Students will use it to share lessons from books they read, helping them improve their communication skills. Shallu Chaney, from GSSS Katani Kalan, plans to require students to present what they learned from their readings as part of their assessments. She wants to encourage self-study among students. She also noted that Singapore's education promotes practical skills, unlike the theory-heavy approach used in many Indian schools. However, she mentioned that it is easier to involve parents in education in Singapore, as most parents there are educated. Smriti Bhargav, from GSSS Girls, Gill, was impressed by how Singapore allows schools more control over their teaching methods. She believes Indian schools should also have the freedom to design their own academic calendars based on students' interests. Manpreet Singh, from GSSS Barsal, intends to implement daily research activities where students can choose topics, conduct research, and present their findings. He believes this will help develop important skills like analytical thinking and public speaking. Singh also aims to promote these practices in nearby primary schools to inspire a broader change in the education system.