Author: VIBGYOR Group of Schools

Teaching for Tomorrow, Learning for Life.

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A personalised, project-based, and purpose-driven approach to education is taking root at VIBGYOR Group of Schools.

In this article, you’ll discover:
➡️ 21st-century skills: Why adaptability is the true advantage
➡️ Live classrooms: Tech, touch, and thinking
➡️ Workshops and immersion programmes: Real experiences, real growth
➡️ The power of the 5C’s: Skills that shape futuresAnchored in India, connected to the world
➡️ Expanding horizons, staying grounded
➡️ Teachers at the heart of inspired learning
➡️ Education with a purpose: The VGOS promise

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At one of our VIBGYOR High classrooms in Bengaluru, 13-year-old Anushka stands before a whiteboard, thinking with a marker in hand. She glances towards her left side and retorts, “Don’t erase that! It is the best idea we have got.”

Dhruv laughs, shaking his head. “Fine, but if it fails, it is on you. I warned everyone.”

Arjun, who had been quietly sketching in the corner, leaned forward. “Wait, what if we combine Anushka’s idea with mine? Her solar panel with my reflective sheet. That way, we can double the light.”

“Double the light or double the chances of disaster,” Tanay teased, drawing a groan from the group.

“Or double the chances of brilliance,” Anushka shot back, underlining her arrows with determination.

The group burst into giggles, jostling for space at the whiteboard.

Their teacher walked past, pausing to take in the chaos and laughter. “Looks like a debate, not a diagram.”

“It is both,” Anushka said confidently. “That’s the fun part.”

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Moments like these capture the spirit of VIBGYOR Group of Schools (VGOS): learning that is personal, hands-on, and purposeful. Every classroom becomes a space for creativity in education, with ideas being challenged, tested, and celebrated with intent.

21st-century skills: Why adaptability is the true advantage

The importance of 21st-century skills in school education lies in preparing students for the world they will inherit. With climate concerns intensifying, AI transforming industries, and societies becoming interconnected, the future calls for learners who can think clearly, adapt quickly, and act with empathy and purpose.

Yet, the challenge is steep. UNICEF warns that over 50% of students may leave schools without essential future-ready skills, hampering employability by 2030. Another report finds that just 9% of students show high readiness in critical thinking, problem-solving, and design thinking.

At VIBGYOR Group of Schools, every learning experience is shaped with this reality in mind. Through hybrid learning models, personalised learning approaches, and a focus on soft skills development, our students learn to think with purpose and grow with resilience.

Live classrooms: Tech, thinking, and hands-on learning

In our classrooms, learning shifts from passive listening to active learning, transforming them into hubs of discovery. This includes:

Workshops and immersion programmes: Real experiences, real growth

Learning extends outside classrooms through VIBGYOR Viva workshops – from robotics, poetry, culinary arts, theatre, and more – creating immersive opportunities and making these workshops a shared journey of growth. Parents have also described how their kids return “full of ideas” and carry on the conversations at home.

These immersive learning experiences help children adapt to the diversity and complexities of society. They are also instrumental in building soft skills development and encouraging critical thinking and problem-solving.

The power of the 5C’s: Skills that shape futures

At VIBGYOR Group of Schools, we champion the 5C’s – critical thinking, creativity, collaboration, communication, and citizenship. These aren’t abstract ideas; they shape our everyday thinking and learning experiences.

Whether through debates, projects, or classroom discussions, students practice listening, reasoning, and expressing ideas with clarity. These skills move past academics, teaching them to work in teams, respect diverse viewpoints, and take responsibility as young citizens. By combining thoughts with empathy and action, the 5C’s prepare learners to lead with purpose in a connected world.

This commitment takes root in initiatives like VIBGYOR High’s Model United Nations (V MUN). Here, our students simulate diplomacy, sharpening communication, critical thinking, and emotional maturity. It becomes an arena where soft skills breathe and grow.

Anchored in India, connected to the world

Our curriculum and pedagogy merge India’s educational policy with global models. It also follows child-centric values drawn from Mahatma Gandhi, Maria Montessori, John Dewey, and other early childhood educationists. Our classrooms integrate tradition with innovation, promoting STEM and 21st-century skills and competency-based education.

This approach aligns well with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) 2022, rooted in play, inquiry, and child-focused learning.

Expanding horizons, staying grounded

A strong sense of identity doesn’t limit a student’s view; it, in fact, helps shape them. At VIBGYOR Group of Schools (VGOS), we encourage our students to look at the world with fresh viewpoints while staying firmly connected to their Indian roots. Every programme is thoughtfully designed to broaden horizons and nurture essential 21st-century skills for students.

Our Global Immersion Programme gives our senior students the opportunity to visit leading institutions such as Ashoka University, Shiv Nadar University, and even universities in the Netherlands and the USA. These journeys spark curiosity within students, build confidence through communication, and foster empathy for cultures beyond their own.

Closer to home, the Cambridge Pathway at VIBGYOR World Academy in Bhopal and Nagpur brings an internationally recognised curriculum into everyday learning. In these technology-rich classrooms, a future-ready curriculum helps students grow as critical thinkers, creative problem-solvers, and adaptable, confident learners, qualities that prepare them for a future without boundaries.

Teachers at the heart of inspired learning

Behind every inspired learner stands a prepared teacher. Our schools place strong emphasis on professional development, helping educators stay current with modern practices – from integrating AI in education to adopting personalised learning approaches.

At VIBGYOR Group of Schools (VGOS), this commitment is strengthened by our Quality Assurance and Guidance (QAG) programme, which rests on three key pillars: audits and guidance, continuous professional development, and rigorous recruitment. Audits and guidance uphold excellence by empowering teachers and students, while continuous professional development equips teachers with training strategies that meet the diverse needs of our students. And through rigorous recruitment, we ensure that skilled, passionate, and dedicated teachers lead every classroom.

This approach aligns with the vision of NEP 2020, which emphasises the importance of continuous professional development in teaching.

Education with a purpose: The VGOS promise

What sets our schools apart lies in what our students learn, how they learn, who they learn with, and the world they are prepared to face. Every choice – of method, space, and mindset – is intentional, nurturing confidence, creativity, and connection in every learner.

Education today is about preparing students for tomorrow’s uncertainties. At VIBGYOR Group of Schools, 21st-century teaching strategies come alive through hybrid learning models and a deep focus on soft skills development. Children grow with curiosity – learning to question, create, connect, and care. For parents, this means an education that builds adaptability, empathy, and confidence. That is the promise of VIBGYOR: shaping learners today for the world that awaits them.

And because conversations on learning go beyond the classroom, tune into VIBGYOR’s new podcast, Beyond the Bell, for ideas, experiences, and fresh perspectives on education. Watch it here.

Introducing Infinite Possibilities Brought to Life

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We at VIBGYOR Group of Schools have always believed that education extends beyond the classroom. It’s about recognising that every child holds a universe of aspirations within them, some already defined, others waiting to be discovered.

We are delighted to unveil our new campaign, “Infinite Possibilities Brought to Life.”

Why This Campaign Matters

When we see our VIBGYORites, we don’t just see who they are now; we see who they can be. A child building something with blocks could become tomorrow’s engineer. A child doodling in a notebook might one day paint on the world’s largest canvas. A singer at a morning assembly could grow up to move millions with their voice.

Every potential is valuable, and every potential deserves to be nurtured.

Our VIBGYORites at the Heart

This campaign comes straight from the heart. We haven’t used any models or actors. Every child featured in our Brand Campaign for 2026-27 is a proud VIBGYORite. Their faces, their names, and their genuine passions are what you will see. Each one embodies the spirit of wonder and aspiration that makes VIBGYOR unique.

By putting genuine students at the centre of this campaign, we are making a promise: that every student who walks through our gates will be seen, celebrated, and supported on their journey.

How We Bring Dreams to Life

Possibilities don’t just appear out of thin air. They require guidance, encouragement, and a supportive environment to come to life. That’s what VIBGYOR aims to create every day.

  • Through our teachers, who are not only experts in their field but also mentors who cultivate potential.
  • Through our academics, which go beyond memorisation and prepare children to face an evolving world.
  • Through our philosophy, which balances knowledge and creativity, confidence, and character.

This is the invisible thread that connects the child standing in the classroom today with the adult they will be tomorrow.

A Note to Our Community

To our students: We see you and believe in you.

To our principals and teachers: Thank you for creating these experiences every day.

To our families and parents: Thank you for entrusting us with your child’s future.

This campaign isn’t just about what VIBGYOR achieves; it’s about what we, collectively, can make possible.

P.S. Admissions for the academic year 2026-27 are now officially open. Call us to schedule a visit to a VIBGYOR school and discover the infinite possibilities for your child’s future.

Turning Classrooms into Windows to the World

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Bringing human experiences into lessons to nurture compassion and global citizenship.

In this article, you’ll explore:
• Why real stories belong in classrooms too
• India’s own storybook: Real lives, impactful lessons
• Real-world impact from India’s classrooms
• Stories from across the world that resonate in India
• Why it works: Bringing storytelling to life
• How to use humanitarian stories in classroom discussions
• What can parents do at home?
• The road ahead: Normalising narratives through policies

Batman fights crime.

Spider-Man swings through skyscrapers.

Iron Man builds suits.

Shaktimaan channels his cosmic energy.

Doga takes down the underworld.

Nagraj summons his serpents to strike.

Sure, superheroes save cities.

But have you met real-life superheroes such as Babar Ali, who became the world’s youngest headmaster at the age of nine? Or Srishti Goswami, who served as Uttarakhand’s Chief Minister for a day at 19? Or school kids in Varanasi, who planted thousands of trees during a drought?

These are the quiet heroes. And their humanitarian stories in education are transforming the way students understand the world.

Why real stories belong in classrooms too

Education doesn’t just involve math and maps. It is more about making sense of the world and one’s place in it. That’s where storytelling in classrooms becomes powerful, particularly when it involves incorporating narratives in teaching that reflect human courage, resilience, and justice.

The 2024 journal The Effectiveness of Storytelling in Enhancing Empathy in Bilingual Kindergarten Students mentions that, by engaging with fictional narratives, children gain a safe space to explore and understand complex emotions.

When we incorporate humanitarian education in schools, we make lessons feel more real and impactful.

India’s own storybook: Real lives, impactful lessons

Across India, real-life narratives are turning into powerful teaching tools, shaping how students learn about empathy, justice, and social change.

Real-world impact from India’s classrooms

These initiatives demonstrate that when students encounter stories grounded in reality, they not only learn but also grow.

  • Bengaluru’s “Classroom on Wheels”: A mobile classroom launched in July 2025 in Doddakallasandra, Bengaluru – the Eco‑Savaari initiative – brings interactive lessons on biodiversity, climate change, snake awareness, and water management directly to schools.
  • Madhya Pradesh’s “Anand Sabha”: From 2025-26, all government high schools and higher secondary schools in Madhya Pradesh plan to initiate Anand Sabha, a weekly student gathering in Classes 9–10, featuring storytelling, games, and mindfulness, to foster empathy, moral values, and emotional well-being.

Stories from across the world that resonate in India

Global humanitarian narratives serve as powerful tools in Indian classrooms, reflecting the values we hold dear. These stories urge students to feel, think, and act with greater purpose.

  • Malala Yousafzai: Malala’s fight for girls’ education has inspired schools across India to host readings and reflections on “I Am Malala,” encouraging students to value education and speak up for their rights.

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Why it works: Bringing storytelling to life

Last year, I read a short story to my students about a boy displaced due to floods. As I read, the room fell silent. One student, usually lost in her desk, sat upright, eyes glued to the page.

After class, she whispered, “Ma’am, I’ve never been in a flood. But I felt like I was there.”

That moment has stayed with me. Later, I discovered research by Dr. Uri Hasson of Princeton, who found that when we listen to a compelling story, our brain waves sync with the storyteller’s. It is called neural coupling, a kind of mind-to-mind connection that makes stories more than just words.

That’s the quiet magic of a good story. It makes the unfamiliar feel personal.

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How to use humanitarian stories in classroom discussions

Begin with a story, not a statistic

Instead of “10 million child labourers in India,” begin with the story of Lakshmi, a 13-year-old who escaped bonded labour and now advocates for children’s rights.

  • Why it matters: Stories build emotional connection. Data alone can’t do that.

Link stories to the curriculum

Connect real-world stories to classroom concepts, such as Sonam Wangchuk’s ice stupas in Ladakh for lessons on climate resilience, or Aruna Rai’s RTI campaign to explore civics and activism.

  • Why it matters: Stories help students apply empathy to what they are already studying.

Use authentic, first-person accounts

Use real voices from platforms such as YuWaah by UNICEF India, Youth Ki Awaaz, and Kalki Subramaniam’s Red Wall Project for great reference points.

  • Why it matters: Incorporating real-life humanitarian narratives in lessons gives faces to facts.

Create dialogue, not debate

Humanitarian storytelling works best when followed by guided classroom discussions with open-ended questions, such as, “How would you feel in their shoes?” or “What could you have done differently?”

  • Why it matters: Encourages students to think deeply rather than argue loudly.

What can parents do at home?

The road ahead: Normalising narratives through policies

The National Education Policy 2020 mentions that the school curriculum will include, from the outset, material on human values such as respect for all persons, empathy, tolerance, human rights, gender equality, non-violence, global citizenship, inclusion, and equity.

Embedding humanitarian narratives into the national curriculum is an essential pedagogical approach. To raise thoughtful citizens, schools must look past blackboards and into the hearts of lived experiences. Because the benefits of storytelling in education for social awareness extend beyond test scores, they build character.

In a world that often rushes past quiet struggles and silent heroes, storytelling in the classroom slows us down, just enough to notice, feel, and care. When classrooms become spaces where humanitarian stories in education are heard, felt, and understood, education moves beyond exams and enters a place of empathy. Because before our children can change the world, they must first see it, not as chapters in a textbook, but as lives lived, rights fought for, and hope carried forward. And that begins with a story.

Chalk, Courage, Change: Led by Educators

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Remarkable journeys of teachers who proved that one act of belief can change the future.

In this article, you’ll explore:
• Illuminating the path: The power of great teachers
Inspirational stories of renowned teachers
> Savitribai Phule
> Anne Sullivan
> Dr. A. P. J Abdul Kalam
• The one-man mission: Rajnikant Mendhe’s journey of grit
> Ziauddin Yousafzai
> Geoffrey Canada
• Remembering Kashibai: A martyr in education
> Ranjitsinh Disale
> Anand Kumar
> Sonam Wangchuk
• Aditya Kumar: The Cycle Guruji
• Teachers in the age of tech and transformation

In a world that celebrates business victories and corporate success, the quiet yet powerful impact of teachers is often overlooked. Yet, behind every curious mind is an educator who believed and sparked change. These are the life-changing teacher stories that don’t make headlines but shape futures in unexpected ways.

Illuminating the path: The power of great teachers

Ask anyone who has achieved something meaningful, and they will tell you: somewhere, a teacher believed in them first. Influential teachers shape a student’s sense of self-worth and help them become their most confident self.

A 2025 Exploring the Role of Empathy in Student Mental Health Outcomes research article by Frontiers in Psychology states that higher levels of perceived teacher empathy correlate with reduced stress, anxiety, and depression while enhancing student engagement in learning activities.

As we go back in time to explore India’s vast educational landscape, with 1.5 million schools and 250 million students, what emerges are not only numbers, but inspirational names. Names of passionate educators who have altered the arc of a child’s destiny.

Inspirational stories of renowned teachers Celebrating impactful educators is about honouring their untold triumphs. Here are seven noteworthy life-changing teacher stories which are stitched with grit, empathy, and extraordinary resilience.

Savitribai Phule: The torchbearer of girls’ education
 
During a time when society shunned women’s education, Savitribai Phule dared to go against the norm and teach. In 1848, she started India’s first girls’ school in Pune, often facing social ostracism and abuse. However, she remained steadfast in her belief that education levels the playing field. She remains a towering figure among influential teachers, not just for what she taught, but for what she stood for: dignity, equity, and empowerment.
Anne Sullivan: The eyes of Helen Keller

Despite being visually impaired, Anne Sullivan became a beacon for young Helen Keller, who was both visually and hearing impaired. Through patience and determination, she taught Helen to communicate, read, and speak, opening a world she had never known. This is one of history’s most powerful real-life stories of successful teachers, proving that with patience, love, and perseverance, even the impossible can be achieved
Dr. A. P. J Abdul Kalam: President, scientist, teacher

“Teaching is my soul,” Dr. Kalam often said. Even as President, he made unplanned visits to schools. He strongly believed that real success was measured not in awards, but in awakening young minds. His school visits, impromptu lectures, and handwritten letters to students made him a shining example of humility and hope.
The one-man mission: Rajinikanth Mendhe’s journey of grit Rajinikanth braves a 50-kilometre journey through slippery mud trails and cliffs just to reach the children of Chandar, a secluded village tucked away in Maharashtra’s Velhe taluka. He has been the only government teacher there for eight years, showing up daily to teach just one student. Till date, his commitment to a single child reminds us that impact isn’t measured in crowds; it is measured in care.  
Ziauddin Yousafzai: A father who taught the world

Malala Yousafzai’s courage is known worldwide, but one of the influential teachers behind her is her father, Ziauddin Yousafzai. He is an educator who continued to
run a school in Swat Valley despite threats from the Taliban, refusing to let fear stand in the way of learning. He championed girls’ education and emphasised
the importance of providing every girl with free, safe, and quality education.
Geoffrey Canada: An educator who reimagined Harlem

In Harlem, USA, where poverty and crime affect futures, Geoffrey founded the Harlem Children’s Zone, a nonprofit organisation for children and families living
in Harlem. This organisation integrates education with social services, family support, and college preparation in one seamless ecosystem. His story is
taught at Harvard, but lived every day in Harlem.

Remembering Kashibai: A martyr in education In 1880, Dr. Vishram Ramji Ghole built a water fountain in Pune in memory of his daughter, Kashibai, who was poisoned when she was eight years old for attending one of India’s earliest girls’ schools. The fountain, topped with a doll statue symbolising her nickname “Bahuli”, became a poignant reminder of the sacrifices made for women’s education.
Ranjitsinh Disale: QR codes and quiet revolutions

At a rundown school in Solapur, Maharashtra, Ranjitsinh Disale brought in QR-coded textbooks that supported multilingual learning, giving students access to audio poems, video lessons, and assignments. His unique teaching methods resulted in full classroom attendance, with a remarkable rise in the number of girls attending. In 2020, he became the first Indian to receive the $1 million Global Teacher Prize.
Anand Kumar: Architect of Super 30

A mathematician from Bihar, Anand, founded Super 30 to train bright yet economically disadvantaged students for the highly competitive IIT entrance exams in India. Using minimal resources and maximum dedication, he helped hundreds crack one of the world’s toughest exams. His path, marked by financial struggles,
personal losses, and serious threats, stands among the most inspirational teacher stories in India.
Sonam Wangchuk: A reformer who redefined failure

High in the Himalayas, Sonam Wangchuk’s Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL) school opens its doors to students who haven’t thrived
in traditional classrooms, giving them another shot through practical learning. By blending sustainability with regional knowledge, SECMOL has brought a significant shift to Ladakh’s education system, greatly lowering dropout rates.
Aditya Kumar: The ‘Cycle Guruji’ Known as the ‘Cycle Wale Guruji’, Aditya Kumar from Lucknow has been providing free education to children since 1995. Riding approximately 60-65 kilometres daily on his bicycle, he carries a portable blackboard, teaching wherever children are willing to learn.

Teachers in the age of tech and transformation

Today’s classrooms have evolved. Screens have now replaced blackboards, and Artificial Intelligence (AI) competes with human instruction. But even amidst these shifts, the role of a teacher remains irreplaceable. Because while machines can inform, only humans can inspire.

Teachers today are not only instructors but also digital navigators, emotional anchors, and lifelong learners themselves. From adapting to hybrid classrooms to incorporating mental health modules into everyday lessons, they continue to rise to the occasion.

The National Education Policy 2020 Teacher and Teacher Education mentions that the high respect for teachers and the high status of the teaching profession must be revived and restored for the very best to be inspired to enter the profession, for teachers to be well motivated and empowered to innovate, and for education to therefore reach the heights and levels that are truly required to ensure the best possible future for children and the nation.

However, what unites these passionate teachers’ journeys isn’t the fame, degrees, or glowing accolades. It is the transformative power of empathy. From remote villages to conflict zones, these real-life stories of successful teachers echo a single belief that every child, no matter their circumstances, deserves to be seen, heard, and empowered through learning.

So, the next time the school bell rings, pause. Because somewhere, a teacher is rewriting someone’s future – often with nothing more than a handwritten note. These are the unsung heroes who are shaping the future leaders. Let’s honour them, not just on Teacher’s Day, but every day. Behind every engineer, artist, and doctor is a teacher who once said, “You can”. And that whisper became a belief for someone. These real-life stories of successful teachers aren’t footnotes in history; they’re force multipliers of human potential.

How To Teach Children Empathy In An Age Of Misinformation

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In the many dreams we nurture for our children, such as academic success, a secure future, and a meaningful career, one hope quietly anchors them all: that they grow into good people

We want our children to be kind. To care deeply. To listen before judging. To honour another person’s pain even when it’s different from their own. These may not feature in a syllabus, but they are the life skills that determine how meaningfully our children will connect with the world.

And yet, in today’s climate, where misinformation is rampant and social media often rewards outrage over understanding, empathy can feel harder to teach, and even harder to model. But empathy, now more than ever, is essential. Fortunately, it can be nurtured through consistency, awareness, and the shared efforts of both parents and educators.

Empathy: More Than a Feeling

The word empathy has its roots in the Greek word empatheia, meaning “in feeling.” It’s not just about being kind, it’s about understanding. Psychologists often speak of two key forms:

● Emotional empathy: the ability to feel what another person feels

● Cognitive empathy: the capacity to grasp what someone else might be thinking or feeling from their point of view.

When children develop both, they don’t just react with compassion; they learn to respond with thoughtfulness and maturity. In a world flooded with emotionally charged content, this balance is more than noble — it’s necessary.

The Misinformation Maze

Children today are absorbing information at an unprecedented pace, through news clips, social media feeds, gaming platforms, and casual conversations. A large portion of this content provokes strong emotions but offers little nuance. In this landscape, what spreads fastest is rarely what’s most accurate — it’s what’s most inflammatory.

It’s no surprise, then, that researchers have long been sounding the alarm. A widely cited study found that empathy levels among teenagers had declined by 40 per cent over three decades, with nearly 75 per cent of college-age students reporting they were less likely to imagine another person’s perspective or show concern for those less fortunate. Similarly, Harvard’s Making Caring Common report, based on a survey of over 10,000 teens, revealed that 80 per cent prioritised high achievement or personal happiness, while only 20 per cent placed caring for others at the top. Most teens also felt that their parents were more focused on success than kindness. While these studies date back some years, their relevance has only deepened in the current digital age, where screen time has increased and virtual interactions often take precedence over real-world connections.

These aren’t just statistics — they’re signposts. They reflect a culture in which empathy is quietly sidelined, not out of neglect, but under the mounting pressures of modern life, which is precisely why the influence of both home and school has never been more critical.

Small Acts, Lasting Lessons: What Adults Can Do

Empathy doesn’t flourish through instruction alone; it takes root through repeated, lived experience. Here are some of the ways parents and educators can help children develop this essential skill:

Model empathy in everyday life

 Children mirror what they see. When adults speak respectfully, listen without interrupting, or engage with people who think differently, children learn that these behaviours matter. Choosing explanation over dismissal, or patience over frustration, quietly affirms the value of empathy — without ever needing a lecture.

Talk about what they’re seeing online

Rather than shielding children from every troubling post or opinion, engage with it together. Ask: “What do you think this means?” or “Why might someone feel that way?” These conversations teach children to pause, reflect, and process information with care, not just react to it.

Use stories to build perspective

Narratives — whether found in books, films, or daily conversations — can be powerful tools for developing empathy. When children encounter stories about experiences vastly different from their own, like a refugee’s journey or a child navigating life with a disability, they begin to broaden their emotional understanding. Over time, these encounters nurture deeper compassion and the ability to relate to others with greater sensitivity.

Create space for discomfort

 It’s tempting to rush in and resolve every conflict, but sometimes, the most profound learning comes from sitting with ambiguity. When children grapple with questions that don’t have easy answers, they develop emotional resilience and the capacity to hold multiple perspectives — a hallmark of mature empathy.

Praise thinking, not just answers

Instead of asking “What’s the right answer?”, try “What made you think that?” This can be a small shift, but a powerful one. It tells children that their thought process, especially when it considers others’ feelings and viewpoints, is as valuable as getting it ‘right.’

Empathy Is a Shared Responsibility

Empathy isn’t a ‘nice-to-have’, it’s a vital life skill. It allows children to collaborate meaningfully, navigate disagreement with dignity, and grow into adults who value understanding as much as achievement.

In this endeavour, parents and educators stand side by side. Every conversation, every shared story, every moment of active listening becomes a brick in the foundation of who a child becomes.

Because in an age where truth is often contested and digital noise can drown out human connection, empathy may be the most powerful — and lasting — education we can give

 It Takes Two To Teach

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When parents and teachers listen, learn, and lead together, children thrive.

In this article, you’ll discover:
• The lost connection: Reconnecting with Gurukul roots
• Why parent involvement in education matters
• Lessons from India: Ground-level success stories
• Global viewpoint: What the world is doing
• Ways to build a strong school and parent partnership
• Pitfalls that parents should watch out for
• Interactive moments: Quick reflections for parents

These are not just passing thoughts. They are the quiet emotions that live between home and school – the gap where a child’s struggles often go unseen. So, when schools and homes function in isolation, children slip through the silence. A stronger school and parent partnership creates student support systems that listen before judging and help children grow.

The lost connection: Reconnecting with Gurukul roots

In ancient Gurukul systems, education wasn’t confined to the classroom. A guru was a lifelong anchor who nurtured wisdom and shaped character. Parents, peers, and elders contributed to the child’s learning journey. That was a genuine parent-teacher relationship: holistic, constant, and collective. Today’s education system needs to rediscover that synergy.

As digital learning and exam ranks take centre stage, rebuilding that living network, where parents, teachers, and communities work together, is essential for maximising educational support for children.

Why parent involvement in education matters

Studies across the globe consistently show that children perform better when their parents are involved in their learning process.

In 400 villages in Sitapur, Uttar Pradesh, PAHAL activities included opportunities for parents to get involved with their children’s homework, which saw dramatic improvements in literacy levels.
The 2008 Family Involvement and Children’s Literacy study by Harvard Graduate School of Education explains that when individual parents became increasingly involved in their children’s education from kindergarten to fifth grade, children’s literacy performance increased as well, on average.

These numbers represent something deeper: students who feel supported at home and understood in school experience the kind of confidence that textbooks alone cannot build.

Lessons from India: Ground-level success stories

Each of these showcases innovative parent-teacher collaboration that’s rooted in real life.

  • NIPUN Maharashtra Mission

Under the NIPUN Maharashtra Mission, lakhs of mothers stepped into the role of educators as part of the state’s Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) initiative. Many of these women, who had little formal education, hosted learning circles in their homes. This grassroots movement redefined the parent-teacher relationship, placing families at the heart of the learning process.

  • Parenting Month in Jharkhand

Aligned with UNICEF guidelines, government schools in Ranchi organised ‘Parenting Month’, a month-long series of activities honouring the role of parents in child development. The Jharkhand Education Project Council (JEPC) instructed schools to implement a dedicated parenting activity calendar, which the Block Resource Person (BRP) and the Cluster Resource Person (CRP) monitor daily.

  • Chandigarh’s Mission 100

In May, the UT education department launched Mission 100, where several government schools in Chandigarh organised special parent-teacher meetings to encourage collaboration between teachers and parents in developing plans for extra classes and guidance to help students clear their supplementary exams.

Global viewpoint: What the world is doing

While India leads in community-based learning methods, some global experiences also focus on parent involvement in education.

The 2013 Getting Parents Involved: A Field Experiment in Deprived Schools article by The Review of Economic Studies mentions that parents of middle-school children in France were invited to participate in a simple program of parent-school meetings on how to get better involved in their children’s education.
A study conducted in 2019 found that in rural China, around 6,000 students and 600 teachers found that schools with more active communication between home and school saw significant drops in learning-related anxiety and improvements in achievements.
A Collaborative Approach to Enhance Quality Education in Foundation Phase Inclusive Classes in South Africa 2024, an article by ResearchGate, claims that several South African schools, guided by the Ubuntu principle, have implemented inclusive teaching through collaborative partnerships between schools, stakeholders, and parents, where each of their roles is clearly defined.

Ways to build a strong school and parent partnership

  1. Weekly WhatsApp check-ins
    • How it works: Teachers share brief voice notes summarising the week and inviting parent feedback
    • Why it matters: It is real-time, regular, and personal and builds parents’ confidence in supporting learning at home
  1. Solution-focused PTMs
    • How it works: Instead of discussing only marks, focus on topics such as “Supporting exam stress” or “Exploring better reading habits at home”
    • Why it matters: These sessions shift the conversation from evaluation to co-creation, using reports as touchpoints, not endpoints
  1. Parent orientation on foundational learning
    • How it works: Host orientation sessions for parents of Grade I-III students about how children learn – phonics, number sense, and curiosity
    • Why it matters: Empowering parents with basic tools and strategies creates a stronger learning environment at home, especially during early childhood when habits and mindsets are formed
  1. Co-host learning days
    • How it works: Invite parents to co-design and participate in ‘Family Learning Days’ with storytelling corners, group math games, or science demos
    • Why it matters: When parents actively participate in learning activities, it strengthens mutual respect and reinforces that education is a shared responsibility, not limited to school hours
  1. Community-led curriculum labs
    • How it works: Parents as volunteers can co-lead book reading sessions, gardening clubs, or science project groups, aligning with the school curriculum
    • Why it matters: When learning spills into community settings, it deepens learning through real-world applications and creates shared curiosity across households

These actions shape a stronger student support system across school and home.

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Sakshi and her science project

A quiet 9-year-old Sakshi came home one evening with a science project assignment. Wanting her to do well, her mom jumped in – researching, designing, and building the model. At school, the project drew praise, but Sakshi stood silently beside it, unsure of how to explain something she hadn’t made.

Her teacher noticed this, and during the next PTM, she gently asked, “How much of this did Sakshi build on her own?”

That night, Sakshi finally confessed, “I wanted to try… but it felt like you already knew the right way.”

That is when her mother realised that she had meant to support, not overshadow. So the next time, she asked, “What’s your idea? How do you want to do this?”

The project that Sakshi built wasn’t perfect and had its own flaws. But Sakshi was proud of what she had created. And this time, the applause felt earned.

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Interactive moments: Quick reflections for parents

Take a moment and answer these questions:

  • Have you spoken to your child’s teacher beyond exams?
  • Do you know this topic is being taught in school this week?
  • Have you asked your little one what they are finding difficult to learn?
  • What is the one thing you can do this week to support your child’s learning?

These aren’t big demands, yet they make a big difference. When your child witnesses that you are making an effort with their teacher, they learn to trust more deeply.

Education doesn’t end with homework sheets or exam marks. Its impact travels home through discussions around the dinner table, weekend reading, or bedtime stories. Parent-teacher collaboration is that bridge, turning classrooms and homes into synchronised spaces of understanding, resilience, and care.

It is time we revive the spirit of the ancient Gurukul, where learning thrived in community, values, and deep relationships. Children feel seen, heard, and empowered when the school and parent partnership is an ongoing and sincere effort. Because the strongest classrooms are built by trust, teamwork, and the quiet power of connection.



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