Education forms the foundation of society. It is responsible for economic, social, political growth and development in general. The thread of the growth of society depends on the quality of education that is being imparted, and the schools of today are the prime reasons for quality teaching and learning in these difficult times. Not only are today’s schools motivating all-around development, but they are also developing a mind of their own through a curated and flexible curriculum. Thereby, talking about one such premier school that strives on all the aspects needed in a child’s development, yet maintaining an identity of its own – Birla Public School is transforming children into proactive and compassionate citizens of tomorrow. Under the guidance of Dr Maria Montessori, the world acclaimed pioneer in child education, Birla Public School (Vidya Niketan) was founded by the Birla Educational Trust in 1944. The institution remained a day school till 1948, and in 1952, the school was made a purely residential institution. Later in 1953, the school was granted membership of the Indian Public-School Conference.
Flexible Learning Environment
Birla Public School focuses on bringing dull academic concepts to life with implicit and practical learning experiences, helping their students to understand how their schooling applies in the real world. The school also encourages students of mixed abilities to work together, by promoting small group and whole-class activities which motivate self-confidence, as well as, enhancing their communication and critical thinking skills. Along with educational sessions, at Birla Public School, sessions are organized for both teachers and students on issues like Gender sensitivity, Self-Awareness, Values, Bullying, Changes during Adolescence and other such issues. There is a dedicated team of career counsellors to support the students and motivate them towards their desired career paths and achieve their goals. Besides, special educators catering to the needs of students facing difficulties in learning, the school regularly invites speakers from various professional fields, and professional agencies are hired to arrange special tutorials for the students to help them prepare for the PET, PMT, BIT SAT and many other competitive exams.
Furthermore, working relentlessly towards building a bright future for students by providing a balanced education for a rounded personality, students are given access to a wide range of experiences for harnessing multiple talents already present in them. Their well-equipped Birla Science Museum, Echo Park, Maths, Computer, Science and Language labs provide an opportunity for the students to experience education beyond textbooks. Vocational education too is laid equal emphasis through well-organised clay modelling, metal craft, woodcraft, art, music, electronic and computer hardware workshops which are compulsory optional subjects to be taken during their stay in the school.
Apart from academics, the school focuses extensively on sports as an integral part of its curriculum. “As it is evident that sports inculcate vital life lessons like discipline, resilience, time management, teamwork, sportsmanship, trust, and leadership skills, our students at Birla Public School are aimed to prepare for life”, shares Captain Alokesh Sen, the current principal of the school. Taking time out of his busy schedule, the veteran, who is now operating as a go-to leader cum face at Birla Public School, Alokesh Sen took us on a virtual tour of the school and explained to us and our readers, what it takes to be today’s school in pursuit of educational excellence. Through the conversation, we also learnt that the school offers playgrounds/courts for soccer, hockey, basketball, handball, volleyball, squash tennis and cricket besides a boxing ring, artificial
climbing wall, archery range and gymnasium. Moreover, they have an impressive record in IPSC football, swimming, handball, boxing, and skating and yoga competitions, where a significant number of their students are chosen for SGFI and CBSE Nationals. The handball team too has major achievements in international handball competitions to its credit.
Fostering the spirit of service among their students, every year on 31st August the school hosts the All India Vidya Niketan Platinum Jubilee Memorial English Debate with all the leading IPSC Schools, Round Square Schools, Sainik Schools and Military Schools from all over India. Every year the school also organizes MUN, popularly known as Model United Nations in which students from the reputed schools of India participate in it. MUN is aimed at making the students learn about diplomacy, international relations, and the United Nations. MUN involves and teaches research, public speaking, debating, and writing skills, boosting their critical thinking, teamwork, and leadership abilities. “The participants gain insight into the workings of the United Nations and the dynamics of international relations by assuming the roles of delegates and UN representatives”, added Captain Alokesh, telling us how MUN is a great opportunity for students to debate issues that confront world leaders and to draft resolutions in response to these global issues.
Functioning Amidst Pandemic
Though the pandemic brought life to a halt, the spirit of BPS was always high, and as soon as the lockdown was announced they switched to the virtual mode. It was made sure that no stone remains unturned to provide quality education, even when they are away from the school. The whole school was turned into a Wi-Fi campus with a seedy internet connection to ensure 24X7 hassle-free connectivity to turn all spaces into educational spaces. The students of junior and middle sections were already using tablets and the senior section students were also allowed the digital devices for effective studies and preparation for different competitive exams.
Progressing on giving an invaluable contribution to societal upliftment by ensuring students’ overall development, BPS has turned itself into a completely transparent entity, giving out the best results, year after year. Also, ensuring all the stakeholders of the school are in sync, parents are made a part of the SMC and the fee regulation committee. BPS firmly believes that positive communication between parents and teachers goes a long way in improving the efficacy of education. And therefore, they ensure the active participation of parents in the teaching-learning process, always making sure that the campus life at BPS revolves around fun and learning, combining real values of society, culture and education with the gen-z way of adapting towards being ready for change – always.
Captain Alokesh Sen – Principal
With 32 years of excellence in the field of education, Captain Alokesh Sen has been in the Education Administration especially the school administration for the last 25 years. Mr Sen has a Postgraduate degree of M.Phil and M.Sc., in Chemistry with a degree in Education (B.Ed.).
For the last seventeen years, he has been the Principal of prestigious schools like Sainik School, Tamil Nadu, the Hyderabad Public School, Begumpet and currently he is the Principal of Vidya Niketan Birla Public School, Pilani, Rajasthan since December 2010. He is also the President of Shekhawati Sahodaya Schools, Jhunjhunu in Rajasthan for the last 8 years. He was honoured with the prestigious “Vocational Excellence Award of the Rotary International in January 2006. He is deeply involved in helping the CBSE by carrying out duties of Centre Superintendents, Observer for the board exams, CBSE Affiliation Inspection and also as Chief Nodal Supervisor of the centralized evaluation. He received the prestigious CBSE National “Best Teachers’ Award”
in September 2017. He is an avid reader and also contributes articles on educational pedagogy in different national magazines like Mentor, Career Connect, The Week, The School, etc.
