Effective leaders, much like skilled teachers, adapt and utilize a variety of skills and approaches based on the situation at hand. Throughout a typical school day, leaders must transition between roles—authority figure, teammate, coach, or even therapist—responding to each unique demand. The ability to shift and modify leadership styles as needed is crucial to their success. Yash Saxena, Principal of The Rajkumar College, Rajkot, embodies these qualities, steering one of India’s oldest and most prestigious institutions while preparing both girls and boys to face the challenges of the twenty-first century.
From the Scratch
A son of an IPS officer, Yash Saxena was brought up in a diverse socio-cultural setting across India, which instilled in him a natural cross-cultural sensitivity. Growing up with a love for nature and the outdoors, he was educated in various convent schools, ultimately graduating from St. Anselm’s School, Ajmer.
He earned both his undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in Geography from Govt College Ajmer, where he was a gold medalist and an outstanding sportsman. A skilled swimmer and cricketer, he represented his university in All India tournaments. His academic excellence, combined with his passion for sports and adventure, naturally led him to a successful career in boarding school education.
Journey towards The Rajkumar College, Rajkot
Yash Saxena has an extensive career spanning over 23 years at Mayo College, Ajmer, where he held numerous key positions, including Coordinator of the Geography Department, Housemaster of the largest boarding house (Oman House), Staff Secretary, and Round Square (RS) Representative. Under his guidance, students achieved high academic standards, with Yash receiving two personal commendation letters from HRD Minister Smriti Irani for producing the best Class XII results in the CBSE West region. His efforts led to Mayo College students contributing an impressive 17,000 man-hours of community service per year for three consecutive years.
Yash later served as Deputy Headmaster of The Lawrence School, Sanawar, where he led the Dodransbicentennial celebrations and implemented key recommendations of NEP 2020, particularly experiential learning. He also acted as Bursar for seven months.
Yash’s leadership, cheerful disposition, and social skills have earned him widespread respect in the public-school world. He now heads The Rajkumar College, Rajkot, a prestigious 154-year-old institution, leading it with diligence and commitment.
Leading with Vision
As the current Principal of The Rajkumar College, Rajkot, Yash Saxena is deeply committed to restoring the institution’s historical prestige and making it a place of excellence in both academics and sports. His vision is to position the school as a globally recognized institution, producing future leaders who are not only known for their professional achievements but also for their strong moral and ethical values.
He aims to create a campus environment built on trust, collaboration, and mutual success, where faculty and students work together to foster excellence, humility, and strength of character. Under his leadership, Rajkumar College aspires to produce role models of all ages, grounded in these core values.
Yash acknowledges that real change requires the collective effort and wisdom of all stakeholders, both past and present. His primary focus is to create the conditions necessary to fulfill the school’s mission and propel it to even greater heights.
In the Days to Come
A key initiative under Yash Saxena’s leadership at The Rajkumar College, Rajkot, is the formalization of an experiential learning curriculum, ensuring that students’ educational experiences are memorable and impactful. Yash’s vision is to create an environment where children are eager to attend school each day, enjoying a holistic and sustainable education. Together with his team, he strives to make learning an enriching journey for every student.
Philanthropy in Action
Beyond his professional life, Yash Saxena has led several philanthropic endeavors, among which his dedicated service in providing education relief to Tsunami victims in the Andaman & Nicobar Islands under challenging conditions, led him towards winning a Gold Medal in 2005 by Shri Praffull Patel, then Civil Aviation Minister.
On a Personal Note
An avid sports and adventure enthusiast, Yash Saxena is passionate about cricket, swimming, high-altitude trekking, and SCUBA diving. His extensive travel experience, with visits to over 30 countries, reflects his love for exploration. For Yash, unwinding means immersing himself in travel, nature, and adventure.
