Hyderabad Public School celebrates diversity, prioritises students’ overall well-being: Principal

NEW DELHI: Over a century old and spread over 122 acres, the Hyderabad Public School started as Jagirdar’s College, founded by the seventh Nizam of Hyderabad in 1923. During an interview with Careers360, its principal Skand Bali, spoke about reforms in school and the overall well-being of students. Edited excerpts.

Q. What sets Hyderabad Public School (HPS) apart?

A. The Hyderabad Public School, Begumpet, celebrates diversity, distinguishing itself through a blend of serenity, inclusivity, and positivity, while providing cutting-edge facilities. Our school offers a natural, bio-diverse setting that promotes a deep bond with nature and enhances one’s overall well-being.

Our commitment to inclusivity creates a welcoming atmosphere, ensuring that every child feels accepted, loved, and nurtured. Aligned with ISC, ICSE and Cambridge curricula, our globally-recognised approach equips students for the modern world, supporting our vision of becoming an institution of global excellence. Prioritising listening, we cultivate unconditionally trusting relationships between the students and the staff, encouraging long-lasting bonds.

Our state-of-the-art library and e-library foster intellectual curiosity and academic excellence, providing students with abundant resources to enhance their learning experiences. An Olympic-size swimming pool, shooting range, golf range, and horse riding — our diverse recreational facilities contribute to the ‘whole’ child development.

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Embracing solar power and eco-friendly kitchen practices, we instill environmental responsibility in students. Our school is a rare combination of roots and wings — roots that keep us grounded and rooted in tradition and wings that help our eaglets soar to great heights. This sets us apart.

Q. How does HPS prioritise the overall well-being of its students?

A. We prioritise the well-being of our students through a comprehensive approach. While focusing on an excellent academic routine, we provide dedicated counselling services, both career as well as social and emotional; a curated leadership programme right from Class 1; entrepreneurship and mentorship programmes that encourage engagement with the school’s alumni; exchange programmes and educational tours; space discovery and historical perspective besides a spectrum of extracurricular activities. Our focus on sports, art, dance, music and community service ensures a well-rounded development.

Q. What should be the reform agenda for schools?

A. Schools, in my perspective, should prioritise a dynamic curriculum that integrates essential life skills and emphasises interdisciplinary learning. It is crucial to incorporate social and emotional learning (SEL) programmes addressing students’ emotional well-being, interpersonal skills and resilience, contributing to holistic development.

Preparation for real-world challenges should take precedence over exam-centric approaches. A balanced curriculum fostering creativity, critical thinking, experiential learning and social responsibility is essential for students’ holistic development. Additionally, there is a need to enhance career counseling services and provide opportunities for vocational training.

Q. What should be the focus of educational reforms?

A. Educational reforms should immediately focus on modernising curricula and seamlessly integrating technology into the learning process.

Creative subject combinations that cater to a student’s passion and encourage a new-age skill set is the need of the hour. Continuous professional development for educators, curriculum updates aligned with contemporary needs, and leveraging technology for interactive learning experiences are paramount for advancing the quality of education.

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Q. Technology is significantly influencing teaching and learning. What tools does your school employ?

A. Technology plays a pivotal role in shaping our school’s teaching and learning landscape. We employ interactive smart classrooms and collaborative online platforms. These cutting-edge tools provide dynamic and engaging content, catering to diverse learning styles and fostering a more interactive and participatory learning environment.

Through the balanced integration of technology and innovative teaching methods, we strive to create an educational environment that meets the needs of learners and prepares them effectively for the challenges of the contemporary world. Our goal is to foster a love for learning while equipping students with the skills and knowledge required in an ever-evolving global landscape.

It is with immense pride that I share the addition of a state-of-the-art Innovation Centre, a fantastic feather in the school’s infrastructural cap. This will facilitate experiential learning and early exposure to artificial intelligence and robotics that will contribute to a robust technological landscape in our school.

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Q. What academic programmes and initiatives contribute to the academic success of students at Hyderabad Public School?

A. Our school fosters the academic success of its students through a combination of robust academic programmes and strategic initiatives.

Our curriculum is designed to be challenging, encouraging critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation. The seasoned faculty plays a pivotal role in delivering quality education and guiding students towards academic excellence. The school has tied up with competitive initiatives to enhance the academic prowess of our students, providing them with additional resources and support to excel in their studies.

Our students have performed exceptionally in various competitive exams with admissions in top-ranked colleges in India and abroad.

Our students’ active participation in Round Square and AFS programmes [both international programmes connecting schools] demonstrate their well-rounded personalities and aptitudes not only in academic pursuits, but also extracurricular activities and global citizenship. Our debaters, quizzers and artists left a blazing trail wherever they had been.