VIBGYOR Group of Schools, Author at VIBGYOR Reading Corner

It Takes Two To Teach

Posted on August 18, 2025September 12, 2025 by VIBGYOR Group of Schools

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

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

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

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

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

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.

Diverse by Birth. United by Heart.

Posted on August 11, 2025August 11, 2025 by VIBGYOR Group of Schools

From languages to landscapes, celebrating every difference brings us closer as a nation.

In this article, you’ll find:
•India, in numbers: A living mosaic
•Freedom to be different, freedom in being recognised
•From state to state, a shared story
•India abroad: A display of heritage and unity
•Classrooms that celebrate cultural diversity
•Independence Day: Simple ideas with significant impact
•For schools: What you can do
•For parents: What you can do
•Why do these initiatives matter?

India speaks in many tongues, dresses in various styles, and prays in different ways – but it beats with one heart. From the snowy peaks of Kashmir to the southern shores of Kanyakumari, every festival and dialect reflects the cultural diversity of India. And as we prepare to celebrate Independence Day 2025, we honour the freedom of Indian culture and traditions, as well as the harmony we continue to build every single day.

India, in numbers: A living mosaic

India is one of the most culturally rich and diverse nations in the world. The strength of Indian culture lies in facts as much as in feelings:

Over 2,000 ethnic groups, including 645 tribal communities

123 major languages and 1,599 dialects

22 official languages

300+ classical and folk dance forms, including Bharatnatyam, Bihu, Garba, Kalbelia, and more

8 major religions, all practised freely

Thousands of festivals, each rooted in distinct regional beliefs

These numbers are what make unity in diversity in India a lived reality.

Freedom to be different, freedom in being recognised

We often remember India’s independence as the fight against colonial rule. But real freedom is more about our right to express, be different, and feel accepted. Consider these inspiring stories:

Ruma Devi: A self-taught artisan from Rajasthan, Ruma Devi has trained 22,000 artisans from 75 villages across the Thar region in Rajasthan through traditional embroidery, preserving heritage and generating income.

T.M. Krishna: Carnatic vocalist T.M. Krishna brought Carnatic classical music to the Dalits and the slums. He challenges caste norms through music while protecting its soul.

Siddalingaiah: Siddalingaiah, often hailed as the father of Kannada Dalit literature, co-founded the Dalit Sangharsha Samiti and was posthumously awarded the Padma Shri in 2021 for amplifying the voices of the marginalised community through poetry and activism.

These are some noteworthy stories that reflect the strength of Indian culture, where diversity is not only embraced but also celebrated and given a voice.

From state to state, a shared story

India’s diversity is vividly geographical; once you travel across the country, every state reveals a world of its own. In Nagaland, the Hornbill Festival brings together 17 major tribes to celebrate heritage through dances, games, and folklore. While Onam in Kerala is a grand homecoming, bringing Hindus, Christians, and Muslims together for feasts, boat races, and intricate floral rangoli, Lohri in Punjab warms winter nights with bonfires and folk songs. In Gujarat, Navratri brings vibrancy, as people from all backgrounds come together for garba, music, and festive celebrations.

All the moments showcase how India celebrates Independence Day with cultural diversity, making space for every voice and every tradition.

India abroad: A display of heritage and unity

Indian communities around the world carry their roots with pride. From national days to regional festivals, here are some ways that the diaspora continues to honour traditions that unite them across borders.

New York City, USA: 78^th Independence Day celebrations

Indians across NYC gathered at the Consulate, Times Square, and Lower Manhattan, celebrating with a flag hoisting ceremony, cultural performances, and participation by the diaspora.

Dubai, UAE: Rath Yatra by Odisha Samaj

In a major diaspora gathering, around 500 Odias and other families participated in the 15th annual Rath Yatra, showcasing Odisha’s temple culture abroad.

Sydney, Australia: Durga Puja at the Ponds Community Hub

The Bengali community in Sydney, Australia, organised traditional Durga Puja immersions, taking our rituals, music, and culture overseas. These global celebrations offer a cultural nostalgia and serve as reminders of Indian heritage and unity, echoing the spirit of unity in diversity across continents.

Classrooms that celebrate cultural diversity

In a country as diverse as India, classrooms are a rich mix of languages, traditions, and identities. Recognising this, educational policies are increasingly embracing cultural diversity as a strength.

The 52^nd report of the Commissioner for Linguistic Minorities highlights state efforts to encourage interaction among students from diverse linguistic communities, thereby further supporting the narrative of classroom diversity.

Even the 2023 Global Education Monitoring Report by UNESCO reinforces the value of inclusive, multilingual education. It also highlights India’s model as a promising, evidence-based approach to advancing SDG4 through cultural responsiveness and equity.

Independence Day: Simple ideas with significant impact

For parents and educators, here are some meaningful Indian Independence Day celebration ideas that highlight the strength of Indian culture:

For schools: What you can do

Flavours of India – A regional food flair: Turn the classroom into a mini food festival. Feature dishes such as Puran Poli, Makkai di Roti, and Sarson da Saag, each labelled with the state of origin. It is a delicious way to explore the diversity of Indian states.

“My Language, My Pride” speech: Let each student greet the school with a “Happy Independence Day” in their mother tongue, followed by a short poem, rhyme, or greeting.

Touch, see, learn – Cultural corners: Set up small learning stations for Rangoli, folk instruments, and other activities. Let students interact, learn, and appreciate the strength of Indian culture through hands-on experiences.

Storytelling circles: Invite grandparents to share short folktales, rhymes, or personal stories in regional languages. It bridges generations and adds personal meaning to celebrating Independence Day in India.

Performances that unite: Host an assembly featuring folk dances and music from across the country, such as Bihu, Bhangra, Lavani, or Manipuri dance, showcasing the artistic pulse of festivals of India and diversity.

Why do these initiatives matter?

These simple yet thoughtful efforts are far more than celebration ideas. They are acts of connection and preservation. This is why they count:

Empathy grows through experience

When children learn a new language, perform a folk dance, or hear a story in another dialect, they begin to see the world through someone else’s eyes.

Inclusion begins with visibility

Cultural diversity activities ensure that students from smaller or lesser-known communities feel seen, valued, and proud of their identity.

Protecting heritage starts early

India is losing hundreds of its languages. Of the 780 living languages, many are at risk of vanishing. Supporting multilingual learning helps protect this living heritage.

Fostering respect, not stereotypes

Hands-on exposure to diverse cultures reduces prejudice, encourages open dialogue, and fosters a sense of familiarity, replacing fear with understanding.

Unity strengthens resilience

During Cyclone Fani, multilingual communication played a crucial role in evacuating over a million people safely in Odisha, demonstrating that inclusive messaging can save lives.

Independence is meaningful when it includes every voice, honours every identity, and protects every tradition. As we mark Independence Day 2025, India, the true celebration lies in how we recognise and respect the differences that define us. Across homes, schools, and communities, embracing the cultural diversity in India isn’t a gesture – it is a responsibility. When we speak in many languages yet act with shared purpose, we strengthen the soul of this nation. So, this Independence Day, let’s carry that force into the future – through the way we live, the way we listen, and the way we stand beside one another.

From Equations to Expressions

Posted on August 6, 2025August 6, 2025 by VIBGYOR Group of Schools

Not all equations are written; some of them are drawn, painted, carved, and felt.

In this article, you’ll read about:
• Math and art: A universal language
• Hidden geometry in Indian architecture
• Kolam patterns and the Fibonacci connection
• Mandala: The circle of logic
• Folk art: Geometry in disguise
• Why it matters: A perspective shift for educators
• The power of applying geometry in art education
• Artful ways to teach math
• The future is digital and beautiful

In a small school in Bhopal, a 14-year-old Shreyas was a backbencher. He quietly sketched patterns in the margins of his math book, anything to avoid the numbers that made him feel small.

But everything changed the day Dubey Sir introduced him to tessellations, first through M.C. Escher. Together, they explored rangoli designs, intricate tile patterns, and more. Shreyas started redrawing equations as designs.

His diagrams turned into mandalas, and the compass became his favourite tool. Today, he tops his class in geometry. The math book he once dreaded now holds spirals, repeating forms, and newfound confidence.

“Math stopped being scary,” he says, “when it started looking like art”.

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“Mathematics is the music of reason” – James Joseph Sylvester

Like music, Mathematics flows – structured yet expressive, precise yet poetic. Mathematics in art reveals itself through balance, rhythm, and proportions. Every recurring motif or spiral line is geometry in motion and an example of visual math concepts.

Using geometry in art education, teachers don’t just implement formulas or teach shapes. They offer students a new way to view the world.

Math and art: A universal language

At the National Museum of Mathematics (MoMath), symmetry is everywhere. From the layout of letters to patterns in body movement, visitors can explore different symmetry principles. This highlights that exploring symmetry through art opens up fresh, new ways to grasp patterns, movement, and meaning.

In Kerala, Kathakali makeup uses perfect bilateral symmetry, while Bharatanatyam dance in Tamil Nadu teaches more about angles and alignment with mudras. This is how math and art integration becomes a language.

Hidden geometry in Indian architecture

Sun Temple, Konark

Consider the Kailasa Temple in Ellora, Maharashtra. Carved from a single rock, the temple’s layout follows axial symmetry and proportions rooted in Vastu Shastra. If you look closely, the design of the Sun Temple in Konark aligns with astronomical events, including cosmic symbolism through precise stone placement.The 2023 Fractal Geometry and Its Application in Maharashtra’s Hindu Temple Architecture study by the International Journal of Civil Engineering and Architecture Engineering states that, symbolically, fractal-like patterns in Hindu temples represent spiritual transcendence, divine order, and cosmic cycles.

Quiz Corner:
The Sun Temple in Konark features 24 chariot wheels. What do they represent?
• 24 mathematical theorems
• 24 lunar cycles
• 24 hours of a day ✅
• 24 seasons in Indian mythology

Kolam patterns and the Fibonacci connection

We often associate the Fibonacci sequence in art with Da Vinci’s ‘Vitruvian Man”. However, identical spiral sequences appear in the Kolam designs made by women in South India. These symmetrical patterns, passed down through generations, echo complex math.

In the 2007 paper Fundamental Study on Design System of Kolam Pattern, two

researchers from Japan, Kiwamu Yanagisawa and Shojiro Nagata, studied kolam

designs and found that they could be turned into computer codes using patterns of 1s and 0s, just like in programming. This showed that kolams follow clear rules and repeatable steps, like algorithms in computer graphics or coding.

Mandala: The circle of logic

A mandala is a geometric art in its purest form. Designed from concrete shapes and symmetry, it is a tool for meditation and mathematics alike. Drawing mandalas can teach visual math concepts such as rotation, radius, and proportion.

Quiz Corner: Which of these materials can be used to make a mandala?
• Only pencil and paper
• Just paint and canvas
• Anything from flowers, sand, stones to colours ✅
• Only digital tools

Folk art: Geometry in disguise

Art forms	Math concepts	How it helps
Warli (Maharashtra)	Triangles, proportions	Strengthens understanding of shapes, sizes, and proportions.
Madhubani (Bihar)	Border patterns, tessellations	Helps understand repetitions, sequencing, and symmetry.
Mandana (Rajasthan)	Axial symmetry, repetition	Reinforces symmetry through hands-on visual exploration.
Kalamkari (Andhra Pradesh)	Geometry in storytelling layout	Allows students to understand spatial layout, scaling, and visual narrative.

These are examples of math and art integration, linking culture with curriculum. When students draw Warli huts or Madhubani borders, they introduce a new form of storytelling.

Quiz Corner: What do Warli huts and butterfly wings have in common?
• All are based on the golden ratio
• All use symmetry and repetition ✅
• All avoid circles
• All of the above

Why it matters: A perspective shift for educators

For teachers, using geometry in art education is less of a method and more of a shift in perspective. It is not just about reducing math to play. It is about making learning meaningful by grasping structure, proportion, and spatial logic.

This is precisely what the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 promotes: a multidisciplinary, experiential learning approach that connects classroom content with real-world expression. The policy insists that education must be experiential, holistic, integrated, inquiry-driven, discovery-oriented, learner-centred, discussion-based, flexible, and enjoyable.

The power of applying geometry in art education

Making math click: When students draw, fold, or build, they see logic. This way, concepts aren’t memorised; they are lived and experienced by them.

Bringing joy to learning: By implementing spirals, patterns, and murals, students can turn math into play. Even the quietest students can get excited when it is a hands-on experience.

Reducing math anxiety: By integrating art into mathematics, students don’t fear the subject. They start to find it friendly rather than frightening.

Fostering teamwork: Group projects are designed to accommodate all kinds of learners. Whether visual, kinesthetic, or analytical, they all get an opportunity to shine together.

Connecting curriculum to culture: From Warli and Kolam to Mandala and Kalamkari, students see that math isn’t just for the books. It is embedded in their heritage, making it relatable and meaningful.

Artful ways to teach math

Start small
Activity: Ask students to look around and list any symmetrical objects they can spot.

Example: Floor tiles often show mirror or rotational symmetry; the classroom clock may have radial symmetry with numbers spaced evenly around.

Use traditional art for deeper learning
Activity: Let students create a Madhubani border by repeating shapes.

Example: Ask them to draw six flower or fish motifs in a row, showing how a shape can repeat to form a tessellation.

Encourage math walks
Activity: Students photograph patterns during their walk to school and around the house.

Example: The spiral in a sunflower, the design on a tile floor, or the star-shaped pattern on a sliced ladyfinger are perfect examples of visual math concepts.

Curate a math-art gallery
Activity: Ask students to make a piece of art that includes math, and then explain the math behind it.

Example: A student can draw a house using triangles, rectangles and circles, then label the shapes and count the angles, showcasing how mathematics in art works in real life.

The future is digital and beautiful

The next wave of math and art integration can be experienced on screens, tablets, and interactive whiteboards. With design tools like Adobe Illustrator and Procreate, students can construct intricate geometric art while grasping core mathematical ideas like angles, ratios, and transformations. Apps like GeoGebra bring math to life, letting learners experiment with visual math concepts. Meanwhile, coding platforms like Scratch turn equations into animations. Students can use loops, variables, and logic to generate spirals, tiling effects, and recursive designs. Here, exploring symmetry through art becomes a gamified experience.

Mathematics and art aren’t opposites; they are reflections of each other. One speaks in numbers, and the other in nuances. Yet, both traditions are built on shared ideas – balance, symmetry, rhythm, and structure. A theorem and mural may start differently, but they both seek harmony, making math and art integration possible. We believe that while art gives math its emotion, math gives art its foundation.

By utilising geometry in art education, they bring order to chaos. When students combine logic with the lyrical, they are not just learning; they are understanding. And in that space, math is no longer feared. It becomes familiar, meaningful, and deeply human.

Smartboards to Smart Classrooms: Rewiring How We Learn

Posted on July 28, 2025July 28, 2025 by VIBGYOR Group of Schools

Personalised, interactive, and transformative – welcome to the new world of education.

In this blog article, you’ll find:
• A new era in learning: Why smart classrooms lead the way
• Real-world impact: Tech that is changing classrooms everywhere
• Say hello to the famous five tech superheroes
• Behind the screens: The gaps we can’t ignoreThe next class: 6 EdTech ideas that can redefine classroom learning

S = Seamless

M = Measurable

A = Adaptive

R = Responsive

T = Tech-enabled

More than an acronym, this is the blueprint of a modern classroom. The evolution from smartboards to smart classrooms isn’t just about integrating new tools. It is a fundamental rethinking of how educators can teach purposefully and students learn passionately. It is also about creating smart classroom setups for modern schools that are inclusive and interactive.

A new era in learning: Why smart classrooms lead the way

We are witnessing a revolution in education through EdTech. Smart classrooms lie at the core of this evolution – vibrant learning environments that leverage interactive learning tools to deepen comprehension, personalise learning experiences, and engage students fully.

For example, in South Korea, AI-powered textbooks are used to continuously adjust lesson plans in real-time, helping students grasp concepts more effectively and stay motivated.

A meta-analysis of 21 studies in China mentioned in the 2024 Effects of Smart Classroom on Students’ Learning Outcomes article by ResearchGate revealed that smart classrooms significantly impact learning outcomes in place of traditional settings.

Real-world impact: Tech that is changing classrooms everywhere

From rural villages to world-renowned institutions, smartboards and digital tools are revolutionising education. Here are a few noteworthy examples of how innovation is introducing a new wave in classrooms globally.

Sampark Smartshala: Empowering rural classrooms in India

Launched to improve learning outcomes for seven million children across 76,000 schools in India. Sampark Smartshala provides rural schools with low-cost audio devices, interactive learning tools, and a friendly teaching mascot – Sampark Didi.

Solve Education!: Gamifying learning for better understanding

A Singapore-based non-profit organisation, Solve Education! developed Dawn of Civilization, which includes 30,000+ teaching materials that are used in daily English vocabulary, grammar, phrasal verbs, and much more.

MIT’s TEAL Program: Giving physics an interactive touch

The Technology-Enhanced Active Learning (TEAL) program opts for interactive sessions that combine simulations, experiments, and problem-solving. The results? Failure rates dropped from 13% to under 5%, and learning gains more than doubled.

One Laptop Per Child (OLPC): Bridging the digital divide

A non-profit initiative, OLPC Australia’s mission was to provide affordable, durable laptops to children in developing countries, which are designed for collaborative learning, with features suitable for remote and resource-limited settings.

Say hello to the…

FAMOUS FIVE TECH SUPERHEROES

Behind the screens: The gaps we can’t ignore

As we reimagine smart classrooms through various interactive learning tools, it is also important to identify and navigate the challenges. Because while innovation opens new doors, it must walk hand in hand with responsibility, inclusion, and foresight.

Digital dependency: Prolonged screen time among children is associated with cognitive and developmental challenges. According to the 2023 The Impact of Screen Time on Child and Adolescent Development article by the International Journal of Contemporary Pediatrics, extended exposure to digital devices can impair attention span, language acquisition, memory retention, and motor skill development.

Teacher training: Technology is only as effective as the teachers who utilise it. Yet, many educators feel either underprepared or unprepared for this digital shift. As per the Technology Integration in Teacher Education 2024 article, challenges such as inadequate experience and training in the use of technology hinder the effective integration of technology in teacher education programmes.

Data privacy: While classrooms go digital, cybersecurity breaches can be alarming. In 2024, PowerSchool, used by over 45 million students globally, suffered a cyberattack exposing sensitive student data. With 96% of edtech apps sharing data with third parties, protecting student privacy is more urgent than ever.

The next class: 6 EdTech ideas that can redefine classroom learning

Smart classrooms aren’t in the future anymore; they are already here. And they are smart, empathetic, data-rich, and global. Let’s look at how a revolution in education through EdTech is taking root in meaningful, human ways.

Introducing co-learning across continents

With platforms such as Flip by Microsoft, students in different countries can collaborate on projects, from digital storytelling to climate awareness zones. This experience builds global perspective and digital collaboration skills.

Why it matters: Students don’t just learn about the world. They learn with it.

Measuring growth, not just grades

Today’s learning analytics tracks much more than marks; they map mood shifts, collaboration habits, attention dips, and more. Tools like Classcraft even gamify growth areas like empathy and teamwork.

Why it matters: Make the most of metrics to monitor, not just rank.

Seating that shapes the way you learn

Utilising RFID sensors and heat maps, schools can decode attention zones – areas where focus drops or conversations peak. Rotating seating based on student learning styles and group dynamics increases interactions and reduces participation gaps.

Why it matters: Strategic placement improves focus as well as boosts collaboration and reduces social barriers.

Personalising learning with adaptive AI

AI-driven platforms have adjusted in real time to every student’s pace, performance, and preferred learning. From quizzes that evolve to video lessons that pause and prompt, adaptive tools ensure that no learner is left behind.

Why it matters: When learning feels personal, every student feels seen and no one falls behind.

Giving shy students a way to express themselves

AI tools can collect and keep a student’s response anonymous, giving hesitant voices or introverts the space to shine without the fear of judgment and creating a safe space for them to express themselves freely.

Why it matters: Not every student raises a hand, but every voice deserves to be heard.

Making privacy a priority, not an afterthought

With incidents like the PowerSchool data breach affecting millions, schools must proactively audit apps, verify privacy policies, and onboard tools that comply with child data regulations.

Why it matters: Making digital hygiene and privacy an essential and core part of a trusted learning environment.

Smart classrooms are no longer just about devices and digital boards. It is a bold shift toward a more compassionate, connected, and inclusive way of learning. As we weave educational technologies like AI, immersive tools, and global collaboration into education, the true measure of progress isn’t in the technology itself, but in how deeply it serves equity, empathy, and purpose. The future of education isn’t just intelligent; it is intentional. It uplifts educators, honours every student’s voice, and turns classrooms into spaces of possibility, without the pressure.

VIBGYOR World Academy is VIBGYOR Group of Schools’ technology-enabled school at Nagpur and Bhopal.

Kindness is Contagious. So is Courage!

Posted on July 21, 2025August 11, 2025 by VIBGYOR Group of Schools

Tackling bullying through empathy, empowerment, and everyday acts of bravery.

In this article, you’ll discover:
• Silence isn’t neutral; it is dangerous
• Why bullying often goes unseen, especially online
• A school’s role: Going beyond academics
• More than lessons: Classroom as the frontline of change
• Real stories, real solutions: What is working in India and globally
• Building a culture, not just a policy
• At home: Noticing what isn’t said
• What can you as a parent do to help?
• What can schools and teachers do?

Meet Ravi.

Ravi loved drawing. He would fill pages with animals, superheroes, and wild, wonderful things. But when he brought his sketchbook to school, a group of boys laughed. “Aww, baby art”, they said. Since then, Ravi stopped bringing his notebook. And slowly, he stopped drawing altogether.

Sometimes, bullying doesn’t leave bruises; it erases confidence.

Such moments reveal the many faces of bullying in school, from ragging horrors to caste-based abuse to cyberattacks and physical threats. Sadly, they often end in tragedy, reinforcing why school bullying prevention must be swift, deeply compassionate, and all-encompassing.

Silence isn’t neutral; it is dangerous

When we say silence, we are talking about the silence of classmates who watch but don’t intervene. The silence of children who fear speaking up because they might be the next target. The hush of teachers who miss the signs or dismiss them as harmless teasing. The silence of parents who sense something is wrong but hesitate to ask.

This silence is dangerous. It allows bullying to take root, spread, and stay hidden. The effects of bullying on students continue to affect a child’s self-worth, academic performance, and, most deeply, mental health.

According to the 2023 Bullying Among Indian School-going Children article, the prevalence of bullying is very high in India, at approximately 50% to 60%, which has a bad impact on the students’ health.

Why bullying often goes unseen, especially online

The truth is that bullying isn’t always loud; it can be subtle. It often masquerades as “just memes” or “a joke”, but the harm it causes can spiral rapidly. And today, it is increasingly taking over the digital world. Cyberbullying in schools has skyrocketed post-pandemic, especially with students now using messaging apps and social media.

Online abuse knows no schedule. It follows a child home, lingers 24/7, and can amplify fast. In fact, a cruel meme or message in a WhatsApp or Instagram group can cause viral humiliation overnight.

In Lucknow, a psychiatric unit reported that persistent online trolling led to depression in 15% of youth mental health cases, with instances of severe weight loss and suicidal thoughts among affected students.

A school’s role: Going beyond academics

Schools are ecosystems that shape a child’s emotional compass. Creating a safe school environment means ensuring every student feels seen, secure, and valued.

In July 2018, Delhi’s Education Department launched the Happiness Curriculum (HC) in 1,030 government schools from kindergarten to Grade 8 to focus on the holistic development of all learners.

The Happiness Curriculum curbs bullying by nurturing empathy, mindfulness, and emotional awareness among students. It encourages respectful peer interactions and open dialogue, helping create a school culture where kindness is practised.

More than lessons: Classroom as the frontline of change

The way a teacher behaves creates the emotional mood of the classroom. When teachers laugh at a cruel joke to overlook the subtle exclusions, they unintentionally participate in bullying in schools. But when they pause and ask, “How do you think it made them feel?” they model empathy in action, one of the most effective ways to prevent bullying at school.

Teachers who intervene gently, notice who’s being left out, and use inclusive language to create classrooms that foster trust, safety, and belonging. Teachers’ role in bullying prevention is less about punishment and more about presence. Those who use inclusive language and respond gently to microaggressions create a safe school environment for students.

Real stories, real solutions: What is working in India and globally

Let’s examine some grassroots approaches where both schools and parents can play a crucial role in school preventing bullying.

SahaaraLine: Social support for teachers:
- A WhatsApp helpline connects educators to experts, offering real‑time support for managing classroom conflicts and bullying incidents.

Anand Sabha (Happiness Assembly):
- Weekly storytelling, mindfulness, and moral-value sessions in government high schools aim to foster empathy and peer support; launched state-wide in 2025.

School of Equality:
- Workshops challenging caste and gender norms empowered students to adopt a “school constitution” guaranteeing protection from bullying.

Finland’s KiVA Program:
- Developed by the University of Turku, the KiVa program systematically tackles bullying by combining classroom lessons, teacher protocols, and peer monitoring.

Japan’s Anti-Bullying Act (2013):
- The Act mandates early detection and prevention of bullying by assisting children in building interpersonal relationships, improving emotional development, promoting moral education, and fostering healthy peer relationships through hands-on learning.

ParentCircle:
- An India-based platform that offers articles, tools, and events for mindful parenting and covers bullying, discipline, digital safety, and emotional bonding.

Vandrevala Foundation:
- A 24/7 mental health helpline offers free emotional support via phone or WhatsApp, which is especially helpful for parents dealing with distressed children.

Prajnya’s Gender Equality Education:
- Chennai-based initiative that helps parents raise gender-sensitive children and navigate peer aggression.

Building a culture, not just a policy

Anti-bullying strategies for schools shouldn’t be confined to notices on bulletin boards or one-off assemblies. Real change lies in embedding values into the school life curriculum. While India lacks any specific nationwide anti-bullying law, CBSE and several state boards have issued circulars mandating a designated anti-bullying committee in every school, regular awareness workshops, and anonymous reporting systems.

According to Chapter 6 of Cyberbullying and Digital Safety: Applying Global Research to Youth in India, since 2017, all CBSE schools have been guided by the “Guide to Safe and Effective Internet Use”, which establishes digital conduct codes, reporting procedures, and peer education for cyberbullying awareness.

At VIBGYOR Group of Schools, we organise multiple impactful workshops on bullying and cyberbullying, creating a safe school environment. These workshops help students and educators recognise red flags, respond empathetically, and cultivate values that make safety a shared responsibility.

See the Facebook post

Check the Instagram post

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At home: Noticing what isn’t said

“Another stomach ache?” Ritu asked her daughter as Meera pushed away her breakfast.

She nodded. “Can I skip school today?”

Lately, Meera has been complaining of stomach aches almost every morning.

“Maybe it is something she ate,” her mother thought, until skipping school became a daily excuse.

She also stopped joining her online classes, claiming the WiFi was acting up. Her appetite had dipped. At night, she tossed and turned. Then came the broken pencil box, the torn sleeve, and the quiet refusal to attend her best friend’s birthday party.

“They called me names…took my stuff”, Meera finally whispered. “I didn’t tell you because I thought you would be mad.”

“I’m not angry”, her mom said, holding her close. “I’m happy that you confided in me.”

Bullying rarely shouts. It hides in silence, subtle changes, and unspoken fears. But parents who are more attentive hear what others miss.

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What can you as a parent do to help?

These efforts are part of a bigger mission of building empathy to reduce school bullying, starting at home.

What can schools and teachers do?

To actively prevent bullying, schools must foster a culture that goes beyond safety; it is where safety is nurtured.

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Every school should routinely ask:

Are students encouraged to report or discouraged by silence?
Do our staff know how to de-escalate early conflicts?
Are we reacting only after harm is done or proactively cultivating safety?

These questions are at the heart of how schools can create a safe space for students – not just in structure but in spirit.

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Bullying in schools affects more than students; it impacts families, educators, and the entire community. Creating a safe school environment means embedding kindness into the culture, where empathy is taught, every voice matters, and respect is lived daily. From classrooms to homes, the path to school bullying prevention begins with awareness, builds through courage, and grows through compassion.

Let’s raise children who are not only smart but strong, thoughtful, and inclusive because the most lasting lessons are learned in how we treat one another.

Please check the recording of VIBGYOR Group of School’s online webinars on Understanding Bullying: Fostering Safer Childhoods sharing valuable insights into recognising and addressing bullying in the early years as well as adolescents.

Link: https://youtu.be/osaaKRcW7fE

Link 2: https://youtu.be/cO38BF7lsPo

Empowering confident learners and compassionate leaders through the power of the performing arts

Posted on July 14, 2025July 14, 2025 by VIBGYOR Group of Schools

Empowering confident learners and compassionate leaders through the power of the performing arts.

In this article, you’ll discover the following:
● A new era of learning
● Art as a valuable lesson
● Rhythm and role-plays
● Classroom to character-building
● Art in every subject, empathy in every child
● Performing arts in education and its impact on the students.

What happens when…

Storytelling becomes the syllabus?

What happens when…

Learning becomes more human-led?

A classroom isn’t defined by silence or uniform benches, but by the boundless imagination of its students. Here, learning goes beyond memorisation—it’s about expression, connection, and discovery.

In a school in Ladakh, a class begins with a roll call in rhythm. Students sing folk songs of their ancestors and retell their stories through plays. Here, they are not only learning history, but also living it.

At times when knowledge is plentiful but understanding is rare, performing arts in education combine creativity and cognition, and imagination fuels understanding.

A new era of learning

Performing arts are redefining the landscape of Indian education as it is led by inspiring figures who blend dance, music, and education,. Bharatanatyam exponent Geeta Chandran integrates classical dance in educational contexts to improve student empathy and expression. Mallika Sarabhai, a renowned Kuchipudi and Bharatanatyam dancer, brings theatre into the classrooms through the Darpana Academy of Performing Arts, whereas Nandita Das advocates for drama-in-education to introduce conversations and critical thinking among young minds.

The 2011 Why Arts Integration Improves Long-Term Retention of Content article by ResearchGate mentions that students who participate in arts tend to outperform their peers on standard measures of academic achievement.

Art as a valuable lesson

Art isn’t just an addition; the importance of arts in learning is deeper and more meaningful. Music, dance, theatre, and visual arts activate multiple areas of the brain.

The 2014 How Musical Training Affects Cognitive Development article by The National Library of Medicine states that students who undergo musical training have better verbal memory, second language pronunciation accuracy, reading ability, and executive functions. But beyond cognitive gains, the arts turn abstract ideas into hands-on experiences, making learning more human, heartfelt, and lasting.

Rhythm and role-plays

Theatre and music are often seen as extracurriculars. However, theatre and music in schools are so much more. Theatre invites students to explore identity, empathy, and social issues through various experiences. Music sharpens focus, rhythm, and emotional intelligence. Oscar-winner A.R. Rahman credits his discipline and creativity to his early training at KM Music Conservatory. Similarly, actor Naseeruddin Shah has long spoken about how theatre in schools fosters critical thinking and self-awareness.

Classroom to character-building

The true test of performing arts in education lies in the kind of people our students become. Creative learning through the arts allows students to build self-esteem and resilience, and skills that are crucial for life, not just for the stage. For instance, artist Shilo Shiv Suleman’s workshops for various schools helps students explore themes of courage, self-worth, and expression. The NGO Proud Indian empowers migrant children and children from Bengaluru’s slums by providing art-based programmes that inspire healing, boost creativity, and offer a sense of hope.

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This is the true power of performing arts in education. It is not about perfection; what matters is presence, passion, and the profound joy of being seen and heard.

Art in every subject, empathy in every child

We believe that art isn’t just a subject. It is a way of seeing, feeling, and interpreting the world. Performing arts for students have numerous benefits. In fact, the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 prioritises holistic development through arts.

The 2024 National Education Policy-2020: Research and Innovations for Transforming Higher Education article by ResearchGate explains that schools must embrace experiential learning, which includes hands-on learning, arts-integrated, sports-integrated, and storytelling-based pedagogy.

In Ladakh, the Students’ Educational and Cultural Movement of Ladakh (SECMOL) works towards reforming the government school system. Students are encouraged to learn ancient Ladakhi songs, dance, and history alongside academic knowledge.

The SHIAMAK Dance Education (SDE) Programme brings structured dance training to schools across India, giving students the chance to learn the fundamentals of movement while exploring diverse styles. Founded by A.R. Rahman in Chennai, KM Music Conservatory offers a wide range of music courses, from short-term certifications to full-fledged Undergraduate Diplomas, with specialised training in Western classical, Hindustani classical, and music technology.

Such programmes are already implemented at leading international schools, ensuring that students receive the highest level of education in both the performing arts and music.

Moreover, at VIBGYOR Group of Schools, too, we include a variety of disciplines such as music, dance, and theatre. Performing arts for students presents our students with a dynamic platform to showcase their talent. Activities such as dance, theatre and music in schools help them become well-rounded individuals through inter-house competitions, annual performances, and VIBGYOR Viva, our inter-school festival.

VIBGYOR High’s Performing Arts Excellence Learn more

Performing arts in education and its impact on the students

When a student steps into the spotlight for the first time, it is not just to impress, but to express. That moment of courage, connection, and creativity is the magic of performing arts in education.

Performing arts in education is an awakening. Through rhythm, role-plays, and raw emotions, students learn to listen, lead, and live with empathy. In a world that often prioritises performance over presence, performing arts bring back the heartbeat of education. They empower students to think boldly, feel deeply, and express freely. And perhaps most importantly, they remind every student that their voice matters, even when it is trembling, even when it is still finding its tune. Because performing arts in education teach the biggest lesson of all: that education is about learning to connect, and in the process, becoming a beautiful human.

Author: VIBGYOR Group of Schools

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