Genius IB World School is an authorized IBPYP school with over 8 years of experience and is a new MYP candidate school that applies the IB philosophy and approach to teaching and learning. The school offers the IB Primary Years Program (PYP) and Middle Years Program (MYP).

Genius follows a unique educational approach that focuses on the holistic development of the child, with an emphasis on skills, attributes, and social and emotional well-being.

Nehru Joshi is the IB Primary Year Program Coordinator at Genius IB World School. Under her dynamic leadership in education, the school aims to equip students with the tools and resources needed to succeed in a constantly changing world and to become responsible global citizens. Ms. Joshi spoke to College Readers about progressive education. Excerpts from the interview:

How can we distinguish progressive education from traditional one?

Progressive education is a student-centered approach that focuses on making students lifelong learners. Unlike traditional education, which stresses memorization and teacher-led instruction, progressive education aims to understand the abilities of individual students and nurture them.

One key feature of progressive education is its emphasis on project-based learning. Students are encouraged to explore topics that interest them and participate in hands-on, experiential learning activities. This helps students develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, as well as enhancing their creativity and innovation.

Another important aspect of progressive education is its focus on collaboration and community. Students are urged to work together and support each other while learning. This fosters a sense of community and social responsibility, teaching important social and emotional skills such as empathy and communication. In essence, progressive education emphasizes the holistic development of students, addressing their academic, social, emotional, and physical needs, and aiming to provide a well-rounded education that prepares them for success in all aspects of life. By concentrating on these key elements, progressive education aims to offer a more engaging, relevant, and meaningful learning experience for students.

Education should integrate knowledge with skills, values, and technology, and should apply to real-life situations. How much have you incorporated these qualities into your institution?

At our institution, we believe that education should not only focus on imparting knowledge but also on developing skills, attitudes, and technological expertise that apply to real-life contexts. For these reasons, we have incorporated a variety of attributes into our teaching-learning approach to ensure that our students can navigate the challenges of the modern world. We work on making attributes a part of our students’ personalities rather than focusing merely on information transmission.

One of the key aspects of our approach is inquiry-based learning, designed to foster curiosity and interest among students. We encourage active participation and provide opportunities to develop social, research, thinking, communication, and self-management skills. By incorporating these skills into our curriculum, we aim to equip students with the tools they need to succeed both in and out of the classroom.

In addition to these foundational skills, we also believe in the importance of vocational training. That's why we have implemented Workshop-Based Learning, providing hands-on experiences in practical fields such as gardening, cooking, carpentry, photography, interior designing, entrepreneurship, and waste management. These workshops are integrated into the mainstream curriculum, allowing students to learn in an engaging and relevant way, helping them build leadership and entrepreneurship skills.

We are committed to developing international-minded individuals who can think beyond their local contexts. We work to instill important attitudes and values such as empathy, courage, open-mindedness, reflection, principles, and balance in our students. We believe that these attributes are essential for students to become global citizens who can contribute positively to society and make a difference in the world.

We understand the importance of technology in modern education, so we have implemented a range of technological tools and resources to support students' learning. Our classrooms are fully digitalized, and we offer access to an e-library and research space for collaborative and individual learning. By providing access to these resources, we are helping to prepare students for the digital world they will encounter in their future careers.

We also believe that technology should not be the sole focus of education. Instead, we use technology as a tool to enhance inquiry-based learning. By using technology to bring learning into action, we help students understand the purpose of their learning and connect with it in a meaningful way. This approach allows students to develop a deeper understanding of the world around them and become active participants in their education.

Our approach to education incorporates knowledge, skill, attitude, and technology to prepare students for success in the local and international community in a dynamic, engaging, and relevant way. By focusing on inquiry-based learning, vocational training, international-mindedness, and technological innovation, we aim to provide students with the tools and resources they need to thrive in an ever-changing world.

What message would you like to convey to the parents and the students?

A comprehensive education that focuses on experiential learning and interaction with nature can greatly influence an individual's personal development and continuous learning. It is crucial to nurture critical thinking abilities and promote a culture of inquiry and exploration, enabling us to remain active and engaged learners throughout our lives. Actively seeking learning experiences and utilizing our environment to enhance our comprehension of the world is essential. It is imperative to understand that learning is an ongoing journey, and by embracing curiosity towards our surroundings, we can effectively adapt and thrive in life.

For parents aspiring to provide their children with a well-rounded education, it is vital to foster exploration and curiosity from an early age. Encouraging children to inquire and discover, even if it means stepping beyond their comfort zones, is key. Seeking out opportunities for experiential learning like field trips, hands-on activities, and community engagement is beneficial. Encouraging children to engage with nature through activities like gardening, hiking, or spending time outdoors is important. Offering chances for children to develop practical skills such as cooking, sewing, or woodworking is valuable. Above all, instilling a passion for learning and nurturing their innate curiosity will prepare children for a lifetime of growth and achievement.