Sunday afternoon got educators from across the country together – North, South, East and West as one voice, #SaveOurSchools. This mind you took only a matter of minutes to form a common group of like minded educators and parents only days ago, and one virtual meeting on Saturday (these days, in the education space anything virtual is considered to be ‘not the same’ as a physical discussion – we accept but what’s the alternative? Wait till we are virus free? Or optimise on the time and variables that are available and make things happen?). Well, we used the power of technology to come together, to align our thoughts, to show support for our peers in Gujarat because we cared about the children studying in private unaided schools in the state that could face school closure forever as managements cannot sustain without collection of fees which is the directive of the government. The GOG believes that parents should not have to honour their contractual commitment to the private schools they picked willingly (and were desirous of; knowing all the policies and fee related information) in event of the pandemic.
To be trended as the Number One hashtag in Gujarat and also in the top 3/4 most trended topics in the country with over a lac tweets sharing perspectives about directives and policies initiated by the local government meant there was a common goal, and something that got educators, irrespective of theIr academic boards, or where their own schools were located in India to tweet in a rational and definitive manner to those making decisions that policies like this will arrest the progress of the nation.
2 to 6pm Tweet Storm – as many of us have admitted, there was a deep sense of satisfaction as our fraternity stood together to support a re-think of directives even if it did not impact them individually. Using examples, and facts, and stating important aspects that have been not been considered when passing blanket bans were tweeted, and #SaveOurSchools, that voice of educators, teachers and parents wanted to speak about building capacities, about skilling teachers, children and parents to embrace remote learning as a means of continuous learning, share the innovative ideas of how teachers have risen to the occasion and delivered. The voice spoke about reports in leading organisations that admit prolonged absence from school will have detrimental effects on the children and virtual learning is not static apps downloaded but real engagements with their teachers who optimise screen time permitted to making learning interactive, engaging and relevant not to mention emotionally securing children who have been in lock down.
For these tiring efforts, the request was to have parents honour their commitment to paying fees so that teacher salaries can be paid and other expenditure accounted for.
There was a desire to ensure Digital India vision is realised – educators are conscious that steps have to be taken now and today, to secure our children with skills so that they can compete with the best in class worldwide with their foundational learning when they take their place in the world tomorrow. As a nation, we seem ti be lagging two years behind.
Yesterday was about solidarity that laws cannot be passed without discussions and involving relevant stake-holders, regulation for schools need to happen in a systematic way, the processes need to have a common objective and also, those willing to put in time, efforts and investments and bring in best in class academic and administrative policies cannot be deterred by these laws that are making it virtually impossible to sustain.
It was about collaboration, critical thinking, planning, and communicating in a scientific and objective way, it was about engaging and using technology to deliver, it was about one community across the nation lending a voice to those who must listen.
Courts will get involved and there will be more petitions we know, but for the time being it was an honour to work alongside and learn from fellow educators, teachers and parents and know that the future of this country, in the hands of these experts is in good hands, and these hands are strong enough to create a storm when required for the sake of the children, teachers and their future.
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Fatema Agarkar, Founder , Agarkar Centre of Excellence (ACE)
Veteran of 3 educational start-ups , now Founder of the Agarkar Centre of Excellence, Fatema’s passion for teaching-learning and children defines the different roles she has crafted in 20 years – as an edupreneur, educator and mentor.
Fatema who is a State and University topper as part of the prestigious Mumbai based Sydenham College of Commerce & Economics, holds a degree of Masters in Business Administration (MBA) from Birmingham (UK), apart from her B.ED and ECCE degrees amassed when she decided education was her calling. Having kick-started her career in the corporate world and working with premier organizations like Commerzbank, Times of India and Egon Zehnder International, she always had an inner urge to bring about an enhancement in the sphere of education..
As an educationist and life-long learner, she has come a long way to intertwine modern methods of learning, teaching and customizing education as per the student’s intellectual requisites thus eradicating stress that stems from the education system. She has been sedulous in making comprehensive alterations in the education field in India. Being a risk-taker, Fatema has been focusing on the generation of innovative educational modules and her in-depth academic know-how, nothing but truly defines her ceaseless passion. Her name is synonymous with successful education models of the country and she is adjudged as Education World’s top 50 Educators in the year 2020. Adding more feathers to her hat, she has also been the recipient of several prestigious awards for her outstanding contribution to the field of education in the years 2013 and 2015.
Fatema has been awarded by Giants Group for her outstanding contribution to the field of education in 2012, the Young Achiever’s Award in the year 2017, Singapore based, Best of Asia’s, ‘Enterprising Educator in the year 2018 and as an entrepreneur ‘Best Edupreneur 2019 and Best Leadership’ by Progressive Academic Excellence India (Maharashtra 2019) and one of the 10th finest inspirational educators in 2019 by TKR, India . Her name is synonymous with successful education models of the country and she is adjudged as Education World’s top 50 Educators in the year 2020. Adding more feathers to her hat With close to 2 decades of experience in education, Fatema is the recipient of several honours including the Indian Achiever’s Award 2021. In July 2023, Fatema was also awarded the ‘Mumbai’s top Women Leader’ award by the CMO Asia National Awards’ (10th edition). Fatema is also a Jury Member for Cambridge School Recognition Awards 2025.
Having being associated with leading high school brands like DRS International, Hyderabad, NSS Hill Spring International, Mumbai, The Gera School, Goa, D Y Patil High School, Talegaon (Pune), SVM, Ratnagiri by the Gadre family, The Excellere World School, Gurgaon, JBCN International Schools, Mumbai, Fatema has now close to 40 pre-schools and high schools that she has set up from the grassroot level including a school for special needs’.
Fatema is on the Advisory Board of several Trusts including EduTech India, Wockhardft Foundation as well as a jury member, Education World Awards, a platform that recognizes the efforts of educators pan India. Fatema is also the Vice President for Early Childhood Association (ECA) and the Mumbai Territory Head for Association for Primary Education & Research (APER) in India. Fatema has been appointed as the global ambassador of the Commonwealth Entrepreneurs Club. . Fatema is on the advisory board of the All-India Gaming Federation (AIGF) and currently appointed as the National Council Member for Financial Literacy & Management by WICCI. Given her access to parents and her ability to provide age appropriate strategies to enable them to make more informed choices, Fatema’s passion remains counselling in the hope that effective parenting will enable children to benefit the most.
Fatema is also the special advisor of the Child Chapter Association (CCA), a non-governmental organisation registered as a Section 8. company under the Companies Act, 2013 whose mission is to spread awareness and eliminate child abuse, including child sexual abuse. Her role as a special advisor of CCA includes providing advice and guidance for their special outreach programs for Schools and teachers that tap into the child psyche and help them raise their voice against abuse. Fatema also played an instrumental role in the development of the CCA comic books and characters for their global campaign for child abuse awareness and prevention.
Currently, Fatema is the Advisor & Mentor to Finland International School, Race Course and on course to start her own school in 2026. As a TedX speaker, and a avid blogger, Fatema is passionate about sharing her knowledge amassed and inspiring stakeholders be it teachers, parents or students.
Her vision includes set up up of Soup Kitchens, Foster Homes and a community centre for the elderly under the Agarkar Foundation in time.
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