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Vashi2Panvel.com: Navi Mumbai: July 11:The result highlights of Std.XII CBSE Board Examinations-2006 has once again proved that DAV Management and students are all working hard, bringing up name of this satellite city. DAV Public Schools at Airoli, Nerul, Panvel,Thane & Pune; DAV International School at Kharghar & Mulund and J.H. Ambani School Lodhivali are managed by DAV western region. V2p had an exclusive interview of Dr. Kulbhushan Kushal, Regional Director DAV Institutions. Dr. Kushal with MA in English, Sociology and Philosophy, M.Phil. and Ph.D. in English Literature has made continuous efforts in bringing unique recognition to DAV Panvel School when it was granted ISO-14001 certification for its green, healthy, hygienic and pleasant environment and the IMC-Ramkrishna Bajaj National Quality Award 2005 was won by this school. In recognition of his contributions to the cause of holistic education Dr. Kushal has been nominated as member of Quality Council of India's (QCI) sub-committee on Education. Excerpts of the interview:

V2P : Would you tell us about the course philosophy of your institution?
We have mainly three aspects of course philosophy.
1. We strive to move from information to knowledge. We feel that the mission of an education is not only to provide information, because now a days so many channels are available for information. As such we should try to encourage and integrate those education practices which can transform information to knowledge. Thus, most of the time our teachers and School management are very keen to ensure how can we empower students to evolve understanding of the subject, rather than mere information.
2. We also believe that for effective understanding and knowledge it is very important to have understanding of heritage. Therefore conscious efforts on our part make teachers, students, learners responsive to heritage orientation, may be cultural, social and spiritual, so that they can appreciate all perspectives in education.
3. Integrating technology, computer, internet etc.,which can lead to better understanding.

V2P : In what ways your education imparting techniques are different from other institutions?
We believe that we are primarily in a service sector and therefore we very much appreciate the developmental needs of students along with aspirations of parents. We are very responsive to people who are coming to our organisation. We stay as an institution quite updated in knowledge and try to impart that knowledge and provide very comprehensive facilities for learners like libraries, computer rooms beyond the defined requirements.

V2P : What is your opinion on the standard of education in Navi Mumbai?
The standard of education in Navi Mumbai is improving. Lot of new institutions are coming up and there is a healthy competition and understanding amongst them. The perception of parents who have moved to Navi Mumbai from other places like Mumbai, Pune etc. is also excellent. They are taking lot of efforts in terms of programmes. This year Nihita Pandey from Navi Mumbai has topped in std.XII . 58 students from DAV schools of Navi Mumbai (at Nerul, Airoli and Panvel) have secured more than 90% marks. You can see lot of institutions like management, fashion are coming up here, all maintaining desire standards.

V2P : How do you justify comparatively higher fees structure at your institutions?
Primarily when we look at the fee component, there are establishment expenses and developmental expenses. We want to give very good infrastructure not only of physical in nature but also an effective educational environment and soft infrastructure like CDs, books, electronic media etc. and every effort is made to supplement this. To our teachers and faculties also we are imparting comprehensive training programmes through conferences, seminars etc. As such looking at all these developmental perspectives we feel our fees structure is justified.

V2P : Have you any plan for students of nearby villages?
We have tied up with a school in nearby village, where we have regular interactions with school management and students. We never refuse admission because of any knowledge gap, on the contrary encourage lot of admission from villages, thinking as part of our social commitment to bring them in to main stream.

V2P : What are the steps you are taking for guiding students from career point of view?
We have a career guidance cell here. We have collaborated with young groups in Mumbai and integrated it with our system. Right from std.II students start talking about career, various options and by the time they are in std X ,they crystallize some of their aspirations in proper direction.

V2P : What are you doing to train your staff?
Primarily we believe that we are all learners whether Director, Principal or teachers and as learners we try to utilise every opportunity for learning it whether it is conference or seminar or classroom where we learn from children too. Lot of emphasis is put on research and creativity. Based on all these factors our teachers have created different sets of books on various topics like computers, environment, and future projects etc.

V2P : What steps you are taking to groom up your students?
This school is supported by two major centres - first one is Dayanand Institute of Education Management and Research which keeps on organising many programs, and research work related to educational institutions. The other is DAV Centre for creative Education that organises events like KHOJ' means National Science Festival, which we have been doing for past 6 years. Other event is HERITAGE which is an Annual Program in which students from all over the countries participate. Other event in this series are PRATIBHA (Talents are focussed), AVKAASH (Holiday events), PRAKRUTI (Nature related programs) and SANSKRUTI (Cultural events). We are also conduct forums like ANUBHAV where adults from various walks of life come here and share their experiences and talk about their achievements. In our ASHIRVAD program we invite grand parents, who come even from long distances and spend some time with our students. The purpose of education is not only to impart knowledge from purely books but also to strengthen the emotional capacity of children to relate them with outside world and society.

Umesh Malviya