A Candid Conversation with Dr. Swaroop Sampat Rawal, Actress, Teacher & Life Coach at Global School Leaders' Consortium - Inspire 3.0 In our chat, Dr. Rawal spoke about the importance of creating a safe and supportive learning environment and the importance of teaching life skills to children. She also spoke about SDG 2030, which is a United Nations goal that aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education for all and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all. Dr. Swaroop Rawal is an actress, teacher, and life coach who is passionate about transforming lives through education. She is the author of the book Play Practice Pursue: 10-Day Bagless School Approach to Pre-vocational Education, which advocates for the integration of vocational subjects into the teaching-learning process.

In a recent conversation with Ms. Pretee Kumar, we discussed the importance of 21st-century skills for students and how schools can incorporate these skills in their students. Ms. Kumar emphasized the importance of a do-it-yourself attitude, responsibility, and sustainability. She shared that she gives her students the freedom to go outside of their comfort zones and work on environmental projects. She spoke proudly of her school's recent achievement of planting 1300 trees by themselves. Ms. Kumar's approach to teaching 21st-century skills is inspiring. By giving students the freedom to explore and learn through hands-on experience, she is helping them develop the skills they need to succeed in the future. Her school's commitment to sustainability is also commendable. By teaching students about the importance of taking care of our planet, Ms. Kumar is helping them become responsible citizens. Key Learning from the discussion: 1. Provide opportunities for students to work on real-world projects. 2. Embrace project-based learning. This type of learning allows students to apply their knowledge and skills to solve real-world problems. 3. Give students the freedom to explore their interests. This could involve allowing them to choose their own projects or research topics. 4. Teach students about the importance of collaboration and communication. These skills are essential for success in the workplace and life. 5. Expose students to different cultures and perspectives. This helps them develop global citizenship skills.

During our recent conversation with Ms. Sangita Chima, we discussed the importance of 21st-century skills for students, the efforts of schools toward this, and how can schools measure the effectiveness of the program. Ms. Chima highlighted that the world today has moved beyond the 4 C's of 21st-century skills (critical thinking, communication, collaboration, and creativity) and that the skills that an individual would need for the future are "Transformational Competency'. She also mentioned that in social-emotional learning (SEL), self-management and self-awareness go hand in hand. SEL is the process of developing self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making skills needed to succeed in school, work, and life.

In our recent conversation with Mr. Pramod Sharma, Vice President, Genesis Global School, we discussed the importance of creating a culture of innovation in schools. During our conversation with Mr. Sharma, he shared a few examples of how his school is creating a culture of innovation by giving students the freedom to experiment with new ideas and work on projects that are outside their comfort zones. He strongly believes that when students feel trusted and empowered to take risks, they are more likely to come up with new ideas and solutions. Mr. Pramod's insights into the importance of innovation in education are timely and important. By creating an environment where students feel safe to take risks and experiment, schools can help to foster the next generation of innovators.

During our recent conversation with Mr. Mustaq, he spoke about the importance of 21st-century skills and the key features of teaching pedagogy that can help students develop the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in the global workforce. He emphasized on diversity and inclusion, the focus on real-world skills and applications, and the commitment to lifelong learning. In his institutions, students are encouraged to explore, question, and experiment to make sense of the world around them. This allows them to share ideas, learn from each other, and develop problem-solving skills. We strongly believe that by incorporating these elements into their teaching pedagogy, Laksh International Schools are helping to prepare students for a lifetime of learning and success.

In a recent candid conversation with Ms. Sheillie from GEMS, Cambridge International School, Sharjah, we discussed the importance of creating a culture of innovation in schools. Ms. Sheillie spoke about the importance of Design Thinking and how they have incorporated Design Thinking into their curriculum. In every school activity, one can see Design Thinking, thereby creating a culture of innovation. She fondly calls her students young budding entrepreneurs. During our conversation with her, she shared a few examples of how schools can create a culture of innovation by giving students the freedom to experiment with new ideas and work on projects that are outside their comfort zones. Ms. Sheillie's insights into the importance of innovation in education are timely and important. As the world becomes increasingly complex and interconnected, it is more important than ever for students to be able to think creatively and solve problems in new and innovative ways. By creating a culture of innovation in schools, we can help prepare our students for the challenges of the 21st century.

During our recent conversation with Mr. Richard Hillebrand, we discussed how schools are ensuring that their students are well-rounded individuals who are prepared for both academic and non-academic challenges. Mr. Richard mentioned that schools today are creating a learning environment that is supportive and nurturing and that they are balancing academic achievement with the need to provide students with opportunities to develop their social-emotional skills and character. There are many ways that schools can ensure that their students are well-rounded individuals, such as: 1. Offer a broad and balanced curriculum 2. Promoting social-emotional learning 3. Offer service learning opportunities 4. Creating a positive school climate We agree with Mr. Richard that by providing students with a well-rounded education, schools can help them develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in college, career, and life.

During our recent conversation, we discussed that the 21st-century workforce is constantly changing, and students need to be equipped with the skills they need to succeed in the ever-evolving workplace. In today's workplace, it is essential that students think outside the box and come up with new ideas. Students need to be able to see the world in new ways and find new ways to solve problems. They need to be able to communicate effectively, resolve conflicts, and build relationships. Schools can help students develop these skills by providing them with opportunities to learn and practice them. Schools must prepare students for the real workforce, not just colleges and universities. This will prepare them with the 21st-century skills they need, help them succeed in the workforce, and make a positive contribution to society.