It was an honour to be invited to Abudhya the Annual Day function of the Virmani Public School by none other than Mr Anil Virmani, Chairman of the Dhanpatmal Virmani Education Trust and Management Society, and Mr Amitav Virmani, CEO of Education Alliance and Manager of the Dhanpatmal Virmani Senior Secondary School, Roop Nagar, and the Virmani Public School, Roop Nagar. For me, it was like a homecoming to the first school in my teaching career.
I had first stepped into the premises of the Dhanpatmal Virmani Senior Secondary school more than three decades ago, after completing my Master's in Education from the University of Delhi, so it was an important annual event for me when I could meet a few of my colleagues like Mr Avtar Singh, Head of the school and my ex-managers under whom I had served!
Today, when I entered the premises, I was pleasantly surprised to see the newly painted corridors and classrooms. The pleasing colour scheme, the redone washrooms, and a swanky new computer lab were signs of change. The hard work of the Manager, Mr Amitav Virmani, was evident in every nook and corner! The whole school exuded positive vibes, and it had a welcoming aura. I learned that students and parents had stated that it had become a place where students were eager to visit.
The icing on the cake, however, was the Virmani Public School! As always, it was spic and span, the corridors had meaningful display boards, there was an air of excitement as students, teachers and all the stakeholders set out to showcase their achievements during the academic year. I was welcomed by Mr Anil Virmani, Mr Amitav Virmani, Dr Rekha Sharma (The Headmistress) and other teachers of the school with great warmth.
Two of the highlights of the event included the inauguration of the Dhanpatmal Virmani Senior Secondary School and the release of the Virmani Public School Magazine, 'Darpan'. The computer lab is equipped with the latest high-end desktops and is headed by a newly appointed, dynamic teacher who has great potential. The Virmani School Magazine is an expression of the Philosophy that drives the school.
I am so happy that both schools are in responsible hands, and I am glad to witness the potential of true leadership that can transform a platform of learning into an experiential model. Speaking after the release of the school magazine, Mr Amitav spoke about the four elements of the school's learning philosophy. He stated that the first element was the 'Head', the ability to develop knowledge and understanding. The emphasis is on building a strong foundation in language, early literacy, numeracy, and environmental awareness through meaningful experiences. The second element in the philosophy includes the 'Heart', which includes 'Nurturing Values and Mindsets'. Mr Amitav stated how the heart is central to early years in education. Emotion matters! The third principle was the 'Hand'. According to Mr Virmani, the 'Hand' encapsulates 'Building Skills Through Doing'. The 'Hand' represents skill development through 'active participation' in the learning process'. developing psychomotor skills is an aspect in the learning experience. The fourth and the last element in the Virmani learning Dharma is the 'Soul'. According to Mr Virmani, the 'soul' focuses on building relationships, connections, and a sense of belonging. Mr Virmani stated that 'Children learn best when they feel emotionally safe, accepted and connected to their learning environment.' He went on to state that 'learning should prioritise building strong trusting relationships between children, teachers, peers and all important stakeholders.' I was indeed touched by the inspiring words of a passionate educationist and transformational leader!
My visit to the Annual Day Function was an emotional moment for me as I was able to connect with everything that was said, displayed and presented. It was a transforming moment for me as an educationist, and I was able to connect with everything that was said. It felt as if the event was aimed at helping me understand what the purpose of education is and what it is not! Sometimes it takes decades and ages to understand what our purpose as educationists and teachers is. It made me feel enlightened and emotional to see how a philosophy can lead to an understanding of one's purpose in life as a teacher.
Funds have always been an issue with Government-Aided Schools, and it is indeed surprising to see how the Dhanpatmal Management and Education is not shying away from its generosity. The infrastructural upgrades, including the funding of the new computer lab at the Dhanpatmal Virmani Senior Secondary School and the Virmani Public school speaks volumes about the philanthropy of the Trust and the family members of the Virmani family. The legacy of the founding fathers of the trust is being kept alive by the descendants. The school that existed in Lyallpur before the partition is an example of the legacy kept alive in today's times.
The cultural program was well conducted, and it spoke volumes about the efforts put in by the teachers. The children were amazing, and they performed with zest and zeal!
In his address to the gathering, Mr Anil Virmani, an educationist par excellence and a visionary unparalleled, spoke about the challenges introduced by the advent of AI. He spoke about the challenges of unlearning and relearning in the learning process. He talked about how learning is a continuous process, not only for the students but also for the teachers. He thanked Mr Amitav for bringing about the transformation in the school. Mr Anil Virmani referred to Alvin Toffler, who had once stated that "describe the psychological distress caused by rapid technological and social change and he stated that 'Knowledge is the central resource of modern learning, eclipsing physical violence and wealth.
