Dr. Bhavanishankar Subramanian is senior principal of the CBSE, CAIE (UK) & IB (Geneva)-affiliated Lalaji Memorial Omega International School, Chennai (LMOIS, estb. 2005). An alum of the University of Madras and Medical University of South Carolina, USA, he served as principal of Chettinad Vidyashram, Chennai, prior to signing up with LMOIS in October 2008. 

Are you satisfied with the Union Budget 2018-19 allocation of Rs.85,010 crore for education?

I am not satisfied. The allocation for education has dropped from 3.69 percent of GDP to 3.48 percent this year. Although the National Policy on Education has consistently recommended that government outlay for education be increased to 6 percent of GDP, this has not happened. The policy shift in education from ‘access’ to ‘equity’ and ‘quality’ hasn’t been addressed meaningfully in the education budget.

Across the country, state governments are increasingly interfering with the autonomy of private independent schools, particularly through fees regulation. What’s your comment?

When regulatory bodies already exist to apply checks and balances and prevent profiteering and other financial malpractices in education, why do we need additional regulation? The contribution of private schools is evident in that though they constitute only 26 percent of the total number of schools in India, they enroll more than 40 percent of the country’s school-going population. 

What is your solution to the challenge of increasing government regulation of private K-12 education?

Government regulation would be fair if neutral agencies are permitted to assess the quality of education offered in private schools. Interestingly, fees in private schools are sometimes less than the government’s spending in its own schools. Parental preference for private schools is largely determined by the need to prepare their children for the 21st century. It would be wise for governments to reorient their policies to improve student learning outcomes and develop skills needed for the changing job market. 

What are your Top 5 suggestions for reforming K-12 education?

• Revise the goals of education in the ever-changing landscape by stimulating life-long learning and adapting to change. 

• Curriculums and pedagogies should address individual learning needs. As we move towards more adaptive learning systems, standardised learning in classrooms needs to shift to personalised learning.

• Address the information overload culture by inculcating in students the ability to filter and retain information critical to their development. 

• Provide for psychosocial dimensions of learning in highly individualised technology-driven spaces by promoting social and emotional development. 

• Provide sustained professional learning opportunities for school managements and teachers.