As the director of Quest Mall, spearheading the premier luxury retail destination in East India, Shivika Goenka has multiple successful ventures under her belt. She founded ‘The Loft,’ an exclusive pop-up space for curated events featuring renowned international luxury brands, esteemed designers, and distinguished artists from around the globe. In addition, she also promoted and is the creative force behind ‘The Gift Studio,’ a digital gifting portal that offers a diverse range of exquisite gifts, including gourmet food, fresh flowers, cutting-edge gadgets, branded merchandise, and unconventional experiences, available across India in all cities. She has also established ‘The Wardrobe,’ a multi-designer boutique showcasing emerging talents from the Indian fashion industry.

With a keen interest in the education sector, Shivika recently launched the RP Goenka International School (RPGIS) in Kolkata. A world-class institution for international education with state-of-the-art infrastructure, the latest educational technologies, and a team of highly reputed faculty members, RPGIS is driven by the vision to set new benchmarks of excellence in India’s international education landscape.

In an interview with EducationWorld, Shivika Goenka discusses the current state of education in India, about RPGIS’ vision and her interests.

1. What is the objective behind the establishment of RPGIS? Please elaborate on the institution’s vision.

Giving back to society has always been close to my heart, and I firmly believe that providing quality education is one of the most significant contributions we can make to shape a better future for the next generation. Driven by this passion, my team and I set out to create something truly state-of-the-art in the field of education. Our mission is to offer students the quality education they truly deserve, empowering them with knowledge, skills, and opportunities that will transform their lives. Our vision is about making a meaningful impact in the lives of children and young minds. We understand that education is the key to unlocking their potential, fostering creativity, and nurturing the leaders of tomorrow. By providing a nurturing and cutting-edge learning environment, we aim to instill a lifelong love for learning, critical thinking, and personal growth in every student we serve.

Every aspect of our educational initiative is carefully crafted to ensure excellence in teaching, personalised attention, and a holistic approach to education. We are committed to embracing the latest educational methodologies and technologies, making the learning experience engaging, dynamic, and relevant to the rapidly changing world. We also felt like there was a big gap between the existing educational landscape and the vision we held for the future. Our aspiration was to create a truly international school that would set new standards of excellence and redefine the way education is delivered.

We envisioned a learning environment that transcends boundaries, drawing inspiration from the best practices around the globe. Our dream was to establish a school that not only imparts knowledge but also nurtures global perspectives, cultural understanding, and the development of well-rounded individuals.

2. Please elaborate on the school’s curriculum and on the choice of an international curriculum.

We are currently a PYP candidate school, and a Cambridge certified school for Lower & Upper Secondary Cambridge followed by IGCSE and then IBDP. Learning at RPGIS is a holistic concept – where students learn as much within the classroom as they do outside it. We follow a comprehensive approach to education wherein we develop students across emotional, social, ethical and academic spheres, in an integrated learning format. Emphasis is placed on creating a positive school environment that meets the academic and non-academic needs of the students. For academics, we will adopt an international curriculum from nursery till grade 12, with two external board examinations – one each in grade 10 and grade 12.

3. In the Union Budget 2022, total allocation for the education sector was increased by almost 12 percent while in 2023, it was increased further by eight percent. What is your take on government spending on education especially in the post-pandemic era?

The increase in government spending on the education sector, especially in the post-pandemic era, is a positive and encouraging step towards strengthening the foundation of our nation’s future. Education is the cornerstone of progress and development, and investing in this vital sector holds the key to building a skilled, empowered, and resilient society. The challenges posed by the pandemic highlighted the significance of a robust and adaptable education system. This financial commitment reflects a commitment to address the gaps and vulnerabilities exposed by the pandemic, ensuring that no child is left behind in accessing quality education. In the aftermath of the pandemic, the education sector faced significant disruptions, including school closures and the need for remote learning solutions.

The increased funding reflects the government’s intent to fortify the sector, bolstering infrastructure, technological capabilities, and teacher training to meet the changing demands of the times. Moreover, a well-funded education sector can enhance equity in education, ensuring that every child, regardless of their background or location, has equal access to quality learning opportunities.

4. If there was one thing you could change in India’s education system, what would it be?

Today, the world is changing rapidly. We are all so connected, and ever-changing and we can now get information within seconds. It, therefore, becomes crucial that our approach to teaching and learning changes. We need to equip our future generation with the skills needed to deal with the opportunities and challenges they are likely to face. I wish children get enough holistic development for their all-round growth. I feel like with this high pressure on solely grades and this inflexible way of teaching, emphasising on rote learning – the children are not learning ways of critical thinking and applying the skills they need on a day-to-day basis. Progressive measures are needed, learning needs to become fun and engaging – making our children truly develop the love for learning. The teaching needs to shift from teacher-led to student-driven, and have a practical application in today’s real world.

5. Lately, the global discourse on K-12 education has been rife with the pros and cons of integrating Artificial Intelligence into learning systems. Please share your thoughts on this.

In this rapidly evolving world, achieving a balance between traditional systems and new-age technology is crucial. The advent of technology and the transformative impact of the COVID-19 era has reshaped education, and RPGIS is at the forefront of embracing this change to ensure our students are future-ready and well-prepared for the challenges ahead. At RPGIS, we recognise the significance of technology in education, and its potential to revolutionise the learning experience. One of the key advancements is the integration of Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR). We believe these innovative tools can help open up new dimensions of learning, providing students with immersive and experiential experiences that transcend the boundaries of traditional teaching methods.

6. What is your leadership style?

I believe in inspiring and motivating my team by setting a compelling vision and empowering individuals to achieve their full potential. At RPGIS, we encourage creativity, foster a sense of purpose, and promote growth both personally and professionally.

7. What is your educational philosophy? 

I believe in learning through experiences and believe that education should be student-centred focusing on the individual needs, interests, and abilities of students. It is important to promote active learning, problem-solving, and critical thinking, valuing practical knowledge and real-life experiences. I believe encouraging exploration and expression through various mediums, promoting a strong partnership between students, teachers, and parents is very critical.

Also read: RP Sanjiv Goenka Group launches RP Goenka International School