The conversation in India as to how infrastructure impacts education has just begun a couple of years ago. A few innovative schools have recognised how environment can be the third teacher; and have made it an integral part of their best practises. One such example in this space is the approach that CHIREC takes towards integrating infrastructure in its holistic learning approach. They believe that effective educational infrastructure goes beyond mere brick and mortar physical spaces, and that modern school facilities should create an environment that nurtures learning in a holistic way. Teacher Training, Pedagogy and Digital Infrastructure are other elements which enable implementation of this approach at the ground level.

CHIREC recently formally launched its ambitious programme of CHIREC 2.0. This program aims to transform CHIREC’s educational vision for 21st century children. One of the key goals of this vision is to equip their learners to face the challenges of the 21st century. CHIREC 2.0’s ambition is to ensure that every one of their children has the facilities needed to thrive and flourish in a first-class environment dedicated to academic excellence and a holistic education. The infrastructure will enable them, to implement this vision and will house the best teaching-learning practices. The launch of their new international school campus at Serilingampally is a manifestation of this vision.

The new, sprawling 9.5-acre campus not only enables their holistic learning approach but also seeks to champion sustainability. It is designed to accommodate Cambridge and IB DP learners from Preschool to Senior Secondary. Classrooms are well-ventilated, air-conditioned, and furnished with ergonomic furniture. Spacious, airy classrooms, co-exist with dedicated spaces for STEAM subjects, languages, and humanities. Each classroom is Wi-Fi enabled with interactive boards and mobile laptop carts, fostering an interactive learning environment. A digitised research and resource center, collaborative learning rooms, and an extensive library support the students’ academic pursuits. The campus boasts advanced learning labs, including state-of-the-art Physics, Chemistry, and Biology labs, as well as facilities for Computers, Robotics, and 3D Printing.

Innovation is not only part of the culture at CHIREC, but it is also a quality that they seek to develop in their learners. In addition to learning experiences which inspire innovation, infrastructure such as Innovation Labs for primary students and a C-Hub lab for secondary students, enable students to practically implement their ideas.

The state-of-the art campus has a first-ever elevated sports deck of 120,000 square feet in Hyderabad. Indoor and outdoor Sports facilities meet international standards & students can choose from 60 different sports categories. Outdoor sports facilities include sprint and circuit running tracks, a football field, cricket nets, tennis courts, basketball courts, handball courts, archery and air pistol shooting ranges, a skating rink, and areas for hockey and kho-kho. Indoor sports facilities include badminton, volleyball, basketball, squash, table tennis, taekwondo, and gymnastics.

Emphasis on fine arts can be observed through the impressive co-curricular areas which include art and design studios, clay modelling and pottery studios, a black box theatre, music practice

rooms and a dance studio. Support for students includes learning support rooms, occupational therapy spaces, counselling rooms, and university and career counselling spaces.

As the first landscaped school in the city, CHIREC has been a forerunner in preserving the environment of Hyderabad. The eco-friendly campus aims to instil healthy and eco-friendly practices into the routines of students and staff. Some of the initiatives include – Solar power, Re-cycling of kitchen waste, Kitchen Garden, composting food waste and a bio sewage treatment plant.

Also read: Entrepreneurship Education: Exclusive Initiative between CHIREC & ISB