Leading Transformation in Low-cost Private Schools

It is widely believed that people from socio-economically challenged

background are not quality conscious and have lower expectations.

Certainly no lower expectations when it

comes to

their children's education

Another Example

There are schools around

Poor parents in “developing” countries and emerging economies are using low-cost private

schools in large numbers

65-75% of the poor using these schools in urban and peri-urban slums and significant minorities in

rural areas

(see Tooley, 2009)

However, standards are higher than government schools but not high enough (banerjee and Duflo,

2011)

So what can be done?

Past of Sodha Schools

• Parents were leaving us• Teachers were being poached • Everyone knew that something needed to be done• But refused to start a new chapter• Some teachers had been there for more than 15 yrs• Some peons were serving us since 22 yrs • Parents were getting more aspirational • Students were very well aware of facilities and

practices in other schools• Schools needed Change• My schools needed to address the changing

dynamics of the market

• Did what any good leader would do!

• Called a meeting and told my staff, if we were to survive, we need to change

• Gave a really long feel good lecture

• What was the outcome?

Put a first hoarding out there stating

“ We are changing ”

Teacher Training• First things first

• Teachers may be born but they can be made as well

• Teacher training

• It started as purely motivational sessions to begin with

• Slowly introduced technology

• Personal grooming

• Behaviour, etiquettes

• what was my idea of ideal classroom environment

• Then came the small details

• How to do your board-work?

• How to select good examples?

• What is a lesson plan? what is a good lesson plan?

• Rather than explain try to demonstrate

• Systematic homework plans

• Behaviour with students

• How to address parents queries

• When phoning parents for meetings

• Embedding technology in your lessons

• Taking the granny approach

Pedagogy Search - Analyse-critically appraise- knowledge

Blended Learningprogressive

Assessment Let’s question

Hidden Curriculum Unconscious behaviour

Standardisation Micro management of quality

Cultural U-Turn

Ready?

Leadership + Vision+ Change management

National Independent School AllianceNISA

15 states7500 schools

Replicable + Scalable + Sustainable