Singh: A principal with principle

Singh: A principal with principle

Joyeeta Dutta Ray, Contributor, Jakarta

"The mind is a restless bird; the more it gets, the more it wants
and still remains unsatisfied," so said Mahatma Gandhi.

The ideals of A.P. Singh, principal of Gandhi Memorial
International School (GMIS), run in this vein. With each
milestone he achieves, he sets another a notch more challenging,
rather than opting to rest on his laurels.

Singh's interest in academics spawned a natural succession to
a teaching career that took flight in the hills of Mussourie,
India. In 1988, he spread his wings to Nigeria to hone the skills
of students in a Women Teachers' College.

When economic crisis struck the African country, Singh
returned to teaching in Mussourie, after which he accepted an
offer to take over the reins of Gandhi Memorial International
School, Jakarta, as principal. Singh came to Indonesia with his
wife, three children, and new hopes and dreams.

"One of the oldest international schools in the city, Gandhi
Memorial School was inaugurated in 1950 to cater to the needs of
Indonesians of Indian descent, at that time primarily from the
Sindhi community. In 1947, when the partition of India brought
the state of Sindh into Pakistan, political upheaval in both
countries compelled many Sindhis to seek shelter in Indonesia,"
says Singh, explaining how the school was established.

"Having merged into society as citizens of Indonesia, they
were not eligible to attend international schools according to
the law in effect then."

A sister institution -- Mahatma Gandhi School -- was set up to
serve the needs of the Indonesian Sindhi community, while the
GMIS embarked on its journey to function as an international
school.

After relocating several times in the last half century, just
six months ago the GMIS moved to its new campus in North Jakarta.

GMIS offers international-standard education at reasonable
fees to expatriates from India and other Asian and African
countries. However, the school was a far cry from its present
status when Singh arrived.

"GMIS was in the academic doldrums when I stepped in 12 years
ago," says Singh. "Teachers were underqualified and ill-trained
due to lack of funds. School hours were insufficient to
incorporate an intensive educational program. There was no
importance attached to extracurricular activities. After 1 p.m.,
the premises looked dead."

Singh realized that the only way he could revamp the school's
image was by rethinking its policies. He began the task of
outlining new strategies, sanctioned by the chairman of the trust
that runs the educational institution, Suresh Vaswani.

Under the new guidelines, salaries were revised to allow
qualified personnel to fly in from abroad. Curriculum content was
updated to meet new international standards. Extracurricular
activities were introduced for more rounded growth and
development.

In the true spirit of international multiculturalism and
retaining one's identity, Singh emphasized the introduction of
Bahasa Indonesia, Mandarin, Hindi and French as second-language
options, with English as the principal medium of instruction.

"The school provides an atmosphere where diversity is
considered a strength and differences are seen as assets," he
says.

Singh believes in promoting open-minded, research-based
thinking that is synonymous with the international baccalaureate
(IB) curriculum. "We have chosen to become an IB World School and
have been fully authorized since 1996 to offer the IB Diploma
Program."

That, he is convinced, will help alleviate the creative
stagnation that stems from the rote learning system.

Cramming or rote-learning is a system still widely prevalent
in Singh's home country, India. Considering GMIS follows the
Indian CBSE (Central Board of Secondary Education), which is
based on understanding through given matter in texts rather than
research, would the IB curriculum not go against the favored
Indian norm?

Singh does not think so. "There is a shift in ideology in
India as well. With more privatization of schools, several
institutions have embraced the IB curriculum, understanding the
value of inculcating free-thinking among children."

"So far, they are limited to big cities such as New Delhi as
the program is expensive." Sensitive to that issue, GMIS offers
the IB program as an option along with the compulsory CBSE
system.

Although IB encourages investigation and research, several
parents do not support its introduction. Many fear that intensive
research-based education in the early years will only serve to
pressure a child.

Singh says an enquiry-based education always lingers in the
memory. "IB students are encouraged to become critical,
compassionate thinkers and informed participants in local and
world affairs, conscious of the shared humanity that binds all
people together, while respecting the variety of cultures and
attitudes that make up the richness of life."

Today, under Singh's leadership, GMIS figures among the top
international schools in the country. However, Singh feels that
this is not the be-all and end-all of his journey. His teachers
are sent on regular training programs to keep abreast of emerging
technology. Workshops are arranged to invite experienced
professionals from abroad to update the teachers.

"Teachers are the pillars of any foundation of knowledge, thus
ensuring their growth and ability is critical. The guidelines of
the primary and middle year program and diploma program of the IB
aim to achieve that objective," says Singh.

His efforts have been recognized by several quarters.
Recently, the staff and students of GMIS were praised by George
Walker, director general of IB, for their prompt action in
rushing to the aid of tsunami victims.

"The school swung into action right away, collecting generous
donations and delivering rice, oil, etc. by truck, the very night
of the disaster," says Singh.

"Some of our teachers were selected for training by
international committees to help heal children psychologically
scarred by the disaster. In fact, GMIS has pledged to continue
efforts in that direction for the rest of the year," he added.

In the academic field, students continue to compete
meritoriously, securing admission to world-class universities.

GMIS' move to its new campus in Sunter six months ago marks a
new era for the school, embracing modern amenities to facilitate
a wholesome multimedia environment, designed by Bobby Prem
Jethnani, an architectural engineering graduate from Australia.

A well-equipped gym, swimming pool and complete track and
field facilities have been incorporated along the lines of
leading IB international schools.

Stepping into the building on a Saturday, a school holiday,
one sees a flurry of activity in the corridors. Children involved
in after-school activities display genuine interest. The
cafeteria holds students and teachers rapt in discussion. The
principal has visitors lined up to meet him.

After 1 p.m. the premises are anything but dead.