Yeshwanth Raj Parasmal is an Education Management Professional with experience of 20+ years in the sector. In June 2020, he has co-founded India's first online School - 21K School. 21K School gives an opportunity to offer quality education across the country whike overcoming the challenges of access, equity and affordability. Some of Yeshwanth’s Specialties include strategic planning, systems development, culture and value mapping, change management, brand building, Resource Management and Cost optimization - within the context of educational space - online and off-line.

What’s your vision towards imparting quality learning in India? How’s this vision aligned to the 21st century needs of the students?

Every child deserves the best education from the best teachers. As a professional working in the education sector for over two decades, I recognize that the problem of equity, equality and accessibility are not completely met through brick-and-mortar schools. At 21K School, our vision is to change this narrative and solve these issues. Online schooling can cut through these barriers and ensure that the best teachers in the country are able to reach students in the most remote locations, connected through the internet. There is no denying that the digital future that we spoke about now is here and the sooner we inculcate technology in our everyday, the better it would be for our youth. Building an affinity towards the responsible use of technology, especially through education, will allow us to teach students the best practices, discipline and also prepare them for their professional careers.

How do you evaluate the current education landscape in India? What are the major pain points that you see in this sector?

The best way to describe the current education landscape is that it is evolving. We’ve seen a significant push towards digitisation of education over the last one year and a change in behavioural patterns of both students and parents when it comes to associating with online learning platforms. We feel a crucial pain point which hasn’t been addressed as of yet, is that ‘Online Schooling’ is still not receiving the right attention from industry stakeholders and decision makers. There is an inherent need to create awareness about ‘Online Schooling’ amongst the Indian populous as there are many who are still aloof to what it actually means. With pandemic still active in the country, we feel it is the right time to invest time and resources to build the online schooling ecosystem in the country so that we are equipped to undertake challenges, provide all students with the best opportunities and also give them the flexibility to choose a mode of learning for themselves under the guidance of their parents.

There is an inherent need to create awareness about ‘Online Schooling’ amongst the Indian populous as there are many who are still aloof to what it actually means.

According to you, what should be the role of technology in schools?

If you map trends from the past few years, you can see that technology has increasingly become an integral part of schooling. From the use of interactive boards to video content, to supplementary online learning platforms and now online schooling – we’ve come a long way. It is a student’s first instinct to look up information on the internet, use learning tools to develop a better understanding of concepts and use subscription-based platforms when they need further help. We are of the opinion that responsible use of technology and leveraging it to derive the best results from learnt content. Disciple while using technology for learning is of utmost importance and thus should be done under the guidance of trained adults.

The Covid19 pandemic has disrupted the flow of conventional learning methods; how do you see the future of digital learning in the post-pandemic world?

We recently conducted a survey internally from teachers and parents and we could see an upwards trend in the adoption of online learning methods. Over 75 percent parents were open to continuing online learning for their children even when conventional formats are back in action. With the right support from industry thought leaders, digital learning would get the right push.

Digital Learning vs Campus based Learning, according to you, which is better and more affective?

Digital learning and campus-based learning differs on multiple parameters and thus, we cannot comment on which works better. The output and the effectiveness can be considerably different depending on the situation. Digital Learning through online schooling is location agnostic and may be the right option for various learner groups like homeschooled students, gifted learners, professional aspirants in sports and art, differently abled and those not having access to quality education in their city/town. A closer look at the pros and cons might help us know what works better for a particular situation.

Digital Learning: Digital learning is an umbrella term that means any type of learning using digital technology. One of the biggest advantages of digital learning is that one can study from anywhere if one has an internet connection. Digital learning also helps students save time and finances – by eliminating the commuting time spent every day. This also demands regular interaction with the technology and thus developing technical literacy with the course of time.

Campus Based Learning: Campus based learning is the traditional way to attend school, college with students coming to campus and attending classes in a physical environment – that gives a student’s life structure and routine. This type of learning facilitates regular face – to – face interaction with other students and teachers. However, campus-based learning is comparatively expensive and might not provide an adequate environment for special children.

How has online learning transformed the student-teacher relationship?

It is crucial that rapport between students is maintained. In order to ensure an effective learning process, learners need to build a connection with the person imparting knowledge to them. Over the span of the last one year, it has been noticed that the students – teacher relationship is changing drastically with fewer barriers. Teachers are now able to build personal rapport with the students they teach without having to discipline the entire class. This also means that students are also able to connect with teachers in a better way without distractions from other students.

Parents, Students and Teachers are the key stakeholders in the education sector. How will switching to homeschooling benefit the stakeholders?

Homeschooling has given the whole education sector a new opportunity to explore an alternative route and change the approach to education. Below enclosed are a few pointers highlighting the benefits to the stakeholders of home-schooling.

For Students

• Better Retention: Research indicates that online schools are better at engaging students through visual content and boosting retention rate up to 60%. However, in traditional classrooms students sometimes fail to connect with the course material or instructors.
• Saves Time: With online schooling, learners get to learn at their own pace rather than moving with the rest of the class. Besides this, there is no travel involved leading to saving as much as 1050 hours per year.
• Flexibility in learning: Online schools provide a greater degree of flexibility as students can have access to classes anytime, anywhere. It can be less stressful to manage classes along with other activities.

For Parents

• Supervision: Homeschooling allows a window for parents to oversee their children’s learning environment and graph their progress. It also allows parents to pick up a curriculum, resources, and subjects that they believe might work best for their kids.
• Lower Tuition Fee: Traditional schools tend to be more expensive than online schools as it provides additional facilities like big brick buildings filled with faculty rooms and classrooms, playing area, libraries etc. All these facilities will be reflected in students’ tuition fee as an operating cost. Thus, homeschooling is a financially viable alternative.
• Build Stronger Bond: Parents get to spend more time with their kids and thus give them an opportunity to build a bond that is stronger than usual. This also helps in teaching kids in a better and an effective manner by developing a one-to-one relationship with them.

For Teachers

• Convenience and Flexibility: Teaching online allows teachers / educators to search for more engaging content that might help students understand the concept better – thus reducing the manpower required. Additionally, they can conduct classes at the comfort of their home.
• Greater Engagement: Homeschooling requires every student to participate in the activity thread ensuring that every student comes up with innovative ideas and solutions – within a given time. Since, students get more time to respond, the teachers get more in-depth researched ideas – helping them expand their horizons.
• Enriching Experience: The teachers get to interact with students from across the globe enhancing their experience and enriching their existing knowledge.

How do you think NEP will transform the education space in India? Do you think NEP does justice to the education sector?

The National Education Policy announced in 2020 is most welcome. It lays emphasis on the development of the creative potential of each individual while developing critical thinking and problem-solving skills along with social, ethical and emotional capacities. India currently follows the national curriculum that was designed 16 years ago and its high time that we update the curriculum for our Schools. We hope that the new curriculum framework will be announced this year.

The NEP also emphasises on various important structural changes that are required, including the adoption of technology across the education system. However, I am disappointed with the lack of budgetary support and financial allocation announced in the Union Budget for its implementation.

• At a time when staying positive and motivated can be a gamechanger, what/who motivates you? Are there any thought leaders which you wish to follow for success?

I personally do not believe in the motivation theories. No one can motivate you other than yourself. I think if you love what you do and enjoy what you do, you will always be positive and motivated. A person who gets tired working continuously, means he is not enjoying his work.

I have learnt the principles of my life from my father Shri J Parasmal and I idolise him for his thoughts and approach towards life. I can summarise this as a philosophy of “Detached Attachment”.