Education, like every other sphere of society, is undergoing rapid transformation in the wake of technological disruption and changing global dynamics. BW Education recently organised the annual School Leadership Summit in New Delhi, providing a platform to industry leaders and academicians to reflect on the evolving role of technology, teachers, parents and students in the classroom of tomorrow.
At a panel discussion on ‘Future of Education – Modern Teaching Methodologies, Edtech Innovations, Personalised Learning', educators revealed both the opportunities and the anxieties shaping modern education. From flipped classrooms to AI-driven personalisation and from parental expectations to the digital divide, the panellists underscored that while technology is a powerful enabler, education ultimately remains a profoundly human endeavour.
For the panellists, the key question was not whether technology should be in the classroom but how to use it responsibly. AI can help personalise learning and take students to the edge of their potential. Yet, it must not detract from the most important outcome — critical thinking, they emphasised. ChatGPT can help you get answers quickly, but if students stop thinking critically, they risk losing the very skills that define human intelligence.
They also talked about the flipped classroom and admitted that teachers today often find themselves learning from their own students, especially the ‘digital native’ generations. Today’s children, especially Gen Alpha and Gen Beta, were born into a world of AI. Many times, they are ahead of teachers in using technology. But technology cannot teach empathy, kindness or resilience, and which is where the teachers’ role is important.
As the panel drew to a close, one message stood out: while the pace of technology will only accelerate, education must not lose sight of its core purpose. To prepare students for the future, schools must cultivate critical thinking, empathy, resilience and adaptability, skills that no machine can replicate.
The speakers were: Imran Rashid, Chief Business Officer, PhysicsWallah; Dominic Tomalin, Headmaster, Shrewsbury International School India; Abhishek Kumar Yadav, Founder Chairman, Griffins International School; Vidhi Mistry, Executive Director, Oxford International India; and Rupa Chakravarty, Director, Suncity School, Gurugram.
Social Media & Mental Health
In the panel discussion ‘Impact of Social Media on Mental Health’, speakers admitted that social media is here to stay, and not just children but adults, too, are addicted to it. While blaming students for overusing social media, the adults are doing the same. While acknowledging that it is fun, they took note of the consequences for students. Social media use for long hours needs to be balanced, as it does affect mental health. However, we should understand that the pros and cons of social media, are very important to understand. The panellists discussed the question of self-worth being defined by social media, bullying, body shaming and other aspects.
Snehal Pinto, Director, Ryan Group of Schools; Neena Kaul, Principal & Director, Heritage Xperiential Learning; Sangeeta Kain, Principal, Welhams Boys School; and Tanya Valecha, Principal, Rustomjee Cambridge International School and Junior College were speakers at the panel.
AI In Classrooms Needs Balance
Indian school leaders are warning that while artificial intelligence and digital tools are reshaping education, classrooms risk losing originality and human values unless teachers adapt through continuous training and careful integration of technology.
The panellists brought home the point that teachers still carry the imprint of a 40–50-year-old teaching style, while students have moved on. Today’s child is exposed to multiple sources of information, yet in the classroom, the teachers are still following a rigid, textbook-based model. This is why passive learning persists. Unless teachers reinvent themselves, education will continue to lose relevance.
Educators noted that the challenge is not just about upgrading infrastructure but also about changing mindsets. As students embrace faster, multi-source learning, the role of the teacher must shift from information delivery to guiding critical thinking and creativity.
It is not enough to organise a workshop once in a while – schools need sustained, continuous training that helps teachers evolve with changing times. Unless that happens, the gap between students and teachers will only widen.
The discussion also pointed to the widening gap between how students consume knowledge and how classrooms operate. Digital distractions, short attention spans and device dependence are emerging as obstacles to deeper learning.
Speakers also highlighted the importance of recognising individual student strengths. Education, they said, must move away from a one-size-fits-all model and give teachers the motivation and recognition needed to inspire.
The future of classrooms, principals agreed, will be flexible, hybrid and centred on sustainability and values.
The panellists were Rashid Sharfuddin, Principal, Kasiga School; Vibha Kapoor, Principal, Welham Girls’ School, Dehradun; Amandeep Sandhu, Principal, Sherwood College, Nainital; and Priyanka Bhatkoti, Principal, Gyanshree School.
Fireside Chat On Parenting Partnerships
Parenting must be at the heart of conversations on education if society is to build safer schools and healthier young adults, said Manjula Pooja Shroff, Founder Chairperson, MD & CEO, Kalorex Group, during a fireside chat with Anantha Krishna, CEO, Kalorex Group.
Pointing to recent cases of teen violence and distress, she underlined that schools alone cannot address issues of sex, violence, cyberbullying or pornography. “We can only teach the curriculum. If you do not partner with parents, you will no longer have a safe society,” she stressed, adding that mental health and parenting must precede the pursuit of marks.
Drawing from her book ‘Baby Steps to Big Dreams’ Shroff said the inability to process fear and emotions often triggers crises among young people. “When a child commits suicide or reacts to cyberbullying, it is because they cannot handle their emotions. We never teach them how to process sadness, jealousy, rejection or failure,” she said. The book details more than 36 fears children encounter, from fear of rejection to fear of losing loved ones, and urges parents to initiate age-specific conversations.
The sequel, ‘Safe Teen Steps’ tackles online dangers faced by preteens and Gen Z, including grooming, catfishing, sextortion and pornography. “India is the number one cyberbullying capital of the world. Children cannot process the difference between real and reel, and the shrinking of the frontal lobe due to constant radiation is leaving them unable to retain or reason,” she warned. She added that class 9 has emerged as the most vulnerable stage, with repeated cases of violence and online exploitation surfacing.
Emphasising the urgency of parental guidance, she cautioned against early device exposure. “Delay the use of devices, delay social media till at least 16. Every parent must know the dangers before handing over a screen. Fake IDs, sexting and nudity are already rampant,” she said.
Improving Or Proving
Reflecting on his own school days during a special address, Lakshya Raj Singh, 77th Custodian of Mewar, recalled how dyslexia was little understood in the 1990s and students often faced harsh disciplinary methods. “The idea is never to prove. The idea is always to improve,” he said, adding that education should be about awareness and empowerment rather than punishment.
He urged educators and students to shift their mindset from seeking validation to focusing on genuine improvement and learning.
Lakshya Raj Singh highlighted India’s demographic advantage, calling it the world’s youngest nation and the torchbearer of the 21st century. “The 19th century belonged to Britain, the 20th to America and the 21st century will belong to India. The pathway is through education,” he stressed.
Concluding his address, Lakshya Raj Singh urged the audience to see education not just as formal study but as a lifelong journey of self-improvement. “If India is to lead the century, it will be through education, awareness and the values we uphold,” he said.
Balancing Academics And Extracurriculars
In today’s education system, students are under growing pressure to perform not only in academics but also in extracurricular activities that range from arts and sports to debating and social impact projects. While this holistic model of learning broadens horizons, it also brings a pressing question: how can children balance multiple priorities without burning out?.
The educators agreed that balance is less about strict timetables and more about helping students build self-awareness, prioritise wisely and take ownership of their choices. The discussion made it clear that schools, families and technology must come together to support children in navigating this complex landscape.
At the same time, panellists cautioned that schools must avoid token gestures. As Arti Chopra observed, “Flexibility is meaningful only when supported by actual infrastructure and mindsets. It is not enough to allow time for sports - schools must also provide coaching, mentoring and recognition.”
Mohammed Azhar, Principal, Knowledge Academy School; Arti Chopra, Principal, Amity International School, Gurugram; Jyoti Saxena, Principal, Platinum Valley International School; and Rohini Aima, Principal & Vice Chairperson, Jammu Sanskriti School, were the panellists, while Mukesh Sharma, Founder Chairman, Prometheus School, was the session moderator.
AI In Classrooms: Educators Weigh Fears, Opportunities
During the panel discussion on ‘AI and the Future of Jobs – Threat or Opportunity’, the discussion moved beyond fear, stressing the need to embrace technology as an enabler while deepening the human values of compassion, empathy and connection.
The speakers observed that every technology arrives with its own anxieties, and like earlier technologies, AI will soon prove to be an enabler. Schools must continue doing what they do best, shaping human relationships and building compassion, kindness and empathy. They emphasised that AI has brought core subjects like mathematics and sciences back into focus, as these form the foundation of developing large language models.
Priyanka Barara, Principal, Salwan Public School, Rajendra Nagar and Mridul Batra, Co-founder, Prakriti School, were the panellists.
They emphasised the importance of questioning whether AI’s output is correct, ethical and community-friendly. The discussion concluded that adaptability and the ability to learn and unlearn are the keys to thriving in a dynamic world. |
