How to build a Great School?

Background

The enchanting word “School” weaves its origins back to the ancient Greek word “Schole,” which intriguingly translates to “Leisure.” For the Greeks, leisure represented a cherished opportunity to ponder and engage with the world around them, absorbing knowledge through observation and reflection. They firmly believed that this “idle time” allowed one to decelerate, take a breather, and absorb the wonder and wisdom of their surroundings. This intimate relationship between leisure and the pursuit of knowledge eventually evolved into the creation of “places of learning” or the contemporary “schools” we know today. Some experts argue that the Greeks placed considerable value on “self-learning” and “peer learning” in their educational paradigms.

In contrast, Ancient India’s conceptualization of “School” finds its roots in the notion of “Gurukuls,” emphasizing the role of an erudite guru. The term “Gurukul” or “Guru-kula” is an elegant fusion of the Sanskrit words guru (‘teacher’ or ‘master’) and kula (‘family’ or ‘home’), embodying the essence of modern-day residential schools. Intriguingly, the Sanskrit word “Guru” is derived from two root words: “Gu,” symbolizing “darkness,” and “Ru,” representing the “remover” of this darkness. Thus, a guru is a beacon of enlightenment, banishing the shadows of ignorance.

The esteemed role of the guru is eloquently captured in a Sanskrit shloka:

गुरू ब्रह्मा गुरू विष्णु, गुरु देवो महेश्वरा गुरु साक्षात परब्रह्म, तस्मै श्री गुरुवे नमः

Meaning:

The Guru embodies the Creator, the Sustainer, and the Destroyer. He is the supreme force that illuminates our path towards enlightenment. We pay our humble obeisance to the Guru, a realized soul and the manifestation of the ultimate supreme power.

In contemporary English, the term equivalent to a guru is “Teacher.” However, ancient times recognized a more nuanced classification of teachers based on their distinct abilities, such as:

1. Adhyapak: The guru who provided information.

2. Upadhyaya: The one who imparted knowledge fused with information.

3. Acharya: The one who instilled skills.

4. Pandit: The one who offered profound insight into a subject.

5. Dhrishta: The one with a visionary perspective on a subject, teaching students to think similarly.

6. Guru: The one who awakened wisdom within you, guiding you from darkness to light.

Sanskrit, a language of unparalleled sophistication, remains unique in possessing such an intricate vocabulary to distinguish the various types of teachers.

Current Indian Education Sector

Let’s transport our conversation about “Schools,” “Learning,” “Gurukuls,” and “Education” to the present day, where we now reside and engage.

Over the past 5,000 years or so, “Schools” have transformed from “Gurukuls” or “School 1.0” to what could be referred to as “School 4.0” or “21st Century Schools.” These modern institutions are adapting to the demands of the fourth industrial revolution.

Currently, India is home to over 1.5 million schools, addressing the educational requirements of over 265 million students. A significant portion of these schools, about 75%, are government-operated, while the remaining 25% are privately run. Notably, 25% private schools enrol over 35% of the total students, highlighting a preference for private institutions over their government-run counterparts.

The entire education sector is estimated to be worth around $150 billion, or approximately 5% of the nation’s economy. Of this, the K-12 school segment represents around $70 billion, with an additional $2.5 billion attributed to stand-alone preschools.

Investments required for a Private K-12 School

It is interesting to note that in the last 8–10 years, schools affiliated to national boards (CBSE and ICSE) have grown at a CAGR of ~12% while international board schools (IB and CAIE) have grown at a CAGR of ~8%. This includes schools across fee segments (Mass i.e. annual fee<INR 20k; Masstige i.e. fees between INR 20k-100k; Premium i.e. fees between INR 100k-500k and Super Premium i.e. fees>500k p.a.).

The growth numbers look more phenomenal when we look into the kind of investments required to set up a single private K-12 school.

A typical private K-12 day school has a land parcel of 2–5 acres and a capacity of around 1,500–2,000 students with a built up area of around 1–2 lakhs sq. ft. Depending on the school type, location and quality of infrastructure being planned the investments required to set up a K-12 School could range anywhere between US$ 5–10mn on an average. This also includes funds required to sustain the school operations for the first 2–3 years when it incurs operational losses.

A private school unlike a modern day EdTech company needs to have a much more robust and financially sustainable model as it is dealing with the lives and future of our children. The task of setting up a private school becomes even more challenging as it is set up under a not for profit entity, limiting its capacity to raise funds from PEs and VCs. PEs and VCs on the other hand also don’t generally invest in greenfield school projects as these projects have a long gestation period. Thus the founder have to infuse their own funds to set up the school and continue to run it for the next 2–3 years with some degree of operational losses. Schools also come under a highly regulated space apart from having an asset heavy model.

However, despite these teething problems and challenges, a school, if well planned and run can bring immense goodwill to the promoters apart from the sustainable cash flows with an annuity model. Looking at this opportunity many leading international school brands have also forayed into the Indian school sector.

Yet, we have seen many private schools (even before and during the Covid-19 pandemic) not able to sustain their operations and being forced to shut down within 2–5 years of their launch. Poor planning, leadership and execution are typically the predominant reasons for schools shutting down.

How to build a Great and Sustainable School?

Building a great and sustainable school involves creating a learning environment that nurtures students academically, socially, and emotionally while minimizing its impact on the environment. Here are some key aspects to consider:

1. Vision and Mission:

• Develop a clear vision and mission statement that emphasizes academic excellence, sustainability, and community engagement.

• Align school policies and practices with the vision and mission, ensuring all stakeholders are committed to the shared goals.

2. Curriculum Integration:

• Infuse sustainability concepts and practices into the curriculum, enabling students to understand the interconnectedness of social, environmental, and economic issues.

• Encourage interdisciplinary learning, project-based learning, and experiential education to foster critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills.

3. Green Infrastructure:

• Design and construct school buildings using environmentally-friendly materials and energy-efficient technologies.

• Implement green features such as solar panels, rainwater harvesting, and natural ventilation to reduce energy consumption and waste generation.

4. Health and Wellness:

• Create a healthy learning environment by prioritizing indoor air quality, natural lighting, and ergonomic classroom designs.

• Establish a comprehensive wellness program that includes physical education, mental health support, and nutritious meal options.

5. Teacher Professional Development:

• Provide ongoing professional development opportunities for educators to stay current on best practices in sustainability and pedagogy.

• Encourage collaboration and sharing of resources among teachers to strengthen the school’s overall approach to sustainability.

6. Community Involvement:

• Engage parents, local businesses, and community organizations as partners in promoting sustainability and educational excellence.

• Organize events and projects that involve the local community, such as environmental clean-ups, garden projects, and mentorship programs.

7. Student Leadership:

• Empower students to take on leadership roles in promoting sustainability within the school and the community.

• Establish clubs and committees focused on environmental stewardship, social justice, and other sustainability-related issues.

8. Performance Monitoring and Continuous Improvement:

• Regularly assess the school’s progress towards sustainability goals using measurable indicators and data-driven decision-making.

• Use the results to identify areas for improvement and adjust strategies accordingly, ensuring continuous growth and improvement.

9. Understanding the Market for Financial Feasibility:

• Conduct a thorough market analysis to identify the demand for educational services in the area and the target demographic for your school.

• Analyse competition, including other schools and educational institutions, to understand their strengths and weaknesses, and to identify opportunities for differentiation.

• Develop a sound financial plan that includes realistic projections of revenue, expenses, and enrolment numbers, ensuring the school can achieve long-term financial sustainability.

• Consider potential funding sources such as grants, donations, and partnerships to support the school’s mission and sustainability initiatives.

10. School Design and Learning Spaces:

• Collaborate with architects and educational consultants to design a school that is conducive to learning and reflects your vision and mission.

• Prioritize flexible and adaptable learning spaces that can accommodate different teaching styles, group sizes, and learning activities.

• Incorporate outdoor learning areas, such as gardens, playgrounds, and sports facilities, to promote physical activity and hands-on learning experiences.

• Ensure that the school design complies with accessibility standards, providing a safe and inclusive environment for all students, staff, and visitors.

Building a great and sustainable school requires a holistic approach that incorporates academic excellence, environmental stewardship, and community engagement. By integrating these principles into every aspect of school life, educators can create a nurturing and forward-thinking learning environment that prepares students to thrive in a rapidly changing world.

It is no secret that as a country we are now not short of schools, we are short of only great schools. As education leaders let’s go back to the Greek model of learning, take a pause and reflect on our current model of education and see if and how we need to course correct to build a better world and its future citizens.

This article is authored by Aurobindo Saxena, Founder & CEO, RAYSolute Consultants, an education sector focussed consulting firm based out of Bengaluru, Karnataka. If you have any feedback or comments on this article, please feel free to share it with me at aurobindo@raysolute.com