31st Conference of CBSE Gulf Council Principals was held in Bengaluru last week. Number of CBSE principals from Gulf countries including Kuwait attended the conference.

The true idea behind this conference is to promote areas of cooperation among member schools, and help in mutual growth. A panel discussion on the theme ‘Our children deserve more’ was held as part of the conference. The discussion included ideas to provide better education to children and nurture their creative skills.

Panel members felt a change in curriculum and conducting regular training sessions for teachers would help them understand the needs of a child. Asha Sharma, a principal of Learners Own Academy, from Kuwait, explained that it is more important for the child to learn things rather than “mugging up”. “Children do not get enough attention, love, affection from their parents and teachers,” says Arun Kumar Sharma, Bahrain DPS principal. He explained how quality time with children improved their academic performance.

The panel members agreed on the fact that every child should learn how to face failure, and their differences should be respected. “We need to teach them life skills and prepare them for the worst,” says Papri Ghosh, principal of a CBSE school from Oman.

The members felt that hands-on learning must be practised to nurture creativity, and help the child enjoy education at every step. Srinivasan Murugan, a principal from UAE, observed that empathy helps understand children better and guide them accordingly.