Minds beyond marks

On Building An Education System That Values Creativity And Practicality

Grisha Gautam, XII C & Zoya Negi, XII I, AIS Noida

As education evolves alongside industry expectations, are we preparing students merely to earn degrees, or to navigate the future? Aarti Srivastava, whose work champions meaningful reforms in India’s education landscape, reflects on the question in a conversation with GT reporters at GT Youth Power 2026, exploring qualities that will define tomorrow’s learners.

Roots of inquiry

My time at Seth Anandram Jaipuria School made me deeply aware of my Indian roots, while my years at Loreto Convent sparked a lasting curiosity for both ‘knowing’ and ‘doing’. This passion is what must be inspired in young people if we want teaching to become a first-choice career. Beyond the fact that government salaries are now largely comparable to those in private industry, teaching offers peace of mind, creative opportunities, and exposure that many conventional industry jobs may not provide.

Hands-on learning

At its core, education is a pursuit of knowledge, but there must be greater alignment between curriculum design and industry requirements. At present, our education system remains largely theoretical. I would like to see curriculum become more application-based so that students use what they learn in real-world contexts. Since education is an ever-evolving field, dynamism and stakeholder engagement must be built into the curriculum to bridge the employability gap.

Intelligence & innovation

AI is likely to be most effective in objective disciplines such as Maths and Science, but its role will be more limited in areas that demand creativity. When you watch a film, you witness the workings of a human mind - something AI cannot truly replicate. While the internet and AI can serve as tools for exploration, the human mind must remain at the forefront of analysing and synthesising ideas. Therefore, disciplines like Social Sciences and Media will continue to rely heavily on human capabilities, even in an AI-driven world.

Role of global exchange

India is part of a global community and must act like a sponge, absorbing the best educational practices from other countries. Many people move abroad in search of better opportunities, but by improving quality of life - through cleaner environments, reduced congestion, and competitive compensation - we can attract and retain talent. While careers and jobs naturally follow, a strong value system must remain at the heart of education if we are to create leaders capable of shaping a better future.

Message for Amitians

Education is a lifelong journey. The foundations you build here are important, but they are only the beginning. Continue nurturing your love for knowledge. Keep growing, keep learning, and strive to make meaningful contributions wherever you go.

A letter to sisterhood

Book: Blue Sisters | Author: Coco Mellors

Published on: May 21, 2024 | Genre: Coming of age, Urban fiction

Synopsis: A year before the novel begins, tragedy strikes the Blue family when they lose one of their daughters, Nicky. The book now reveals the dynamics and the lives of the other three sisters who have had an unconventional childhood, along with the grief that burdens them. As the story begins, the sisters receive an email on the anniversary of Nicky’s death from their mother, declaring the selling of their house. This decision eventually leads them to end up at the apartment where they grew up, and where Nicky spent the last months of her life. The book ranges through various themes, from love to loss and eventual recovery.

Why is it worth reading: The book offers what seems like a simple plot and while reading it, you find out, that isn’t the case at all. It shares how the sisters repair their bond in an impeccable way that is soothing to read. It shows how healing is seldom linear. The characters are very well written, as are their relationships with one another. Avery’s stilted relationship with her mother, Abby’s intense ‘FOMO’, i.e. fear of missing out directed at her other two sisters, and the guilt that Bonnie feels throughout the book. The book ends with a complex authenticity - a different resolution and individual clarity for each character, in their personal fashion of living and honouring the memory of their sister; by being together not only for each other, but for Nicky.