Blog

4 Jun 2021 |

School Consultants in India

Are school consultants necessary for school projects? What is the role of a school consultant in India? In this post, we explore various scenarios in which school consultants can add value. Let’s dive in.

Who needs a school consultant?

These are some of the main reasons for bringing a school consultant on board:

If you are an entrepreneur setting up a new school and making an investment into land and building, you should definitely hire a school consultant to walk with you through the project. They can guide you on making a better school, one that will withstand the changes over time and still deliver an amazing experience for students.
If you have an existing school and are looking at upgrading the infrastructure or the quality of the school, school consultants can add value to the change process.
If you have an existing school that is doing well, they can do an audit and give you an independent perspective of where you stand and what could be improved.

School consultants are usually brought on board by the owners, management or board of governors of a school. While they may work with school leaders, staff, students and parents, they usually submit the required reports to the school owners so that appropriate plans can be drawn to implement changes.

What are the types of school consultants in India?

There are numerous school consultants in India and they can be broadly categorised into the following:

Academic Consultants: Consultancies setup by ex-Principals or teachers usually focus on the academic side of the school – they work on defining the curriculum, teacher training, recruitment’s etc.
Project Consultants: These are school consultants who have experience in launching new schools and creating infrastructure for school projects. Project consultants often define the financial projections of the school, plan the kind of school to be created and help in getting the infrastructure ready for operations. They are usually recruited at the beginning of a new project and their roles end once the school is ready for launch.
General Consultants: Consultants who cannot be defined as educational or project consultants fall in this category. They have expertise in school operations and management, and can act as a bridge between school owners and everyday operations of schools.

Over the years, Newton Schools has provided services for all the above 3 functions to various schools. While the core team at Newton Schools has expertise in School Project Consultancy, we have team members who also service the other functions.

There are other kinds of educational consultants providing services for enrolling students in universities abroad, only recruitment services etc. They are not relevant from the perspective being considered here.

What are the benefits of a school consultant?

As a school owner or management team member, you are involved in creating or operating a particular school or group of schools. You would need perspective on each decision, that is not clouded by your current thinking and operations. Experienced school consultants would have worked with multiple school projects and gained a variety of experience. They bring this value to the table and ensure your school benefits. Bringing on board an experience school consultant benefits in the following additional ways:

Cost Savings: Experienced school consultants can help your school save costs, they know how to avail services at reasonable prices and know the source of good service providers.
Avoid Mistakes: Many schools have tried various things and made several mistakes and learnt from them. You can avoid those mistakes, saving time and money, by bringing in experienced school consultants.
Wider Vision: While you may have a great vision and a plan for your school, it helps to validate the same by discussing it with school consultants. Often, the vision and the plan are enhanced by the inputs provided by the consultants.
Better execution: This is especially true for new schools that are to be constructed. School consultants can ensure the whole project is executed well, avoiding delays and mistakes that have significant costs.

How much do school consultants charge?

While this answer isn’t applicable on all, some of the ways in which school consultants charge are:

1. Project Cost: School consultants offer a proposal for executing a particular project and define a fixed cost for the project. In such proposals, the time consumed by the consultants or the time span of the project is defined. This is usually done for smaller, shorter projects.
2. Retainers: Most school consultants offer a retainer service, where they contribute a fixed amount of time per month to the school. Their role during that time is defined. Retainers help schools in getting maximum inputs from consultants at a fixed cost over a long period of time.
3. Project Percentage: This method of charging is usually applied by school consultants for new school projects, where it is expected that the project consultants will help save costs. A defined percentage of the entire project value is charged as a fee by the school consultants and their role is defined to ensure the project proceeds smoothly, within a budget.
4. Time Basis: There are consultants who charge by the hour. They usually have a minimum number of hours defined per week or per month and the role is also accordingly limited.

In most of the above, any travel and outstation stay of a consultant is billed to the school. If the consultancy is a firm with additional manpower supporting the main school consultants, the charges are accordingly billed to include services of all the people involved. The charges of all consultancy services vary, based on their expertise level, the services they provide and the specific requirements of your school.

For additional information or to talk to us at Newton Schools, please contact us.

24 Dec 2020 |

Furniture for today’s classroom

Today’s learning environments are evolving to keep up with the changing environment and technological advancements. All the new-age schools require classrooms that foster collaboration and creativity among learners.

More and more schools are integrating technology in the classroom but this also means classrooms must now be equipped with specialized furniture to accommodate the changes.

Here are a few furniture ideas for today’s classroom that will provide an ideal learning environment for learners to thrive and grow.

Collaborative & Flexible Furniture

Traditional classrooms are equipped with static desks and chairs all facing the same direction. There is also a blackboard placed behind the teacher’s desk. Classrooms with this type of layout aren’t ideal for group activities. It makes it tedious and time-consuming to arrange desks and chairs for group interactions.

Today, collaboration is crucial in a learning environment. In the future, when learners apply for jobs they’ll be expected to be able to work in variable teams. Working collaboratively in school will help a child interact, communicate, and find solutions to problems while working with others.

By making them modular, the desks can be used for variable sized groups and for multiple applications. Collaborative furniture such as light movable desks, desks, and chairs with wheels, integrated with power outlets, and round tables. Schools can implement modular adjustable desks with comfortable seating. This will create learning experiences suited to their tasks or projects.

Tech Integrated Furniture

School curriculums are changing to adapt to the changing technological needs. Due to the pandemic, remote learning has proven to be accessible for all learners. Now, through laptops/tablets/computers classes can be accessed and through interactive software, homework can be submitted.

To prepare learners for the future, classrooms need to be technologically integrated. Tech-integrated furniture will help learners explore new avenues of learning with a better engagement of learners. Multimedia tables, desks with power outlets, etc can easily integrate with tech learning solutions. Storage cupboards with charging docks.

Engaging Furniture for Learners

When learners spend most of their time sitting on static desks and chairs in the classroom, chances are that they have very little interaction and engagement. But studies have shown that new-age schools that have adopted flexible furniture, have shown a positive impact on learners’ overall engagement, creativity, and motivation. Learners need classrooms that inspire them, help them express, share ideas, and be comfortable enough to stay attentive throughout the day.

Engaging furniture such as soft seating, cushions, mobile chairs, and niche seating creates, portable boards and storage units, can make the classroom experience more engaging.

1 Dec 2020 |

Canteen Conversations: Acoustic Solutions for Schools

Students often look forward to their break-time in school because of various reasons. Firstly, as they can meet their friends across various grades and chat over their favorite cartoon/movie episodes and also fill their tummies with some amazing food.

Break time also acts like beating the monotony for them. As they are other times much involved in academic learning.

The same is the case with the teachers. In their break time, they too require a rejuvenating experience.

Studies have also shown that to savor food completely & for better digestion, one’s five senses must be completely present while having food, namely:

Sight
Smell
Touch
Taste
Sound

Notably, Sound also is a very important sense while savoring a meal to the fullest. From the sound of breaking bread to chewing, swallowing, etc. contributes to this sense. These may be also termed as natural sounds while eating. The problem arises when the natural sounds are suppressed by the unnatural sounds, which is in turn the noise created in the room by poor acoustic treatment.

The underlying question still remains- Are students & teachers really able to get the best out of this break time?

In most cases, the answer sadly remains No. The reason being canteens/cafeterias have high sound pressure levels. The major factors that contribute to the noise are:

A large no of students talking with each other
Cutlery/tiffin/table/chair noise
Fan/AC noise etc

As far as it goes, one may have very little control over the factors that contribute to the noise. But surely the environment can be altered in a way that will reduce the sound pressure level. Most of the time canteen spaces are not prioritized in having good acoustics. Whereas it is one such space that needs to be really thought well off when it comes to acoustics.

The solution is not that complex – Install complete wall-to-wall high absorbing Class A acoustic ceilings and cladding at least 20% of the floor area with acoustic wall panels on any of the nearest wall surfaces, if feasible. Class A sound-absorbing systems will absorb about 90% of the sound that would hit on the material, thereby ensuring reduced echo and noise.

The results of which will be:

Lower stress levels in teachers/students
Higher productivity
Enjoying the meal without high background noise

There is less weightage provided to acoustics, currently in the Indian market. In most cases, stakeholders aren’t aware that there is a solution to the problem of noise and it isn’t too complicated either. While auditoriums, classrooms, and other areas have their own importance, the canteen/ cafeteria spaces cannot be neglected for sure!

The high NRC acoustic solutions by Ecophon can help transform a noisy room into a much calmer one. Acoustics contribute to a better working environment where people work and communicate.

To know more log on to: –

www.ecophon.in

Harshal Kolwankar
(Concept Development Manager)
Ecophon Group

About Ecophon Group:

Ecophon Group develops, manufactures, and markets acoustic products and systems for ceilings and walls. Used all over the world, they meet the growing demand for good acoustics with a focus on offices, education, and health care premises. Ecophon contributes to a better working environment— wherever people work and communicate. The company is based in Sweden & it’s a part of the global Saint-Gobain.
Group www.ecophon.in

30 Nov 2020 |

How to make social distancing work in schools?

We all are waiting for the schools to reopen. It has not only been tough for learners but also for the teachers to conduct classes online during this pandemic. We are still a long way off from the normalcy of pre covid times. We have to make it our way of life.

Shared below are some notes on making social distancing work in your school?

Prepare teachers, staff, parents, and students

All groups need to be prepared for the school reopening post-COVID. These have been unprecedented times, restarting needs understanding of everyone’s frame of mind. A survey with each of the groups on their readiness to restart school will create a framework for future interactions and also sensitize the school on their anxieties.

A representative working group of parents, teachers, and staff should be set up for planning & execution of the new protocols in school. A health and sanitization consultant may also be brought on board.

The group should undergo a risk assessment exercise. These sessions must plan the structure of functioning, classroom arrangement, social distancing, circulars, and policies on COVID guidelines for ensuring safety and hygiene at school.

Teachers are expected to deal with learning recovery and, student’s mental and psychosocial needs. The school counselor must also help the teachers plan the student engagement. Minimize any activity that requires physical contact or sharing of resources. Train teachers to help children understand the social distancing guidelines and how to ensure their safety. This communication must also be planned with parents & students.

The group must identify the spaces that are an absolute must for the functioning of the school. Spaces, where social distancing is difficult to implement, must be kept closed/ alternatives identified.

People Driven Learning

Children gain a lot from being in school, with their interactions with teachers and peers. While technology has served us well to plan learning interactions, we must also leverage it to allow greater physical interactions. We must ensure that this technology is available in all classrooms. Children should be able to attend class discussions from the home virtually or physically in classrooms. The scheduling or the school roster should be managed to allow social distancing between those present in school. Blended classrooms that have been talked about lately gain more relevance to create “personalized learning”.

Designated Zones on Designated Days

Children must have access to as many spaces in the school as possible. A coding mechanism may be implemented to create designated zones for children for various days of the week. This way groups that will go to the spaces will be predesignated. And the sanitization team will be able to clean the spaces after use by each group.

Communicate with Parents

Parents must be assured of their ward’s safety at school. The working group’s recommendations implemented in school must be shared with the parents, they need to be on board for the reopening. They must understand the tasks from them. Unless the parents support this it will be difficult to get children to follow. The processes should be implemented to create a safe space and avoid any fear-based messaging, to be sensitive to all.

While there is awareness of hygiene, safety, and social distancing, implementing it in a school space means that there have to be greater awareness rules at school. The use of masks, sanitizers, and hand wash should be facilitated by their easy access in school. In spite of these measures, there has to be ownership where parents must monitor their children, the children and staff must also self-assess. It is only when there is this acknowledgment can such a system work. The communication then becomes important.

Staggering Hours / Days at School

Staggering hours, the students’ arrival at school can be planned in a way to prevent overlap with the next slot. This will give enough time to implement cleaning protocols and assembly of large groups. Plan transport timings or ask parents to pick and drop their kids to maintain safety. With the time slot, you have to plan the seating arrangements as a measure for social distancing. When technology is leveraged in school then the entire class does not need to be in on the same day.

School Transport

Parents might prefer to drop their children at school on their own. Whenever it is possible to restart school a spaced seating arrangement to maintain social distance must be implemented.

As all children do not attend the class on the same day, the spacing will be possible in school transport. The transports must be sanitized after every use.

Cleaning, disinfection, and sanitization

Cleaning removes impurities from the surfaces while the disinfection process uses chemicals to kill germs that might be present on the surfaces and sanitization works either by cleaning or disinfection and lowers the risk of spreading infection. Timely sanitization at school will help lower the risk of spreading infection.

A variety of sanitization procedures must be implemented as different areas/surfaces may need different procedures.

Maintain Hygiene and Ensure Safety

Wearing masks should be mandatory for everyone on the premises. Everyone should be sensitized on the kind of masks to wear, to wear them properly, and to use fresh masks each day. Everyone should also be encouraged to carry spare masks and to change them in case any gets dirty. Also, they must not share or switch masks.

The school may implement entry protocols for temperature and oxygen saturation, at the same time there must be a safe & comfortable isolation zone for students/staff who show symptoms that warrant isolation/ non-entry to the school.

Use Poster and signages

Use posters and signages to display the safety measures for everyone at school with language and visual medium that is suited to the children. Visual information is more easily grasped.

The goal of the exercise is to restart the learning among the children in a healthy and safe way. Processes often fail because of the human element, getting all stakeholders on board is very important for this to succeed. And all variations must be documented so that there is a clear understanding of the reasons for each failure. These will enhance the ability to prevent them the next time and to improve the processes.

18 Nov 2020 |

Ensuring safety and security in schools

How can schools ensure safety and security in schools? Safety and security are very crucial for schools. It is not only important for the students but also for the teachers, parents, and other members of the school.

It is the responsibility of schools to ensure that students are provided with a safe and welcoming environment. Such an environment can be created by building trust, creating awareness, and following defined processes to manage various scenarios. These can be supported by technology.

The students as well as the staff should be aware and sensitive to the behavior expected of them. School safety and security policies are as important as the education that is being imparted to the students. Where necessary counseling services should be accessible to support the mental health of everyone in the school.

CBSE has also issued several circulars on safety and security at schools. It has laid down briefs on structural safety, safety management, safety from constructional hazards, safety measures during natural disasters, and how to ensure student’s safety at school.

Awareness and Sensitization

The school administrators, teachers, and students should be sensitized to create and maintain a safe and secure environment. They should be able to self-monitor and take corrective action as and when required. While technology can support smooth processes, sensitive administrators, teachers, and students will create the right environment.

Schools should follow the PPRR i.e. prevention, preparedness, response, and recovery model of risk management. This model will help the school administration to be vigilant in matters pertaining to a student’s safety.

Psycho-social Safety

All the schools have CCTV cameras installed for ensuring safety and security. Emotional or psychosocial maltreatment hampers a child’s sense of personal safety and security. Schools should focus on providing the right ambience to nurture and develop a child.

Safety in school transportation

As per CBSE guidelines, it is mandatory for schools to install GPS systems to ensure the safety of students in school transport. This too can enable schools to provide updates to parents about their children’s whereabouts. However, this is something that must be monitored regularly to check whether the drivers are sticking to their prescribed routes and following traffic rules. Any violation of speed limits or variance in routes should be investigated, resolved, and documented. Additionally, there should be a defined escalation matrix to address these violations.

Monitor Activities at School

Prudence should be applied in selecting activities in the school premises for monitoring. An understanding of the at-risk areas and creating a system to mitigate those risks can help in preventing unauthorized activity without creating an oppressive big brother environment.

Restrict Entry

Restricted access areas should be clearly defined and access should be managed both by architectural design and technology.

Additional measures that can augment the system are:

Establish clear safety and security policies.
Assessing school processes from time to time.
The document, investigate and report to relevant personnel any suspicious incident at school
Mandatory carrying of ID cards.
Training on safety and security.
Install a central security system.
Issue access cards to restricted areas.

Security Personnel in Entrances and Exits

This is the first thing that we notice – the security personnel. Every effort must be made to prevent the school from turning into a heavily policed school. It is only then can one establish trust in the institution and its people. However, there are certain checkpoints that require the physical presence of security, particularly the entrance and exits. Also areas of restricted access where trespassers may be at risk of injury.

ID cards

An identity card can carry much more information. “Smart-ID Cards,” with in-built sensors can be leveraged with technology to keep parents informed of their children’s whereabouts.

Physical Safety of students

It is important to keep the school premises safe and secure for all the students. The school building built should ensure the ’Life Safety’ of students and should be resilient to all kinds of hazards. School administration, teachers, and students should be well aware and prepared to respond to any kind of disaster or threat.