In the fast-paced, hyper-competitive world we live in today, where success is often measured by grades, exams, and rankings, it's easy to forget that education is not just about competition—it’s about growth, learning, and becoming well-rounded individuals. Over the past 10 days, we had the privilege of visiting schools across India, each one integrating global best practices learned from the Cambridge Education Lab’s (CEL) international programmes in Finland, Estonia, and Cambridge. The experience was not just about observing innovative educational practices, but about seeing firsthand how schools are transforming the way they nurture their students—helping them find their own purpose, build entrepreneurial mindsets, and prepare for a future where collaboration and compassion matter just as much as competition.
MSR Central School and MSR Kidz School: Pioneering Holistic Development
Our journey began in Suryapet, Telangana, where we visited MSR Central School and MSR Kidz School, which have adopted a holistic, innovative approach inspired by CEL’s Finland and Estonia programmes. These schools focus on nurturing creativity and emotional intelligence, empowering students to develop critical life skills beyond academic performance. At MSR Central, the absence of traditional grading systems allows students to learn at their own pace, emphasizing holistic development over competition.
Mr. Srinivas Kollu, the founder, shared how these schools use frugal innovation—encouraging students to come up with practical, low-cost solutions to real-world problems. The schools also prioritize hands-on learning through well-equipped labs and physical education, underscoring the Finnish belief in balancing academic rigor with student well-being. It was heartening to see how these students were not just learning facts but developing the confidence to become problem-solvers, ready to tackle societal challenges.
GD Goenka School, Hyderabad: Building Entrepreneurial Mindsets
In Hyderabad, we visited GD Goenka School, where Suyash delivered a session on building entrepreneurial mindsets. The school embraces project-based learning, which encourages students to collaborate, think critically, and approach problems with creativity—echoing the Finnish approach to education. The students were enthusiastic, and it was inspiring to see them already thinking beyond traditional career paths, eager to create their own opportunities.
The session with the students reaffirmed the importance of fostering entrepreneurial thinking from an early age. The school’s focus on innovative learning methods and holistic development will undoubtedly equip these young minds with the skills they need to succeed in an ever-changing world.
Paramita Group of Schools: Innovating Education with Open-Book Exams
One of the most thought-provoking conversations during this tour was with Mr. E. Prasad Rao, Chairman of the Paramita Group of Schools, which serves over 5000 students. Mr. Rao spoke about the challenges of staff attrition and the need for a more effective, supportive school management culture. He also shared his school’s efforts to innovate by piloting an open-book examination system, inspired by the Cambridge programme. This new approach focuses on critical thinking and problem-solving, rather than rote memorization, encouraging students to engage deeply with the subject matter.
Mr. Rao also emphasized the importance of fostering collaboration among teachers and lowering the burden on them so they can focus on what matters most: teaching. The conversations here reinforced the idea that educational reforms should not just focus on students but also on supporting teachers in their professional development and well-being.
Priyadarshani School, Pune: Personalized and Holistic Learning
Next, we visited Priyadarshani School in Pune, which has integrated best practices from both Finland and Cambridge. The school is known for its warm, personalized approach to learning, where students are encouraged to develop emotional intelligence and empathy. Mr. Vinay, the Executive Head, shared how his observation of Finnish schools inspired him to foster a supportive, cordial student-teacher relationship at Priyadarshani.
The school’s focus on individualised learning, ensuring that every child’s unique abilities are recognised and nurtured, reflects values from global education systems that are highly rated. This approach, coupled with the introduction of digital labs for subjects like Physics, is helping students engage deeply with their studies, building both academic and practical skills. It was exciting to see how Priyadarshani is creating a learning environment where students are empowered to chart their own path, confident in their abilities and supported by their teachers.
FUEL: Empowering Students for a Brighter Future
Scoring well in board exams might bring accolades, but without the right knowledge infrastructure, success can feel elusive. It’s often not the grades that set students back, but a lack of guidance and awareness about opportunities beyond school. FUEL (Friends Union for Energising Lives) was created to fill this gap, ensuring that students, particularly from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities, don't miss out on lucrative opportunities due to information overload during exam preparation.
Founded by Ketan Deshpande, FUEL was born from Ketan’s own experience of missing out on competitive exams and scholarships because he and his friends didn’t know about crucial deadlines. To address this, FUEL offers a comprehensive support system combining career coaching, scholarship opportunities, and internships—helping students build not just skills, but also confidence. The program focuses on mentored goal-casting, guiding students through their academic and career paths.
We visited FUEL to meet with Ketan Deshpande and Santosh Huralikoppi, exploring opportunities for collaboration. During the visit, Suyash engaged with students, sharing insights on entrepreneurial skills and mindset development. What stood out was FUEL’s commitment to guiding students in their academic and professional journeys, offering a sense of belonging and a clear path forward.
We are excited to watch FUEL’s continued impact on shaping future leaders.
The Milestone Senior Secondary School, Kaithal: A World of Positive Energy
At The Milestone Senior Secondary School in Kaithal, Haryana, we were introduced to a unique school culture focused on mental well-being and positive energy. The school begins each day with meditation, and teachers present a short talk on various topics, from subject matter to general knowledge. This practice promotes a balanced, well-rounded approach to learning and supports the mental and emotional health of both students and staff.
Milestone has also fostered a Reading Club, where students write their own books, promoting creativity and self-expression. The school’s emphasis on empathy, both in academic and social contexts, ensures that students not only excel in their studies but also develop important life skills such as leadership, collaboration, and compassion.
The Swadhaa School, Pune: Nurturing the Soul of Education
One of the most profound visits on this tour was to The Swadhaa School in Pune, a school modeled on the Waldorf Steiner philosophy of education. Swadhaa is unique in its approach, focusing not just on academic excellence but on the emotional and spiritual development of children. The school’s guiding principle is to nurture the mind, body, and soul of each child, allowing them to learn at their own pace, without the pressures of a competitive system.
At Swadhaa, teachers are encouraged to focus on their own personal growth to inspire their students authentically. The school fosters a love for culture and nature, teaching students to respect diversity and connect with the environment around them. The holistic approach at Swadhaa was a stark contrast to the typical, result-driven education system, and it was inspiring to see how this model empowers students to grow not just as learners, but as compassionate, responsible individuals.
DCM School Punjab, Ludhiana: Instill Creativity and Inspire Innovation
During his recent visit to DCM Young Entrepreneurs School in Ludhiana, Punjab, our founder, Mr. Suyash Bhatt, was amazed by the sight of 13-year-olds confidently discussing business ideas and entrepreneurial concepts. This extraordinary institution incorporates entrepreneurship into its curriculum from Kindergarten through senior secondary, giving students the tools to explore their individuality and understand their role in the world.
Suyash had the privilege of engaging with students from grade 8 and was inspired by their creativity, enthusiasm, and determination to bring ideas to life. Their passion for innovation mirrors the approaches of progressive education systems like those in Estonia and Finland, where entrepreneurship, critical thinking, and problem-solving are integrated early in the learning process.
We’re proud to see our school leadership programme helping nurture this same spirit, fostering a culture of innovation, and shaping the leaders of tomorrow. The future is bright when young minds are empowered to think outside the box.
The Future of Education is Holistic, Collaborative, and Compassionate
The CEL Impact Tour was an eye-opening journey through schools that are redefining what it means to educate the next generation. From entrepreneurial thinking to emotional intelligence and holistic development, these schools are teaching us that education is not just about grades—it’s about preparing students to thrive in a dynamic, interconnected world. The innovative practices I witnessed at each school—whether inspired by Finnish, Estonian, or Cambridge models—demonstrate that the future of education lies in collaboration, compassion, and a deep understanding of what it truly means to learn.
The schools we visited are proof that with the right support, students can grow into confident, resilient individuals who are not just prepared for exams, but for life. As we continue to challenge outdated norms and embrace new possibilities, we are excited to see how these schools, and the students they nurture, will shape the future of education.