The Cover Story of September is an ode to Teacher’s Day. Pratima Tripathi, is like a shining light who is focussed on all round development of children.
WS: Your journey from establishing KIDZEE to Mount Litera Zee School has been remarkable. What inspired you to enter the field of education, and how did you envision shaping young minds?
PT: When I started thinking about my career, I wanted to do something creative. Opening a preschool came to mind because there weren’t many schools with structured curriculums or proper guidelines in our city. After meeting with the Zee Group and learning about their child-centered approach, I knew I wanted to bring KIDZEE to the children of Lucknow, creating a place where parents could confidently send their children without fear.
In addition to the KIDZEE curriculum, we combined education with ethics and culture. The younger the child, the easier it is to shape their values. Recognizing the importance of mental health, we introduced a child psychologist to our school as early as 2004, which was quite challenging at that time since many parents didn’t fully understand its significance.
WS: As an educationist with numerous accolades, what has been your greatest challenge in maintaining excellence across your institutions, and how did you overcome it?
PT: As we know, to shine like the sun, one must endure the heat. Inspired by this, I created my personal philosophy called DEPTH:
• Dedication
• Empathy
• Patience
• Teamwork
• Honesty
I’ve relied on these values throughout my 21-year journey, despite numerous challenges such as staff turnover, introducing new innovations, and adapting to changes in education techniques. However, the biggest challenge we faced was during the COVID-19 pandemic.
While parents of older children could adapt to online teaching, convincing parents of younger children (aged 2-4) was much harder. Additionally, keeping such young kids focused on a screen was difficult. Thanks to my hardworking team, we launched our sessions without delay, proving that learning never stops at KIDZEE and MLZS.
WS: You’ve been involved with many charitable organizations and NGOs. Could you share how your philanthropic work has influenced your approach to education?
PT: My philanthropic work has deeply shaped my approach to education. Each time I engage in charity, I wonder why charity is even needed in the first place. The root cause is the lack of education and skills—if everyone were educated and skilled, charity wouldn’t be necessary.
Gratitude is another value I cherish. I teach my students the importance of being thankful. Since our very first Founder’s Day, we’ve celebrated Charity Week, where we share food, clothing, and other essentials with the less fortunate. On Friendship Day, our students visit orphanages, play with children, and share their toys in an initiative called Share the Happiness. On World Book Day, we distribute books to those in need, and for International Labour Day, our students make cards and gift packs for the school’s support staff. These values were instilled in me by my parents, and I’m proud to pass them on.
WS: What role do you believe inclusivity and empathy play in creating a positive learning environment for students? How do you instill these values in your schools?
PT: Inclusion is key to fostering a healthy learning environment. I believe that every child deserves equal opportunities, regardless of their physical or financial circumstances. Over the years, we’ve had many physically and mentally challenged children in our school, and we’ve always ensured they participate in all activities. For instance, we had a child who used crutches, and we made sure she could still participate in our Annual Concert by allowing her to perform while seated. We even built a ramp to ensure one of our physically challenged students could move around without discomfort. Our goal is for all children to be included, not just the best ones.
WS: With a wide array of awards and recognition, which achievement do you hold closest to your heart and why?
PT: I’ve been fortunate to receive many rewards, but the greatest gift was during our 20th anniversary of Kidzee preschool. We hosted an alumni meet, and to our surprise, over 800 former students and many ex-teachers attended. Seeing these once little children, now grown up, touching my feet, taking selfies, reconnecting with friends, and sharing their experiences on stage was a dream come true. This event was a unique achievement for a preschool, and it felt like the biggest award I could ever receive.
WS: In your opinion, what are the most crucial skills today’s educators need to equip students for the rapidly evolving world?
PT: In today’s fast-changing world, children should focus on Learning, Unlearning, and Relearning, all while staying happy and content. No matter how much you achieve, if you aren’t happy or satisfied, it’s all in vain. Happiness and satisfaction are key because every other skill can be taught, but personal fulfillment is irreplaceable.
WS: What advice would you give to young women who aspire to become leaders in the educational sector? How can they balance professional success with personal values like DEPTH?
PT: Nowadays, many women are pursuing various career paths, but opening a school and becoming an educator is not an easy journey. Managing parents, staff, children, and navigating government policies all present unique challenges. In the midst of all this, maintaining personal values is the hardest part. My philosophy of DEPTH encourages going deep into the grassroots level and staying consistent, which is essential for success in this field.
-Team WS
