)
There are 1.47 million schools and almost 250 million students in India.
With the world's fastest growing economy, 65% of the population under 35 years old and enrolment in schools increasing by more than 6.5 million students in the past five years, India is a dynamic and challenging place in which to deliver an education system.
ARISE is an association which is serving as a beacon of change within India's school education system. They are committed to developing an inclusive, innovative and inspiring educational ecosystem across their country, so it was an honour to be part of their recent insight gathering UK tour.
35 delegates joined us for the morning and, as we discovered, between them they had an incredible range of experience across the education system and beyond.
With educators, entrepreneurs, edupreneurs, school leaders and experts in the room it quickly became clear what a pioneering group they were - exactly the kind of people you'd expect to be collectively managing more than 800 schools across India.
The aim of the visit was, according to ARISE President. Mr, Praveen Raju 'to understand what makes Bedales the remarkable and forward-thinking school that it is, and how it continues to stay relevant through change'. They were keen to interact with staff and students, to gain a holistic view of the Bedales offering.
We shared insights, discussed educational innovations including the Bedales Assessed Courses, school history and shared our usual Friday fish and chips lunch with the visitors. They toured the library and heard from Head Will about Bedales’ historic connection with Bengali poet, experimental school founder and Nobel Prize winner, Rabindranath Tagore and the poem he wrote whilst he visited Bedales in 1920.
Being able to share our ethos and ways of working has made Bedales part of ARISE's collective journey towards re-inventing school education in India, and it has also been enlightening to hear their delegates’ opinions, experiences and challenges.
ARISE’s UK visit is part of their ongoing effort to engage with some of the world’s most established and forward-thinking education systems, particularly those that are reimagining how learning should work in a changing world.
The delegation is interested in models that remain future-ready while balancing autonomy with accountability, evolve curriculum and certification without weakening governance, and embed sustainability and wellbeing into everyday school life, all areas in which Bedales offers a compelling and distinctive example.
ARISE aims to consistently bring together India’s leading educationalists, school promoters, and policymakers to engage with some of the world’s most innovative educational ecosystems. These initiatives bring direct exposure to cutting-edge pedagogical practices, technological advancements, and policy innovations fostering global collaboration and shaping a future-ready education system in India.
Great to be part of that journey - and we look forward to staying in touch with our new ARISE friends.
You can find out more about ARISE HERE.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)