Ekya Schools, an online learning platform preparing students for future challenges and equipping them with skills and knowledge to thrive in a rapidly changing world, celebrated a significant milestone in K-12 education with the launching of Ekya Nava – Asia-EMEA’s inaugural K-12 Maker School of Innovation, Creativity, and Design. This groundbreaking venture promises to transform India’s educational landscape from traditional rote learning to a purpose-driven academic approach.
Ekya Nava is a beacon for the ‘Maker Movement’ in India, poised to cultivate the upcoming generation of thinkers, innovators, and technology-forward entrepreneurs. The platform introduces a purpose-driven learning approach that transcends typical Indian academic paradigms. It’s enriched by four key pathways: Design, Making, Entrepreneurship & Innovation, and Information Technology and society. It encourages students to transcend traditional classroom confines, immersing themselves in varied, real-world scenarios to foster enduring adaptability and growth.
While applauding Ekya Schools’ effort to go above and beyond by offering Ekya Nava, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, Honourable Minister of State for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship and Electronics & Information Technology, Government of India, and Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha stated:
India is at an inflexion point, the opportunities in front of young India are infinite and the power to realize this potential truly lies in the education of our youth and the skills they acquire.
Adding a fresh dimension to the landscape of education, A first-of-its-kind book developed for educators, delivering essential real-world experiences and practical insights, was revealed during the inaugural Ekya FIND Festival 2023, titled “Creating Extraordinary Educators: A Teacher’s Roadmap to Becoming Extraordinary”. This book is authored by Ekya educators and compiled by Ekya School’s Professional Development Institute, with Dr. Tristha Ramamurthy, Founder of Ekya Schools, being the guiding force behind this project.
Along with Rajeev Chandrasekhar, other esteemed attendees were Dr K. P. Gopalkrishna, Founder and Chairman of National Public Schools; Dr. A. S. Kiran Kumar, ex-Chairman of ISRO and Chairperson of the Vikram Sarabhai Space Centre; Dr K. C. Ramamurthy (IPS, Rtd), Chairman, CMR Group and Former Member of Parliament, Rajya Sabha; Dr. Sabitha Ramamurthy, President of CMR Jnanadhara Trust and Chancellor of CMR University; Shri. K. R. Jayadeep, Director of Ekya Schools and CEO of CMR Group of Institutions; and Dr. Tristha Ramamurthy, Founder of Ekya Schools.
Dr. Tristha, Founder of Ekya Schools, emphasized the need for an education that enables students with flexible skills to prosper in an ever-changing world at the ceremonial launch of Ekya Nava. She stated:
Ekya NAVA is more than a school – it’s a mindset, a path to a different kind of education. Backed by global advisors, we’re not here to teach. We’re here to awaken the fire within each student. Our curriculum is not the usual playbook; it is a dynamic journey that uncovers passions, unleashes purpose, and propels learning beyond expectations. As an advocate for progressive education, we’re on a mission to foster a cohort of dynamic, visionary individuals set to leave a profound mark on the world.
Highlighting the pivotal role of innovation in education, Chandrasekhar remarked, “The emphasis on reimagining extraordinary education is critical to realizing the possibilities and opportunities that we have in the next 5-10 years. I heartily congratulate team Ekya Nava for thinking beyond their imagination. This pioneering initiative will empower students to explore their unique callings, reshaping traditional education norms.
Beyond the primary curriculum, Ekya Nava schools help develop transferable life skills such as problem-solving, creative imagination, cooperation, and confidence through experimentation and play. It educates children about a rapidly changing world by providing them with the skills and resilience needed to make meaningful observations and contributions for themselves, their families, and the world through their work and ideas.
Ekya Schools is a community of learners, educators, thinkers, doers, and change makers. The school was founded with one goal in mind: to teach students not just what to learn but also how to learn by drawing on the tradition of the CMR Group of Institutions and new methods of learning from school systems throughout the world. At Ekya, students are at the heart of everything it does. The school’s learning paths and curriculum incorporate international standards and research-based pedagogy. The startup believes in this approach because it fosters a profound passion for learning and clarity in students’ conceptual understanding, equipping them with real-world skills.
