When dealing with 21st century learners, we must remember that capturing and holding their attention is quite a task. We cannot teach our students the same way as we were taught. To encourage them to learn and to foster their curiosity, we must expose them to learning by doing. We at Manav Rachna International School, Mohali have adopted a practical approach to teaching and learning. Our Soft Skills Development Program has been so designed that it helps the learners through a combination of technology, curriculum, and activities. It encompasses a wide range of themes like communication, interpersonal skills, attitude building, social skills, time management, responsibility, self-confidence, self-awareness, self-control, self-management, problem solving, critical thinking, negotiation, cooperation, collaboration, and teamwork, etc.

We at MRIS Mohali believe in what Benjamin Franklin once said, “Tell me and I forget, Teach me and I may remember. Involve me and I learn”. Therefore, we engage our learners and involve them in hands-on activities that promote experiential learning. We let them indulge in student-driven activities such as conversational prompts, group discussions, debates, role plays and research work. These activities build confidence in the learners and promote their self-esteem. We try to instill professionalism in the classroom by allowing the children to set clear goals and expectations. Excursions and Edu trips are organized for the students to let them explore more and have first-hand information and experience of the concepts delivered during the sessions. To give a real life shape to their learning, the students take up a number of projects. For instance, if they are educated and trained on Pet Safety, the students adopt or bring their pets and observe behavioral changes in the pets under different, but controlled situations. We introduce students to SWOT Analysis so that they know their Strengths, Weakness, Opportunities and Threats and thus become more self-aware and ready to face the world. In order to assess the progress and development of problem solving skills and critical thinking in the students, they are given numerous case studies enlisted with problems related to peer-pressure, behavior, stressful student life, and personality and prestige issues.

Our Program thus strives to fulfil the aim to create and nurture 21st century learners through an amalgamation of various strategies that promote and cater to the learners’ interests, needs and requirements.