Harsh Kapadia

Trustee, HB Kapadia Group of Schools, Ahmedabad

Where would you place education on your national list of priorities?
“Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world,” said Nelson Mandela famously. I fully agree.

How best to upgrade government schools?
One way is to make digital content freely available to government school students in vernacular languages. Promote public-private partnerships in public education.

Thinker/philosopher you admire the most.
Jean Piaget for his theory of constructivism; Lev Vygotsky for his emphasis on social interaction, and Dr. Howard Gardner for his belief that all children are equipped with multiple intelligences.

Your favourite Nobel laureate
Mother St. Teresa.

Your leadership style.
Shared leadership under which everyone is well-informed and everyone’s opinion is heard.

Your favourite book on education.
Creative Schools: The Grassroots Revolution That’s Transforming Education by Sir Ken Robinson & Lou Aronica.

For or against the RTE Act’s 25 percent reservation for underprivileged children in private schools?
For. The underprivileged deserve equal opportunity for good education.

Should education outlay be doubled by cutting defence expenditure?
No. There’s enough government spending on education. What we need is greater expenditure efficiency.

How satisfied are you with the growth and development of the HB Kapadia Group of schools?
Our schools are future-ready, 21st-century institutions which offer personalised education.

Pessimistic or optimistic about the future of education in India?
Optimistic.

Also read: 33 Young Rising Stars of Indian Education