Alka Sharma, Managing director, Central Public Sr. Sec. School & Rockwoods High School, Udaipur 

Where would you place education on your national list of priorities?
It is a basic requirement for the growth of any nation’s economy. It should be placed at the top on a par with defence and agriculture.

How best to upgrade government schools?
Government schools have the best land and infrastructure and handsomely paid staff. But they lack integrity and accountability.

Thinker/philosopher you admire the most.
Swami Vivekanand. His book Rajyog deserves special mention because it teaches how to attain the highest level of peace.

Your favourite Nobel laureate.
Albert Einstein who said: “I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious.”

Your leadership style.
I believe in leading from the front in a blended style of participative relationship and leadership.

Your favourite book on education. 
Shrimadh Bhagwat. Every single teaching in it has some direct, indirect and hidden learning.

For or against the RTE Act’s 25 percent reservation for underprivileged children in private schools?
With a few amendments and proper execution, the RTE Act can become a very powerful tool for eradication of illiteracy.

Also read: Why the RTE act should be scrapped

Should the education outlay be doubled by cutting defence expenditure?
The government is already spending sufficiently for education. Attitudes of educators, teachers and parents need to change to improve and transform Indian education.

How satisfied are you with the growth and development of Central Public and Rockwoods schools?
It fills me with immense satisfaction that students and staff in all our three schools are growing in all dimensions — physical, mental and spiritual.

Pessimistic or optimistic about the future of education in India? 
Very optimistic. The government is making a good effort and many think tanks and super minds are also contributing towards development of education institutions countrywide.