Mr.Vedant Khaitan-Charperson,Khaitan Preschool

Vedant Khaitan is associated with the education industry for more than 12 years. He is the Vice Chairman of Khaitan School (TKS) and Managing Director of Khaitan Pre-School. The Khaitan School currently caters to over 3800 enrolled students, over 1400 alumni and 200+ full time teachers and staff members.

Focusing on strengthening their technology frame work, curriculum and building a leadership team that will drive growth and innovation. The Khaitan School conducts age appropriate assessments that are continuous and comprehensive. Having no international exchange program at the moment, the school has plans concerning the same and the upshots are to be seen post pandemic.

 FOUNDER

After doing bachelors in Science and Engineering, Mechanical Engineering from University of Michigan (Ann Arbor, USA), he established the Khaitan School later in 1995. He is a firm believer of achieving long-lasting success through harnessing new technologies. Up-skilling, formation of strong leadership team, efficacious and precise processes, and technology deployment are the 4 pillars bracing a developing organisation. He was instrumental in devising the Gautam Budh Nagar episode of the ‘Independent School Federation of India’ and continues to be an active member in the same. He chairs the North Committee for FICCI ARISE and is concerned with it ever-since its formation as a Co-founder.

LIFE INSPIRATION

Vedant draws inspiration from different experiences with different people in different moments. The guidance of his parents and older brother are a constant source of inspiration. Playing western classical music for 30 years and more, piano, his instrument is another inspiration fount to him, which sustains him through divinity. His guru’s throughout life odyssey have heavily influenced and inspired him; school teacher (Mrs. Anuradha Handa), music teacher (Mr. Justin McCarthy), uncle (Mr. Kunal Thirani) who taught him the business know-how and lastly his business guru (Mr. Rahul Jain).

BUSINESS INNOVATIONS

Lacking their own learning management system TKS continues using Google suite and campus care. Embracing Google-Suite platform with a full-fledged ERP, helped reduce man power and technology costs along with curbing time-consuming processes for teachers. Progressive thinking simplified their online teaching environment during lockdown. The self developed learning Management system- KOSMOS, is being developed at swift rate, which will be subsumed shortly.

FRAMEWORK USED FOR TEACHERS & APPRAISAL

Classroom observation to spot areas of improvement in classroom teaching to boost teachers’ skills is conducted. Each new teacher is observed formally every quarter and other teachers once a term. New staff members are mentored and trained on a continuous basis monthly for skill enhancement. Teachers are trained 70 Hours (Senior) and 120 hours (Primary) yearly on distinct topics.

360⁰ feedback from all the stakeholders including subject experts and students is taken account of for teachers’ appraisal. At the end of every academic year, appraisal through ACR, an Annual appraisal system is carried out for all staff members.

ASSESSMENT

Continuous and comprehensive assessment is implemented for primary students throughout the year as a combination of formative, summative and review cycles. The role of assessment is not performance based but to effectuate progress in learning.

For Middle & Secondary level, the scholastic domain includes- 20% Formative assessment (Periodic assessment, Portfolio, Subject Enrichment activities), and 80% Summative Assessment (It includes pen paper test at the end of each term in September and in March)

While Senior Secondary follows- 10% Formative assessment (Block Test and Worksheets), and 90% Summative Assessment (Half yearly and Annual Examination)

TEACHING AIDS

Virtual platforms like Google Meet, Zoom, Google classroom alongside virtual tools such as Padlet, Word Wall, Quizziz, etc. and presentation tools (Google slides, PowerPoint) to boot are of major use in today’s virtual learning mode. Google forms, Kahoot are used for online assessments with taking complete benefit of educational resources like, BBC and National Geographic documentaries, Khan Academy resources, and YouTube videos.

Increasing number of students participate and many have excelled in standardised tests/national entrance exams such as JEE, NEET, myriad Olympiads, etc.

LUCRATIVE FACILITIES

v  ACADEMIC

The liaison of Khaitan School and OneUp book studio and learning lab aims to gather age-appropriate books of different genres for the junior library. In the junior wing, class libraries are installed for each class to comprise alluring reading corners.

With 98 ICT enabled classrooms and 68 smart boards, the school also has 3 libraries, 24133 print titles, 59 journal and newspaper subscriptions, and19 labs throughout school. Two air conditioned infirmaries with 19-beds are available to all students with separate sections for boys and girls, equipped by 2 qualified Doctors and 2 Nurses. A special isolation room with latest apparatus like oximeters, oxygen cylinders, etc. is set up.

v  SPORTS

In collaboration with Sportzvillage, the school provides a structured sports programme for Junior classes. 25 full time coaches each specialized in one particular sport.

A large play field is provided with facilities such as 200 metres track to conduct track events and pitches for field events, along with a separate basketball court and two tennis courts. Two large outdoor play areas with rubberized flooring for Pre-Primary and Primary students. A Half Olympic Size Swimming Pool, with qualified coaches and lifeguards and a splash pool with water fountains for Pre-Primary and Classes I and II. Two skating rinks are forged separately for Senior students and small children respectively. Air-conditioned Gym has been set up with air-conditioned changing rooms consisting lockers. 9-lane shooting range (10 meters) equipped with imported and Indian guns are offered for children trained by a national level shooting coach. Yoga and meditation classes promote a good health regime. A toy train and an indoor free-play air-conditioned activity hall of (3,500sq.ft.) are provided Nursery to Class II students.

CO-CURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

With 27 full time co-curricular teachers, the school facilitates 21 student interest clubs that include Mathletes (Mathematics Club), Mighty Chondria (Science Club), Eco Warriors (Sustainable Development Club), Mindbenders (Quiz Club), Creative Crew (Art and Sculpture), Chef-O-Mania, Zari Karigari (Embroidery & Knitting Club), O Henry Club (Literary Club), Rangmanch-Dramatics, Opinionators (Debating Club), Dharohar (Heritage Club / Itihaas), Ritu Rang ( Music and dance clubs), Photography, Robotics, etc.

Primary wing includes hobby or life skills programmes like Best Out of Waste, Fun with Technology, Crafty Craft, Tile Painting, Crochet, Instrumental Music, Gardening, Aerobics, Taekwondo, Stone Art, Digital Art, and many more.

STUDENT SUPPORT

Students of classes III-XII, experiencing difficulty in studies are shortlisted and offered weekly 1-hour remedial education sessions for each subject with a 10:1 student-teacher ratio. A study circle class is regularly conducted that acts as a doubt clearing session to bridge the learning on a one-to-one basis. If a student is observed struggling with studies despite remedial support, the coordinator and counsellor are reported, who meet their parents to seek a psychometric evaluation for their child. Students with disparate needs are closely monitored by counsellors, who boost their morale with regular counselling.

CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY

Working under the legal structure ‘Society’, CSR does not apply from a statutory compliance perspective. However, Mr. Khaitan’s family donates to several charities and needy people for they believe in supporting the less fortunate ones. They established Radico Welfare Centre in Okhla, a school for slum children providing food, clothing and education at extremely low prices.

GOOD CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

They follow a 3-step process for auditing to ensure governance. ‘Process Coordinators’ assure no halts in work and escalate issues to the concerned people in case of such situation. A Half-Yearly Internal Audit is conducted by outsourced CA firm, confirming the adherence to all policies and SOP’s. Any non-conformances recorded are discussed with concerned person(s) and needful measures are followed to prevent similar future reoccurrences. Next, external statutory audit (in accordance with Government requirements) for filing of audited Annual Returns ensure abidance to Government rules and regulations.

STROKE OF GENIUS

In 2017, when multiple schools in Gautam Budh Nagar were facing struggles due to some external factors, it became salient for schools to come together. Together with some like-minded school owners, Mr.Khaitan outreached to promoters from prominent schools in GB Nagar, forming the Independent Schools Federation of India. He finds this as a true achievement. Schools that were shattered earlier are now backed up with Promoters/Directors of 30+ prominent schools on a common platform, able interact, exchange ideas and discuss usual issues at times.

AWARDS WON BY KHAITAN PRESCHOOL:

·               ‘Best Pre-School of the Year ’ by National School Awards August 2018

·               ‘School Excellence Award’ by Brainfeed Magazine, 2017

·               1^st  Best Pre-School Noida, by Education Today Magazine, December 2019

·               3^rd Best Proprietary Pre- School in Noida, by Education World Magazine, December 2018

·               1^st in Parental Involvement by Education World Magazine, December 2017

·               3^rd Best Proprietary Pre- School in Noida by Education World Magazine, December 2017

·               Amongst 3 Best Montessori schools of Ghaziabad ,U.P. by Three Best Rated, October 2017

·               13^th in India, 2^nd  in U.P. and 2^nd in Noida, by Education Today  Magazine, December 2017

AWARDS WON BY THE KHAITAN SCHOOL:

·         Consistently ranked amongst the top schools of Noida for years, the school was recently ranked 2^nd in Noida, by the Times of India, Times Education Survey 2020.

·         Education World magazine ranked the school in top 100 schools of the country.

·         For bringing Top Quality in Education under the Category “Jury Choice Award (CBSE Schools)”, The Khaitan School was honoured with Award for being Uttar Pradesh’s Top CBSE School (September 2018).

·         National School Awards 2018 was felicitated to Khaitan School, Noida under 4 categories i.e. Prominent School in Sport, School with Hi-Tech Security, Most Advanced Medical Facilities, and Pre School of the Year.

FUTURE VISION ANTICIPATING GROWTH

They stand patent on their vision of influencing the lives of children who have right to quality education at nominal cost. He believes education need not be expensive for one to equip skills required to succeed in the 21^st Century.

With TKS’s robust brand presence in Noida and Greater Noida, they aspire to establish more eminent institutions at affordable price in various UP cities, in the time to come.