The Importance of Adopting a Holistic Approach to Education

In today’s fast-paced world, traditional educational institutions often focus solely on academic excellence, ignoring the child's overall development. However, educators and policymakers are gradually recognizing the need for a more holistic approach to education as it contributes to developing young minds into well-rounded, responsible, and mature citizens of tomorrow. This article explores why schools must adopt a holistic approach to education.

Also Read | What do we mean by Holistic Education and its benefits?

The Rise of Holistic Education in India

In India, education has often been associated with academic advancement and rote learning. The severely competitive exams are fine proof of this. However, rote learning has given way to concept development, and academic excellence to overall growth and development in the form of a holistic approach to education. 

Read More | Rote Learning vs. Concept Development: Which is the Way to Go?

As we step into the 21st century, the education system has undergone a massive transformation. The shift to holistic education has been driven by several factors such as:

• Global Trends: There has been widespread international recognition of the importance of holistic education to prepare students for the challenges of the 21st century. India, too, has acknowledged that hopping on to this approach is necessary if the country is to be recognized and meet the demands of the global stage.
• Changing Parental Expectations: Gone are the days when parents were just concerned about the marks scored by their children. Parents, now, recognize that education is way beyond just securing good marks. They realize that catering to the child’s growth and development is necessary in inculcating critical life skills and this is reflected in their hunt for schools as well.
• Educational Research: Several researchers have highlighted that academic excellence alone cannot guarantee success in the future. Rather, children must understand crucial concepts, be they based on textbook theories or dictums of life. Moreover, having a holistic approach to education is also proven to contribute to the overall well-being of students.
• Government Initiatives: Over time, the government has launched several policies to draw attention to the holistic approach to education. These policies and initiatives emphasize the importance of learner-based learning strategies. Examples of such initiatives are the National Curriculum Framework (NCF) and the National Education Policy (NEP).

What Makes Holistic Education so Crucial?

We are all aware that holistic education refers to the overall development of students. It caters to them in a way that facilitates their mental, physical, emotional, and social growth. 

Read More | Emphasis on Academics and Activities for All-Round Development

Here we elaborate more on why it is crucial for children to be exposed to holistic education.

• Meets Diverse Needs of Learners: Children have different learning needs as per their age and grasping power. Holistic education is capable of meeting such diverse needs, catering also to children with learning disabilities. Holistic learning makes education an individualized process as it makes sure that personalized attention is bestowed on every student.
• Incorporates Mental Wellbeing: Mental well-being has emerged as a crucial cause of concern in society today. A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), found that approximately 1 in 5 children in the United States has a diagnosable mental, emotional, or behavioral disorder. Holistic education brings the incorporation of mental well-being into the school curriculum, thus supporting students while also contributing to stress-free learning outcomes.
• Promoting Physical Wellbeing: Physical well-being often goes unnoticed as almost everything nowadays gets done with very little physical effort. As a result of this, obesity in children has seen a tremendous rise, with almost 19% of children and teenagers in the U.S. being obese. Holistic education incorporates physical education, sports, and health education into the curriculum, thus emphasizing the importance of physical activity, nutrition education, and overall well-being.
• Paves the Way for Future Workforce: Success requires more than academic excellence- exactly what holistic education caters to. Holistic learning helps children acquire skills and knowledge that play a crucial role in facing the challenges of life. Further, skills such as critical thinking, creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork prepare students to meet the demands of the future workforce.
• Cultivates Global Citizenship: Holistic education fosters an appreciation for diversity, equity, and inclusion, preparing students to become responsible global citizens. In this rapidly developing and globalizing world, possessing global awareness and cultural competency has grown to be of extreme importance. By imbibing these in students, holistic education empowers them to be responsible citizens of tomorrow.

Jain International Residential School: Academic Excellence via Holistic Education

Jain International Residential School (JIRS) in Bengaluru, India, stands out as a beacon of academic excellence and holistic development. With a sprawling 350-acre campus, it offers a rich educational experience blending CBSE, IB, and Cambridge curricula from Class IV to XII. What sets JIRS apart is its diverse student body, with 15% representing 25 countries, fostering a truly global learning environment.

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JIRS boasts a stellar track record, achieving 100% examination results and providing on-campus training for competitive exams like IIT-JEE, SAT, CLAT, and NEET. The school's affiliation with the National Accreditation Board for Education and Training (NABET) underscores its commitment to quality education, while its ISO 9001.2008 certification attests to its adherence to international standards.

The school's emphasis on holistic development extends to sports, with over 20 facilities supervised by 36 national and international coaches. From cricket to swimming, JIRS offers top-notch training and even facilitates sports exchange programs with international teams. Notably, the school's football and tennis academies are accredited by AIFF and AITA, ensuring rigorous training and opportunities for budding athletes.

JIRS's dedication to excellence has earned it numerous accolades, including being ranked No.1 among India's top boarding schools and receiving the prestigious Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puruskar Award from the Ministry of Youth Affairs. Forbes India Marquee 2018 recognized JIRS as a 'Great Place To Study,' further solidifying its reputation as an educational powerhouse.

Schools such as JIRS strive to provide the best to their students. It paves for them the way to a brighter future, shaping them into distinct and responsible individuals. Apply now to JIRS!