Future-Ready Education Must Go Beyond Academics, Says TACS President
Chennai, June 9: Education in the 21st century must move beyond academic achievement and place equal emphasis on student wellbeing, physical fitness, resilience and life skills, according to Dr. S. Prem Shankar, Chairman of Holy Sai Group of Institutions and President of the Tamil Nadu Association of Cambridge Schools (TACS).
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| (L to R) Dr. S. Prem Shankar, Chairman of Holy Sai Group of Institutions and President of the Tamil Nadu Association of Cambridge Schools (TACS); P. Naveen Howie, Co-founder and Managing Director of Fittgen |
Addressing a media interaction in Chennai on Tuesday, Dr. Prem Shankar highlighted the evolving role of schools in preparing students for a rapidly changing world. He noted that the Cambridge curriculum's learner-centred and inquiry-based approach equips students with critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and problem-solving skills while nurturing qualities such as confidence, responsibility, innovation and engagement.
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"Future-ready education is not just about academic excellence. It is about developing confident, reflective and responsible learners who are prepared to face real-world challenges," he said.
Dr. Prem Shankar pointed out that recent developments within the Cambridge framework have further strengthened the focus on learner wellbeing, active learning and the development of future-ready competencies. He said this philosophy has shaped the educational approach at Holy Sai International School, where student wellbeing is considered a core component of learning.
As part of this commitment, the school has introduced a comprehensive fitness assessment and monitoring programme to complement its existing sports activities. The initiative was developed in collaboration with fitness expert and former national-level athlete P. Naveen Howie, Co-founder and Managing Director of Fittgen.
Explaining the rationale behind the programme, Dr. Prem Shankar said traditional sports participation alone does not guarantee overall fitness. The structured programme enables schools to monitor and enhance students' physical development through scientific assessments and personalised fitness pathways.
"We wanted every student to benefit from measurable fitness development, not just those participating in competitive sports. The programme provides a systematic approach to monitoring and improving fitness levels," he said.
According to school authorities, the initiative has already produced positive outcomes, with students becoming more health-conscious, active, disciplined and confident. Parents have also welcomed the programme for providing deeper insights into their children's overall wellbeing alongside academic performance.
Mr. Naveen Howie said that true fitness encompasses strength, flexibility, endurance and movement competency, all of which require continuous assessment and targeted intervention.
"Many assume that participation in sports automatically leads to fitness. However, fitness needs to be developed and tracked scientifically. Our assessments establish individual baselines and help students improve through personalised development plans," he explained.
The programme is supported by a dedicated digital platform, Fittgen, which offers students, parents and schools accessible fitness data and progress tracking tools.
Impressed by the outcomes at Holy Sai International School, Dr. Prem Shankar said he would encourage other Cambridge schools across Tamil Nadu to adopt similar evidence-based fitness assessment and monitoring programmes.
Education stakeholders believe Tamil Nadu, already recognised for educational innovation, is well positioned to lead the integration of academic excellence with student wellbeing, creating a more holistic and future-ready learning environment for students.
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