Education Stalwarts 2022 | Col Ashok Mor, Director Principal of Motilal Nehru School of Sports, Rai | Leaders in Education
Motilal Nehru School of Sports, Rai, is a fully residential Sr. Secondary School run by the government of Haryana under the Sports & Youth Affairs Department. The school is affiliated to Central Board of Secondary Education, New Delhi and is a member of Indian Public Schools’ Conference (IPSC) and National Progressive Schools’ Conference (NPSC). The medium of instruction is English.
I joined the institution on 15th September, 2021, being the first alumnus to head the institution. However, I feel that no institution can be run only by an individual, no matter how dynamic he/she is. A good leader creates a good team and gives the team the freedom to function and grow. So “we” is infinitely more relevant than “I”.
We need dynamic thinking and action – mere followers will not be able to instill that vibrancy in our most precious asset, our students. My style of working is to give ideas or projects and allow the individual to take it to fruition on his own. A deadline ensures that work progresses at a steady pace. This way the individual feels he is taking all the vital decisions, without having to report to the administrators at every point. A leader knows the way, shows the way and goes the way. It is my endeavour to first apply the rules I lay down, on myself, be it for teachers, coaches, administrative staff or my students. Hopefully my staff feels that if I can do it, so can they. I prefer to make the rules without scope for exceptions; it works better for everyone concerned.
My entire team, comprising of Vice Principal, Headmistress, Administrative officer, I/c Sports and Academic Coordinator have carte blanche to work and approach me. Brain storming sessions are held first thing in the morning so that one feels motivated and geared up for work. Effective leadership comes through effective communications. Recently, an ‘Adopt a Village initiative, which was languishing for the past few months was revived and I led a group of students to a local village. The response was overwhelming since our school decided to share knowledge of courses students can enroll for after as early as 10th and 12th so that children from less privileged families can start contributing to the family income while pursuing their higher studies. We were determined to change the course of their lives by extending a helping hand to them. Our students are already making friends with them and are raring to go visit their new friends on alternate Sundays, carrying little gifts like storybooks, cards etc.
As the Principal & Director of MNSS, I feel the past 2 years have been the most challenging. I feel that the trauma of losing loved ones, not being able to come to school and the resultant fear of losing out on the joys of collective learning have scarred the students. Even during the pandemic, we organized classes as per a set time table, were in constant touch with the students and even distributed new books and notebooks to them! Even NCC classes were held. Activities like debates and declamations were organized online so that children felt a sense of participation and belongingness.
A school is as good as its students. Our alumni are our real ambassadors. They have achieved great success in every field one can imagine. We have started NCC in a big way. All students from 9th to 12th standards will have NCC from the 2022-23 session which starts in April. I feel NCC is the future of the country, as it instills a sense of duty and service before self. My mantra for all my students is to be at the right place, at the right time and in the right attire, always. For this, I rely on my teachers who have worked tirelessly to instill these values in the students.
Teachers are educationists. If their work is acknowledged and their efforts are applauded, they will redouble their efforts. Teachers are the backbone of not only an educational institution, but also of the nation. A good teacher will fashion a generation of worthy citizens. Finally, I would like to tell my younger colleagues that leadership is not about position or power; it is about influencing and impacting lives in a transformative way. Leaders are those who empower others and help them to don the mantle of success, rather than wearing it themselves.
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