Education Stalwarts 2021|Dr. Suresh Reddy, Founder Chairman of Candor International School |Education Influencer
Dr. Suresh Reddy, Founder Chairman of Candor International School, one of the top Education Influencer is with EducationToday sharing his experience.
Dr. Suresh Reddy started education in Andhra Pradesh, before moving to Bangalore to pursue his degree in Engineering. He relocated to USA, where the software prospects were better and initiated his career as a software engineer there. The US life was an eye-opener to him as he became aware of the importance of well-rounded education which not only caters to academic excellence but also life skills and personality development. He started his own business enterprise after a few years which turned out to be one of America’s fastest growing private companies as featured on Inc.com in the year 2008. The interactions that occurred during this period further emphasized the need for a well-balanced education system.
Being a visionary, Dr. Suresh Reddy always wished to contribute to the society that influenced him as a student. This bought him back to Bangalore. Even though education and schooling were new to him, the convictions he had about education and emerging developments in that area sparked his interest. Being entrepreneurial and risk-taker by nature, he wanted to contribute his best to society through world-class education for the overall development of a person.
While the education explosion in India has given birth to some world-class schools and marvelous architectures, that are slick, futuristic, and aesthetically appealing, not much is done to check how these concrete structures are affecting the environment. This is where the efforts of Dr. Suresh Reddy are highly laudable. He aspired for an eco-friendly educational system which resulted in Candor International School being the first school in India which was accredited under Green School Program and now a platinum-certified green building by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC).
He was greatly inspired by the ideas of Mahatma Gandhi who quoted, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others”.
On being asked about the challenges in the education sector, Dr. Reddy said that finding and hiring the right candidates for teaching and nurturing young minds is always a challenge. Building a team that aligns itself to and works according to the vision of the institution is also tough.
His ability to learn, adapt and try new things especially concerning technology has helped him to bring new developments into the school. The teachers of the school have been trained in Apple technology; and there is a School Management System (SMS) and E-Learning Management System (LMS) where communication between teachers, students, and parents are regular. He believes that one has to be a learner to nurture future learners, and so the school conducts regular professional training sessions for the teachers.
The year 2020 witnessed an unprecedented global pandemic that required shifting education to digital mode, all of a sudden. This period emphasized the importance of implementing technology into the teaching-learning process. Even though schools are reopening now, it is evident that the change is here to stay.
As far as the reopening of schools is concerned, Candor International School is strictly implementing the guidelines and the SOP’s under the National Directives issued by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. Wearing masks is mandatory for the students and staff at all times. Thermal screenings are being done, along with making sure that the students regularly sanitize their hands. Before re-joining the school, students will have to produce a Covid negative test report and consent from their parents to attend school, and there is also a full-time medical attendant on campus. Social distancing norms are also being adhered to strictly, with students being allowed to occupy seats based on color-coded timetables, in an attempt to minimize the possibility of spreading the virus.
The pandemic-enforced lockdown undoubtedly had the most adverse impact on the mental health of everyone, and particularly of the children. Keeping this in mind, the school has adopted several measures to ensure the well-being of the students, staff, and also parents. Of late, clinical psychologists and counsellors from Fortis Hospitals have been assisting the school to interact with the students. The teachers have been in constant touch with the students and their parents, to ensure that they don’t feel isolated. Candor also has an E-learning platform that enables parents and teachers to be connected at all times. The school also conducts intensive training programs for the staff to familiarize them with the Covid SOP’s, as well as IT training for the teachers on using Smart Interactive Boards.
There have been many reforms and developments in the education sector in the past few years. The field of education has become very dynamic and is evolving frequently. Dr. Reddy feels there is no one best method or curriculum and that collaboration between schools and educators can greatly help in getting the best practices and reforms that will nurture future citizens.
Dr. Reddy has been the recipient of several awards in the course of his journey including the White Swan Award for the Most Influential Leader in Education 2015-16, the Forbes Great Indian Award 2018-19, and the Prime Leader Award at the Global Premium Awards in Dubai. He has also been accredited by ‘Habitat of Humanity’ for his involvement in community development, in the year 2015. Dr. Suresh Reddy has been awarded the Doctor of Philosophy in 21st Century Institution Building (Honorary Causa) by The KEISIE International University South Korea.
Dr. Reddy is also a humanitarian and philanthropist. The outcome is the Saketh Educational Trust which today aids two villages, providing them clean drinking water. During the pandemic the Trust actively participated in donating emergency supplies to old age homes, and villages close by. The CAS activity which is a part of Candor Student’s curriculum allows students to meet, greet and teach underprivileged students. During the Coorg and Kerala floods 2018, a lot of essentials were collected and sent to the needy.
Candor International School has been ranked among Bangalore’s top 5 International Day-Cum-Boarding Schools and was twice ranked among the top 3 in Bangalore’s top International Day Schools. It has also been ranked number one in Safety and Hygiene, Infrastructure Provision, Innovative Teaching and Leadership Management Quality. Candor International School is ranked India’s #9, Karnataka’s #5 & Bengaluru’s #5 International Day-cum-Boarding School for the year 2020-21.
Dr. Reddy always talks about his family being his constant source of support through the course of his journey. His parents, sister and brother in law motivated him throughout his life. His wife, Mrs. Madhavi Reddy is a part of the Board of Directors and Director-Curriculum of Candor, and his brother, Mr. Naresh Reddy, is actively involved as Director Operations of the School.
Dr. Suresh Reddy’s advice to new-age educators is to imbibe and implement technology in the way they impart education to young minds. He says, “With each passing year, understandably, the usage of technology in the pedagogy has only increased manifold”.
Do check out experiences shared by our top 50 Education Influencers.
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