Episode 5 of Where Passion Meets Education (WPME). Sandeep Dutt in conversation with Naga Prasad Tummala (NP). The podcast celebrates the life and legacy of Shomie Das, an influential educator, through the lens of Naga Tummala’s experiences and book.
Key Takeaways
Shomie Das profoundly impacted education in India, touching numerous schools throughout his life.
Naga Tummala and his partner Raj Yarlgadda built Oakridge International School with Shomie Das’s guidance, focusing on child-centred education.
Trust, relationships, and adapting to new technologies in education were emphasised.
What we talked about:
Shomie Das’s Legacy
Described as a visionary who could “see tomorrow” in education.
He impacted 80+ schools throughout his 80+ year life.
Mentored Naga Tummala and influenced the creation of Oakridge International School.
Naga Tummala’s Journey
I moved from a small town to a city then to a metropolis to pursue educational aspirations.
Co-founded Oakridge International School with long-time friend Raj Yarlagadda.
Wrote a book about Shomie Das, celebrating 25 years of his influence.
Critical Principles for School Management
Keep children at the centre of all decisions and actions.
Create a happy organisation where teachers can thrive.
Be clear about the school’s mission (profit vs. charity) to avoid contradictions.
Child-Centered Education at Oakridge
Removed prescribed textbooks to encourage exploration.
We implemented internet-connected classrooms as early as 2001.
We are focused on learning from the environment and hands-on experiences.
Teacher Recruitment and Development
Prioritised passion for teaching and love for children over experience.
We recruited younger teachers with high enthusiasm and learning ability.
They provided freedom for teachers to develop their teaching methods.
Parent Involvement
We viewed parents as “volunteers on the ground” (50 volunteers for 25 students).
Established daily communication systems between teachers and parents.
Emphasised emotional connection and shared interest in student success.
Future of Education
Currently working on AI-enhanced learning solutions to empower teachers.
Recognising the shift towards students and teachers being equal learners.
Adapting to new technologies while maintaining human connections.
Next Steps
Readers are encouraged to obtain Naga Tummala’s book about Shomie Das.
Continue exploring and implementing child-centred education principles.
Adapt educational practices to incorporate new technologies like AI.
Maintain focus on trust, relationships, and emotional connections in education.
The story of the life and times of one of the finest educationists of modern India.
Linkedin Profile of Naga Tummala
“To build a school is to build a civilisation; with technology, a school can be accessible anywhere, anytime.”
This motto underscores the visionary approach of Naga Tummala, the co-founder and CEO of Coschool www.coschool.ai, a generative AI-powered, comprehensive learning system that empowers schools.
Naga’s journey in education began over 30 years ago as the co-founder and chairman of the People Combine group, which founded Oakridge International Schools. He is also one of the co-founders of FICCI ARISE and a key strategic brand behind its rise to significance. People Combine was acclaimed as one of India’s top 15 workplaces in 2019 by Great Places to Work and The Economic Times and was recognised among India’s top 10 for working women in 2016 and 2017 by Avatar and Working Mother Group. In 2019, its divestment from Oakridge set a precedent as India’s largest FDI in education.
As a socially conscious individual, Naga pledged to donate one-third of his net worth to philanthropy.The video recording of the podcast is available on vimeo.
In August 2020, I recoreded a podcast with Shomie, tune in here:
Naga Tummala