The Higher Education Review

Holding an estimable legacy of 41 years, Presidency Group of Institutions (PGI) co-founded by the renowned educationist and philanthropist, Dr. Nissar Ahmed, is a well-known name in the educational arena. With seven schools, 3 colleges and a university under its umbrella, PGI ensures a bright future for thousands of students every year. Among the premier institutes under PGI, Presidency School Bangalore South (PSBS) is one of the most sought-after schools in Bangalore. Incepted in 2006 with around 350 students and 25 staff members, PSBS has grown into a massive entity in the school education sector with 1900 students and 140 faculty members including the administration wing, owing to the high-quality education that the school has been exhibiting over the years.

"Offering Kindergarten to Senior Secondary education, PSBS has designed different teaching methodologies for every level"

With the motto of providing a student-friendly learning environment and promoting innovative learning practices that draw out the best in every student, PSBS assures to mold each student" personality understanding their unique capabilities. "Change is constant and to deal with this, we render our students a lifelong learning that will eventually help them to find fulfillment and satisfaction in life," says J. Bhuvaneswari, Director/Principal, PSBS. At PSBS, students are pushed and motivated to keep a balance in curricular and co-curricular activities, comprehending the necessity of overall growth.

Offering Kindergarten to Senior Secondary education, the school has designed different teaching methodologies for every level. In the academic year of 2017-2018, the school has been conferred two awards viz. Value for Money and Individual Attention to students by the Education Today.

"Parents hands over their children to us with utmost trust, in the hope of seeing them acquire wholesome education. Comprehending this, we accord equal emphasis on class activities and outdoor activities," shares Bhuvaneswari.

The campus of PSBS is spread over two acres of land, situated off Bannerghatta Road with an aesthetic looking building that is loaded with state-of-the-art facilities. Spacious digital classrooms, well-equipped laboratories, audio-video studios, playground, library and so on are some of the facilities. The management of the school takes safety as the highest priority, given which round-the-clock security supervision is enforced in and around the campus, placing surveillance and CCTV cameras at strategic locations.

Preparing for Life

Compared to the higher education, the enhancement of school level students largely depends upon the teachers of the school. PSBS undertakes a tough regime before bringing a teacher into the classroom. At PSBS, the candidates are asked to sit for a written test, followed by a class demo, interactions with core members followed by Principal and finally interaction with the team at the corporate office for the final screening and selection. Bhuvaneswari pinpoints, "We are proud to have a team of teachers in the school who are hard-working, well-versed in their respective subjects coupled with possessing strong interest for effective teaching."

The teachers are regularly motivated by the management to undergo faculty development workshops and pursue programmes, which will enhance their teaching quality. "Two of our teachers at PSBS are qualified as Microsoft Certified Educationists and the teachers of Computer Science and other departments have successfully completed the IIT Bombay X Pedagogy for effective use of ICT for school teachers," mentions Bhuvaneswari. The teachers adopt a progressive approach to teaching that is proved to be intensifying the learning of the students. In addition to that, the school has three counselors to support the emotional quotient of the students, staff and parents, as well as has special educators to ensure inclusion of all students.

The students at PSBS start the day with their class teacher by exchanging any experiences, value-based stories and joyous or sad occasions. "Special activity based and experiential learning curriculum is prepared in-house for the KG to Grade 7 students, which is headed by the Director Presidency Group of Institutions Ms. Nafeesa Ahmed," opines Bhuvaneswari. Students are taken for excursions and field trips for exposing them to several outdoor activities. Moreover, the school also let the students enjoy 'no bag day' one day in a week during the Library week celebrations where the students spend their entire day reading, storytelling and listening to stories.

"A new initiative, the Oxford Reading Tree, a reading program, has been launched by the Presidency Group of Schools in the academic year 2015-16 that enables young students to become proficient and confident readers," adds Bhuvaneswari. To what extent the students have been able to grasp their learning is also monitored by the school through conducting enrichment classes that are planned at four levels and students are divided according to their levels of performance. Additionally, extra classes for grade 9-12 are organized for assisting them in completing portions well in time rendering substantial time for revisions and remedial. Emerged as one of the most sought-after schools in the city, PSBS is determined to deliver the best education promoting holistic development of the students.

J. Bhuvaneswari, Principal

Presently the Director/Principal of Presidency School Bangalore South, J. Bhuvaneswari has an extensive experience of over 30 years in the field of education. A topper and a meritorious student throughout her life, Bhuvaneswari has served as a teacher and a Principal in several reputed schools and has been with the Presidency school since 2002. She was awarded the "Best Karnataka State Principal" by International Science Olympiad foundation in the academic year of 2010-2011 and has also won several other awards.