Long before policy documents spoke of inclusion and access, Indian women educators were already living these ideals. Savitribai Phule, India’s first woman teacher, walked to school amid social hostility so that girls could learn to read, write and think. Her work was not merely about literacy; it was about dignity and resistance. Fatima Sheikh, her lesser-known but equally courageous collaborator, opened her home as the first school for girls, reminding us that educational re

Awareness and understanding of autism has grown in international and alternative schools where neurodivergence is recognized in 10 - 15% of students. While a smaller class size allows for quicker identification of learning, behavioural or socio-emotional needs, traditional schools and smaller towns often lag behind. The challenge in most schools lies in the gap between identification and actionable support. Without specialized training and resources, educators remain ill-equi

Every classroom has quiet moments when a simple word, a patient pause, or a steady presence can make all the difference. These are the times educators “hold space” for students—offering not just instruction but emotional safety. Holding space means building an environment where learners feel seen, heard, and valued, so they can navigate academic and personal challenges with confidence.  Resilience over Dependency  When a teacher holds space, they step beyond lesson plans and

Across India, museums have long been places of preservation. Carefully lit artefacts sit behind glass. Labels tell us what they are, where they came from, and why they matter. We walk through them respectfully, quietly absorbing information. In both museums and schools, conversations about heritage often revolve around monuments, timelines, and preservation. Students learn about historical sites through textbooks, photographs, or the occasional field visit. Yet through the wo

Biologically, nature has made the females of nearly all species stronger than males. The male may be physically strong & muscular but the female has the tenacity of spirit and a great factor of resilience. At the same time, child-bearing and child-rearing has limited the ability to spread wings and test her own potential into the vast space of land or sky. Confined to home & hearth, she limited her own potential, for she was made to believe that she was less of a mortal.  Anc

During my three decades in education, I have attended and facilitated numerous professional development sessions. After my first decade as a teacher, I pursued three formal postgraduate diplomas and degrees to deepen and broaden my learning. Yet over time, one realises that the most powerful professional learning does not always happen in formal programmes. It happens in classrooms, in corridors, in conversations with colleagues, during feedback sessions with experienced prac

When I was twelve, after an argument with my mother, I made a dramatic declaration that I could no longer tolerate her autocratic ways. “I’m done. I’m leaving!” Without even looking up from her chores, she replied calmly,  “The door and the gate are open.” I marched out, convinced she would soon rush behind me with panic, persuasion, or perhaps even tears. Nothing happened. I peeped through the door. She was still busy. “I’m leaving!” I shouted again. “You’re still there?” sh

A life shaped by purpose, guided by values, and defined by service, renowned educationist Dr. Abraham Ebenezer’s leadership reflects a rare commitment to people, integrity, and transformative education. Mentor Magazine chronicles his unparalleled legacy, anchored in curiosity, kindness and purpose. In Pursuit of Purpose My early years in the government system were formative, offering me a wide canvas - an opportunity to understand administration at a systemic level, to engage

For over two decades, education technology has promised to transform classrooms. But after the excitement of the pandemic years, schools are beginning to ask a more fundamental question: is technology actually improving learning, or simply adding another layer of complexity? Ed-tech has travelled an interesting journey over the last twenty years. From being an experimental idea to becoming a pandemic necessity, it has now entered a more mature phase. The excitement is settlin

As children, many of us grew up with small rituals that quietly trained our patience. Every Sunday afternoon, we sat down to fill a page of cursive writing. It was rarely voluntary. A parent hovered nearby, ensuring that every r  looped neatly and every i  carried its proper dot. Until the page was completed to satisfaction, we were not allowed anywhere near the only screen that mattered in the house, the television. We wrote with pencils for years before graduating to ink pe