Jitendra Kumar Jain, New Step Academy, Udaipur
Service That Got a Purpose
Many people have big career dreams, but sometimes they realize that money isn’t everything. Jitendra Kumar Jain’s journey reflects this sentiment. He started working as an Assistant Manager at Dainik Bhaskar, but he felt something was missing. So then he ventured into the pharmaceutical industry and even began his own business, where the income was satisfactory. However, despite this financial success, he remained unfulfilled.
Jitendra didn’t give up. He wanted to find something that would bring him real joy and purpose. After some soul searching, he found his calling in teaching. With his expertise in business and teaching, along with his spouse’s support, they felt it was time to make a difference in society. So, they took a leap of faith and started New Step Academy School in Karavali in 2014, aiming to bring positive change to the lives of many.
Since the school opened, Jitendra’s life has improved significantly. Every day, he has the opportunity to assist students and enhance their lives, which is what truly counts for him.
Reflecting on his journey in education, he emphasizes, “Teaching goes beyond mere employment. It’s an opportunity to create an impact and influence the future.”
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School’s Strategic BeginningsÂ
Jitendra’s school started with just 16 students back in 2014. Teachers and staff gave each child special attention, creating a close-knit community. “We made sure every event, from sports to our annual day, was memorable for those 16 students,” Jitendra recalls fondly. Their hard work paid off, and the following year they welcomed 64 students.
Jitendra notes on the school’s progress, saying, “Our success speaks volumes about the quality of education at New Step School. We didn’t need surveys or marketing; word of mouth brought us students.”Â
Today, New Step Academy School flourishes with 325 students, each receiving an exceptional education.
Maintaining Quality Education
Jitendra is thrilled to discuss the enrollment consistency at his school. “We’ve always upheld high standards, so challenges have been minimal,” he notes. “Maintaining an A-grade status while keeping fees reasonable has been key,” he adds. “Our school has established specific standards and regulations, which we still adhere to,” he emphasizes.
“We ensure each class has no more than 24 students, allowing teachers to provide individual attention,” Jitendra explains. This approach, he believes, fosters a conducive learning environment.
Evaluation Process At The School
Jitendra’s school has a distinctive approach to testing and learning. They ensure thorough revision and prepare students for board exams from the first day. It’s a thoughtful and practical approach to education,” he remarks.
“We prioritize hiring experienced teachers dedicated to quality education,” Jitender asserts. “Following NEP guidelines, we’ve introduced a day boarding system for younger grades to ease burdens on children. Our curriculum is well-structured, and our teachers adhere to a diligent schedule,” he notes. “We believe in nurturing early childhood development as it lays the foundation for future learning,” he emphasizes.
In classes from 3rd to 10th, subjects are taught on alternate days to reduce the load of school bags and help students concentrate better. “This method also makes homework completion more efficient,” Jitender notes. “Additionally, we prioritize teaching students essential planning and organizational skills,” he emphasizes.
Parents are encouraged to share their feedback openly to maintain a strong communication network. “We value constructive suggestions from parents as long as they align with our school’s approach,” he affirms.
Innovations in Teaching
The school has celebrated two remarkable achievements in recent years. “Firstly, we saw our student population grow fourfold without any marketing efforts,” the school leader shares. “Secondly, during the COVID-19 pandemic when many schools faced enrollment challenges, we innovated our teaching methods,” he continues.
“We utilized platforms like WhatsApp for video lessons and created a Telegram channel for students to access resources,” Jitendra explains. While attempts to use Google Meet were partially successful, they found alternative ways to keep students engaged and motivated. “During the second wave of the pandemic, we established four learning centers in different villages as part of the government’s Aao Ghar Se Sikhe program,” he adds.
“We worked tirelessly for 12 hours daily to ensure our students remained on track during these challenging times,” he shares. And, confidently summing up his work and growth, he claims, “Our school delivers the same quality of education as a metro city school, even in rural areas.”
Varthana’s Role In Image Building
Jitendra discovered Varthana through Facebook, which made it easier for him. “Many school owners struggle with loans, but I’m grateful to have found Varthana for our school,” he says. “Parents weren’t satisfied with our previous school building. With Varthana’s loan, we developed a kids’ zone for nursery to 2nd grade and revamped the entire building,” he adds.
“Having an attractive environment is crucial. It can attract quality parents and enhance the school’s image with increased enrollment,” Jitendra emphasizes. The improvements made with loans have positively impacted the schools, attracting quality parents. “Before, parents would visit, talk to us, and then consider admission. Now, many are drawn to our school just by seeing the facilities and structure,” he remarks.
Training The Future School Leaders
Jitendra is envisioning a future that reflects the growth and expansion of his school. “I’m striving to establish my school as a top brand known for exceptional quality,” he shares. With the launch of NEP, he plans to broaden the school’s reach by opening branches focusing on early childhood education up to 2nd grade. “I’m particularly passionate about providing the best learning experience for young students,” he notes.
“My ultimate goal is to hand over these branches to my employees, nurturing them into exceptional leaders,” Jitendra says.Â
He also aims to foster more entrepreneurs who share his vision and values. “Although the branches will be new, they’ll be run by my employees who are heading on this exciting journey,” he concludes.
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