Only great minds can afford a simple living

True to the words, our founder correspondent Late Shri. Dr. P.N. Palaniswamy had a very simple living all through his life. He was born on 29th August 1936, in a wealthy family with an agricultural background. Though he was passionate about education, he had to withdraw his schooling owing to family responsibilities. As a young adult, he tried his hands at varied fields from manufacturing to trade. His burning desire towards education probed him to give back quality education to the society where he belonged.

That marks the birth of NATIONAL MODEL GROUP OF SCHOOLS. In 1987, Shri. Dr. P.N. Palaniswamy started National Model Matriculation School on a small scale with students and staff. His resilience and tireless effort with deep-rooted principles made the school grow in leaps and bounds. He was a visionary who introduced holistic learning even three decades back, always thinking of the wellness and all rounded growth of students.

He was a proud pioneer in introducing extra-curriculars for all students into the curriculum. Children at National Model learnt martial arts, yogasanas and to sing mellifluously and dance gracefully alongside their academic and sporting skills. Under his able guidance and the collaboration of his team, the school reached a student strength of 3000 plus and staff strength of 300 plus by 2005, and there has been no looking back since.

His realization of the need for a national curriculum led to the start of a new school in 2006 following the CBSE curriculum. As a next step towards excellence, he introduced technology-based teaching - all classrooms were equipped with computers, projectors and 24/7 uninterrupted internet. To optimize learning, classrooms were air conditioned with state-of-the-art facilities. He strongly believed that each individual is unique and, with personalised attention, blooms to full potential; hence the class strength remains at a ratio of 10:1 till date.

Recognizing his zeal for education, Popolare University di Milano, Italy conferred on him an Honorary Doctorate and a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2010. In 2011, he created a platform for students and staff to participate in an attempt that achieved the Guinness World Record title "The Largest Candy Mosaic".

He was a self motivated person known for his lofty ideals and simplicity; his life remains an inspiring lesson to all students and staff who journeyed with the school. Though his soul departed in 2012, his memories and principles will lead us always.

Mr Mohan is our proud leader who helped build this group into an ever-lasting team. Blessed with an impressive personality and strong leadership, he completed his MBA in 1989 and later pursued his Ph.D. in Primary Education.

He took the reins of National Model School in 1987. With unconventional and progressive ideas, he set out to create a unique, constructive and functional way of imparting knowledge, despite numerous challenges. This vision and the values added to it laid the foundation for a strong system that continues to nurture talented learners.

His commitment to innovation brought cutting-edge technologies into the school, ensuring education, teaching and technology sailed on the same boat, through ultra-short-throw projectors, visualisers and interactive panel boards in every classroom.

He has ensured that every teacher is well-trained and oriented, with opportunities to attend workshops throughout the year to understand each child individually, identify innate talents and ignite young minds.

These efforts have led to humongous and consistent growth - from just two students in 1987 to over 4500 students across four schools today. Over 34 years of trials, tribulations and triumph, his philosophy that "Happiness is a boomerang; give it in ample to people around you, and it comes back in abundance" has guided the institution. A man with a humble heart, he credits this success to his family, friends, faculty and intuition that turned his vision into reality.

Mrs Uma Mohan Chandar completed her B.E. in 1997. She began her career as a software engineer but moved into teaching out of passion, believing that a good teacher needs an inquiring mind and a supportive team.

At the age of 30, as a mother of two, she chose to become a teacher, convinced that parents are teachers too. For the past 15 years, she has not only grown as a successful teacher but has also helped many others realise their teaching dreams.

She believes that a systematic and scientific approach to the teaching-learning process is key to meaningful student engagement, shifting the paradigm from teacher-centric to learner-centric. With this in mind, she designed a curriculum for the 21st century that promotes active, differentiated and collaborative learning.

Along with her team, she continuously analyses classroom practices and devises strategies to keep learners actively engaged. She sees today's classrooms as vibrant spaces where students share, participate and build knowledge while enjoying the process - exactly how learning should be.

She has now taken on the additional responsibility of Manager, contributing to both academic and administrative domains to further strengthen the institution.