In the realm of public speaking, a scenario unfolds where you stand before an expectant audience, entrusted with the task of delivering a crucial speech or business plan. Yet, despite your best efforts, your words falter, punctuated by an abundance of fillers, rendering your message unclear. A journey down memory lane reveals that school days were fraught with trepidation, hindering participation in debates and discussions. Education then centered around rote memorization for exams, rather than fostering a drive for excellence.
Addressing this, Hyderabad-based educator Rennis Joseph sheds light on an educational paradigm where students are silenced for years, creating a dissonance when they are suddenly expected to communicate and collaborate. The consequence, he observes, is a notable failure in these realms. “Our education culture suppresses students, binding them in silence for 12 years of schooling and another five in college. Yet, one day, they’re expected to seamlessly communicate and collaborate, which is where the system falls short,” he asserts.
Furthermore, Rennis acknowledges the disheartening reality of schools where students struggling with English proficiency are ridiculed, extinguishing their innate curiosity and communication skills, transforming learning into a monotonous chore.
In a resolute move to bridge the gap in life skills and English language proficiency at the school level, Rennis and his wife Imma Mary founded Ignis Careers. This initiative stands as a beacon of change, imparting essential skills to students and training teachers through interactive curricula and participatory learning methods. Ignis Careers’ reach spans over 3.5 lakh students, and its impact extends to approximately 10,000 teachers across 1,000 low-cost schools across states including Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Telangana, Odisha, Mumbai, and Delhi.
The uniqueness of Ignis lies in its approach to ‘play’ as a means to imbue curricula with life and make learning an engaging experience for children, aligning with the principles of the National Education Policy, 2020. Rennis elucidates, “We initiate without delving into definitions. Instead, we encourage students to share about their families, envision smart schools or hospitals. Through enjoyable activities, we enable them to grasp grammar concepts, ensuring retention.”
Rennis’s own journey took a significant turn in 2002 while pursuing a PhD at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU). Engaging with the UN High Commission for Refugees project in Delhi led him to realize that education encompassed more than language – it extended to life skills and expression. Subsequently, he left his PhD pursuit and initiated teaching life skills and grammar to students.
Observing the shortcomings of the education system during his time at a Bengaluru coaching institute in 2004, Rennis recognized the dire need for change. The traditional model bred rote learning without practical skills, stifling creativity and confidence among students.
In 2014, Rennis and Imma, driven by these experiences, launched Ignis Careers. Their methodology centers around fostering interactive classrooms, breaking down barriers, and nurturing critical thinking. They work in tandem with schools for approximately four years, maintaining contact to assess the impact. The success stories are numerous – like Banapuram village in Telangana, where 90 percent of students pursuing higher education stand as a testament to Ignis’s impact.
Aside from direct student engagement, Ignis focuses on training teachers, equipping them with innovative techniques to continue the legacy of dynamic education beyond the classroom. This comprehensive approach necessitates funding, with Rennis charging up to Rs 700 per student per year in low-cost private schools, while government schools benefit through CSR donations.
Rennis’s journey hasn’t been devoid of challenges, with financial constraints, particularly post-demonetization in 2016, proving daunting. Despite adversity, Ignis’s effectiveness shines through – a 2019 study revealed that 94 percent of parents witnessed an enhanced quality of life for their children. Rennis encapsulates his motivation aptly, “I am someone driven by a resolute purpose, and upon witnessing the impact, the impetus to strive for greater heights is inevitable.”
In a realm where traditional education often stifles innovation and growth, Rennis Joseph and Ignis Careers stand as catalysts, redefining the very essence of learning. Through dynamic methods, they not only enrich the lives of students but also infuse classrooms with vitality, ensuring education transcends confinement and truly prepares individuals for a diverse, ever-evolving world.
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