With the National Education Policy (NEP) stressing upon critical thinking and creativity in school education, Hayde Heritage Academy, a CBSE-affiliated senior secondary school based in Kotdwar (Uttarakhand) has introduced ‘Seekh’ – a two-year residential programme for creative arts school aspirants. With the introduction of this programme, students can pursue art as a career thus emphasising on critical design thinking, skill development, portfolio building, which leads to the future preparation for design and art colleges. ‘Seekh’, with four semesters spread over two years, is offered with class 11-12 CBSE curriculum where the students will be provided an opportunity to study and learn the subjects of their choices alongwith the art and design course.

Hayde Heritage Academy, has always focused on multi-disciplinary education, even years before the National Education Policy came into force. The academy’s new age scientifically driven pedagogy has been both path breaking and revolutionary in the hinterlands of India’s Hindi heartland. The freedom that children enjoy when it comes to choosing subjects all the while keeping their future in sight has made them confident to face the bigger world.

Comments Rupamala Singh, principal, Hayde Heritage Academy says, “Hayde Heritage has always been innovative in pedagogical techniques and have believed in 21^stcentury skills – the ability to think critically, to write and communicate well orally, to connect the dots between various disciplines, and to have a love for learning, because the student has to be a continuous learner.”

“We have been promoting an inter disciplinary approach for grade 11 and 12 students since the last three years with astounding results. Seekh – a curated art and design programme reiterates our commitment towards continuous innovation”, adds Singh.

Vaibhav Agrawal, a class 12 student at Hayde Heritage Kotdwara, with dreams of joining the IIT is a quintessential STEM student but has teamed his choice of Mathematics, Physics and Chemistry with Geography and Psychology. Vaibhav says, “I am interested in these subjects so I grabbed the opportunity. Also, I felt it would come handy me when I join the Indian army.”

Devesh Rawat, another Science student of Hayde Heritage  has opted for music (Tabla) along with his core subjects of Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Computer. “Music helps me to cope with the stress of my other subjects. Actually, it has helped me perform better,” he says.