BEYOND SCORES AND RANKS: MANORAMA ARORA'S VISION FOR EDUCATION

The Academic Director of The Tagore Group of Schools on building resilient minds, holistic development, and why every student deserves the courage to dream

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The true potential of any student lies far beyond numbers; it lives in resilience, character, curiosity, and the quiet confidence to dream big. After all, a piece of paper cannot decide their destiny. While the Indian education system often stays fixated on board percentiles and entrance rankings, it is the voices like Mrs. Manorama Arora’s that remind us of what truly matters. As the Academic Director of The Tagore Group of Schools, Mrs. Arora has spent over five decades redefining what success looks like—shifting focus from ‘average’ to ‘achiever,’ and from achievement to character. Her philosophy speaks to a critical moment in Indian education, where holistic development has become not just desirable but essential. In this exclusive conversation, she opens up about her vision for Faridabad’s educational future, the role of inclusivity in building resilient students, and why the most meaningful victories happen in the quiet corners of after-school study sessions and parent conversations.

Tell us a bit about yourself and your journey in education.

Manorama Arora (MA): My journey began with a vision to lift students from being ‘average’ to achiever. I joined Vidya Mandir School in 1978 with a singular mission: transforming potential into reality. Every child I taught was a story in the making, and my role was to help them write it boldly.