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What is the story about?
During the India Education Summit - South Edition hosted in Chennai recently, one panel stood out for the honesty and urgency of its conversation. Titled
‘The Evolving Role of Educators: From Knowledge Providers to Mentors, Innovators and Gamechangers’, the discussion went beyond predictable debates about marks, degrees and placements. Instead, it held up a mirror to Indian education- about what it gets right, where it falls short and how a shift in mindset could change everything. The panel brought together voices from sharply different worlds and together they painted a layered picture of Indian students trying to navigate a globalised world.
Looking Inward Instead of Always Looking Abroad
Dr. Srimathy Kesan walked onto the stage carrying something symbolic and powerful. With her was ShakthiSAT, a lunar satellite built by 12,000 Indian schoolgirls. It was not just a prop but proof of what Indian students, especially girls are capable of when given opportunity, trust and vision. You may have seen Dr Kesan's photographs widely shared after her meeting with President Droupadi Murmu - well, she is the Founder & CEO of Space Kidz India and Mission Director of ShakthiSAT.
Speaking with passion, Dr. Kesan questioned the deeply ingrained belief that success in science and innovation must necessarily come from studying or working abroad. She also questioned the belief that girls are not made for deep technology. While global exposure has value, she argued that Indian children are no less capable of achieving world-class outcomes within the country.
“The need of the hour is to trust children and encourage them to think out of the box,” she says. According to her, educators must go beyond delivering syllabus-driven knowledge. Students need to be encouraged to identify real problems, experiment freely, fail without fear and learn through that failure. A typical Indian classroom still does not allow enough space for curiosity, risk-taking or original thinking but she is trying to change that at her level. Her message was clear: India does not lack talent. It lacks an ecosystem that consistently trusts young minds.
Strong Theory, Weak Confidence
Offering a global perspective, Vidhi Mistry, ED, PR & Growth University of Roehampton, London brought in insights from her work with Indian students aspiring to study abroad. "Contrary to popular belief, Indian students are rarely behind in terms of theoretical understanding. In fact, academically, they are often very strong. What they lack, however, is confidence and even independence. We teach kids what to think and not how to think."
"In India, the system largely rewards good marks, polished assignments and compliance. On the international stage, students are expected to speak up, challenge ideas, work independently and take ownership of their learning journey. One critical difference, she pointed out, is the early introduction of mentorship abroad."
International students are often assigned mentors early on. These are people who have spent years working in the field the student aspires to enter. This kind of guidance helps students navigate real-world challenges, build clarity and develop confidence. In India, this mentorship culture is still limited, leaving students academically prepared but emotionally and professionally under-confident.
Jayaprakash Gandhi, Career Consultant & Analyst points out that there is a dire need to continuously update the Indian curriculum - times are changing rapidly but the curriculum remains old. This also prevents students from experimenting with new and emerging fields because there is lack of exposure.
The Gendered Conditioning We Rarely Talk About
Dr. Kesan responded with a deeply uncomfortable but necessary truth. Indian boys and girls are raised very differently and this directly impacts how they approach risk, ambition and innovation. "Boys grow up under constant pressure to perform, earn well and become providers. This pressure often makes them averse to risk, hesitant to experiment and reluctant to explore unconventional paths." Girls, on the other hand, are often raised with the expectation that they only need to study 'well enough' to secure a good marriage. This conditioning quietly lowers ambition, limits exposure and discourages long-term career dreaming. Neither is truly free, she said.
Until educators and parents recognise and dismantle these gendered expectations, Indian students regardless of talent will continue to second-guess themselves.
Why Non-Conformity Might Be the Real Superpower
Adding a personal dimension to the discussion, Saravanan Periyasamy, Chairman, PERI Educational Institutions shared an anecdote about his son, often labelled the naughtiest child in class, frequently the subject of teacher complaints. Instead of seeing this as a flaw, he began to see it as a sign of curiosity and independent thinking.
He further said that today’s education system often rewards children who conform, those who follow instructions without questioning. But the world outside does not operate that way. Innovation, leadership and entrepreneurship demand courage, curiosity and the willingness to stand apart. “Children who think differently should not be corrected all the time. They should be understood. Every institution can give a degree. What matters is whether we give students confidence,” he added.
The panel converged on one powerful idea - Indian students do not need to become someone else to succeed globally. They need a system that values mentorship over marks, curiosity over conformity and confidence over comparison. The talent is already here. What remains is the courage to let it breathe.
