Ms. Tanu Tiwari is an experienced educationist and school leader with expertise in teaching, residential schooling, student well-being, and educational leadership. Having worked with reputed schools and boarding institutions, she brings an understanding of holistic education and the role residential schools play in shaping young individuals. As Principal of The Sagar School, she advocates student-centric education that extends beyond academic performance to include emotional well-being, character development, resilience, leadership, empathy, and social responsibility. Her leadership focuses on creating an educational environment that balances academics, sports, arts, pastoral care and life skills.
Ms. Tiwari shared her perspectives at the North Educators’ Summit & Awards 2026, presented by EducationToday, where the panel discussion “Are Parents and Educators Aligned on Student Learning?” explored the growing influence of technology and parental involvement in children’s education.
Responding to a situation in which a parent uses ChatGPT to complete a challenging school assignment, she questioned whether the purpose of education was being compromised by an excessive focus on the final outcome.
She distinguished between education as a product and education as a process, emphasising that meaningful learning happens through exploration, problem-solving and independent thinking. She explained that parents should support children through scaffolding, which involves breaking down difficult tasks, offering guidance and helping them understand problems rather than providing ready-made answers.
She also raised concerns about students becoming increasingly dependent on external assistance instead of developing the confidence to overcome challenges independently. According to her, teachers must also take responsibility for designing assignments that encourage genuine participation and intellectual engagement.
In her concluding remarks, Ms. Tiwari advocated reducing the emphasis on marks, rankings, and rewards, particularly during the formative years. Her contribution reinforced the importance of allowing children to learn naturally, make mistakes, and develop without constant academic pressure.
Ms. Tanu Tiwari is the Principal of The Sagar School.
A school principal provides academic and administrative leadership while guiding teachers, supporting students, and strengthening the school environment.
Progressive education encourages active participation, critical thinking, creativity, and learning through practical experiences.
Schools can encourage academic learning, sports, arts, collaboration, life skills, and value-based activities.
Effective leadership supports teacher development, academic improvement, innovation, and a positive learning culture.
