Bengaluru is set to host FIND Festival 2024, India’s first-ever learning festival dedicated to transforming K-12 education. Organised by CMR Jnanadhara Trust and Ekya Schools, this landmark event promises to bring together educators, students, and experts to foster innovation, collaboration, and empowerment in education.

Event Overview

Dates: January 25–26, 2025

Venue: Ekya School, JP Nagar, Bengaluru

Theme: Reimagining Education for a Changing World

Participants: Over 1,000 educators, students, and field experts

Keynote Speakers: Esteemed leaders in education, technology, and innovation

Objectives and Highlights

The FIND Festival aims to empower K-12 education by addressing the rapidly changing demands of the modern world. The event focuses on:

Sharing Best Practices: Educators will showcase innovative teaching methods and strategies.

Empowering Students: Attendees will gain insights and skills to adapt to a dynamic global landscape.

Fostering Collaboration: The festival encourages networking and knowledge-sharing among stakeholders.

Showcasing Innovations: A platform for the latest educational tools, technologies, and services.

Dr. Tristha Ramamurthy, Managing Trustee of CMR Jnanadhara Trust, expressed excitement about the festival's transformative potential, stating,

Opportunities for Attendees

The festival will feature keynote speeches, interactive workshops, panel discussions, and exhibitions. Participants will explore topics such as integrating technology in classrooms, fostering critical thinking, and building future-ready curricula.

Registration Details

Registration for FIND Festival 2024 is now open. Educators, students, and stakeholders can sign up to participate and explore the cutting-edge ideas shaping India’s education landscape.

For further details, contact the organisers at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or visit the festival’s official website. This festival is a groundbreaking initiative poised to set new benchmarks in K-12 education and inspire meaningful transformation in how India approaches learning.

The K-12 education system, which spans from kindergarten to 12th grade, is rapidly gaining traction across India. According to the Ministry of Education, this globally popular educational model is designed to provide a well-rounded, holistic approach to learning, and it is becoming a central pillar of India’s evolving educational landscape.

Key features of the K-12 system include a comprehensive curriculum that balances academic learning with extracurricular activities, a strong emphasis on skill development, and standardised assessments to ensure uniformity across schools. Currently, there are over 22,000 K-12 schools across the country, with 40% of them located in urban areas. As more parents and educators recognize the importance of quality education, the demand for K-12 schools continues to grow steadily.

The adoption of the K-12 system offers a range of benefits for students, such as improved learning outcomes, better employability skills, and enhanced global compatibility. Additionally, the system fosters a more well-rounded education by encouraging critical thinking and creativity through extracurricular activities. It also ensures that students are equipped with the skills necessary to succeed in an increasingly competitive world. Furthermore, there is a significant focus on better teacher training, ensuring that educators are well-prepared to meet the diverse needs of their students.

However, there are challenges in fully implementing the K-12 system across India. These include infrastructure constraints, teacher shortages, affordability issues, and the need for stronger regulatory frameworks to oversee the quality of education. Despite these challenges, government initiatives such as the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA), and Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) are working to address these concerns and promote the expansion of K-12 education.

The private sector has also played a significant role in driving the K-12 education system's growth, with the establishment of international schools, educational technology startups, and innovative learning solutions. According to the National University of Educational Planning and Administration, a collaborative approach involving the government, private sector, and educators is essential. Investments in infrastructure, teacher training, and innovation will be crucial to realising the full potential of the K-12 system, ensuring it plays a pivotal role in shaping India’s future.

The inauguration of Ekya Nava K12, the fourth school established by the Ekya Foundation, was recently conducted near Gottigere, off Bannerghatta Road. The institution has been designed to deliver holistic K12 education, emphasizing academic excellence, character development, and community engagement.  

As per reports by The Hindu, a capacity to accommodate 1,200 students has been incorporated into the school’s state-of-the-art infrastructure. Modern facilities, such as dedicated spaces for sports, art, and music, along with a well-equipped library, have been included to ensure an enriching learning environment. The CBSE curriculum has been adopted, with the integration of STEAM methodologies to enhance critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving abilities among students.  

The vision for the school has been articulated by Sabeena Kamath, Chairperson of the Ekya Foundation. It was stated that the objective of the institution is to provide a well-rounded education, equipping students for success in a rapidly evolving world. This commitment to holistic development is reflected in the academic and extracurricular offerings of Ekya Nava.  

Applications for admission to Nursery through Grade 9 are currently being accepted. Interested parents are encouraged to gather further details and register through the school’s official website. The establishment of Ekya Nava has been seen as an expansion of the Ekya Foundation’s presence in Bengaluru. The new school has joined the ranks of other well-established institutions under the Ekya umbrella, including:  

  • Ekya School, ITPL (Whitefield)  
  • Ekya School, JP Nagar
  • Ekya School, Byrathi (near Hebbal)  

During the ceremony, the contribution of the school to Bengaluru’s education ecosystem was acknowledged by Karnataka’s Education Minister. It was remarked that Ekya Nava’s inauguration represented a significant advancement in the city’s education landscape, with particular appreciation expressed for the school’s focus on holistic learning.  

With its innovative approach to education and emphasis on comprehensive student development, Ekya Nava K12 is expected to make a substantial impact. A future-ready education has been promised, offering parents in Bengaluru a valuable new choice for their children.

The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) is expected to release the date sheet for the Class 10 and Class 12 board exams for 2025 in December 2024. According to official sources, the exams are tentatively scheduled to begin on February 15, 2025, creating anticipation among students, parents, and educators nationwide.  

The official CBSE website (*cbse.gov.in*) will serve as the primary platform for accessing the time tables and related updates. Students will be able to view the detailed exam schedule, including important dates and subject-wise timings, once the announcement is made.  

Tentative Exam Schedule

  • Class10 Exams: February 15 to March 20, 2025  
  • Class 12 Exams: February 15 to April 4, 2025  
  • Date Sheet Release: December 2024 (expected)  
  • Admit Card Release: January 2025 (expected)  
  • Exams Commence: February 15, 2025 (tentative)  
  • Exams End: March 20 (Class 10) and April 4 (Class 12), 2025 (tentative)  


Students appearing for the exams have been advised to:  

  • Carry their admit cards and valid ID proofs to exam centers.  
  • Follow COVID-19 protocols, including mask-wearing and hand hygiene, as mandated.  

To stay informed about updates, students are encouraged to:  

  • Regularly visit the official CBSE website (*cbse.gov.in*).  
  • Follow CBSE’s verified social media accounts.  
  • Subscribe to CBSE notification services for timely alerts.  


With over 20 million students preparing for the CBSE board exams annually, the forthcoming announcement has heightened excitement and focus on academic readiness.  

Makoons World School is making waves in India’s educational landscape with its groundbreaking approach to K-12 learning. Focused on fostering critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills, the school’s curriculum is designed to equip students with the tools they need to thrive in an ever-evolving world.

The school emphasises the overall development of students, focusing not just on academics but also on their emotional and social growth. This balanced approach ensures that students are well-rounded and prepared for the challenges of life. Makoons World School believes in learning by doing. The curriculum incorporates hands-on learning experiences that make education more engaging and effective, helping students internalise concepts in a practical, memorable way.

Recognizing the pivotal role teachers play in shaping young minds, Makoons World School offers ongoing training and support for educators, ensuring they are equipped with the latest teaching methods and techniques to deliver high-quality education.  The school is committed to leveraging the power of technology to enhance the learning experience. By integrating digital tools into everyday lessons, students are prepared to navigate and succeed in the digital age.

Makoons World School offers a range of programs catering to children from 1 to 12 years: These diverse offerings ensure that children of all ages have access to high-quality education tailored to their developmental needs. Makoons World School’s innovative approach has garnered significant recognition. The school has been awarded "Brand Icon of the Year" (2019), "Most Trusted & Promising Preschool Chain of the Year" (2019), and "Preschool Franchisor of the Year" (2023). These accolades reflect the school's commitment to excellence in education and its growing influence in the Indian educational sector.

By combining cutting-edge teaching methods with a focus on the all-round development of students, Makoons World School is setting a new benchmark for K-12 education in India, positioning itself as a leader in shaping the future of education in the country.

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 emphasises fostering a holistic, inclusive, and supportive education system that nurtures the academic, social, and emotional growth of every student. A shining example of this vision is the Buddy System initiative implemented at PM SHRI KV No. 1 IIT Kharagpur, designed to promote collaboration, mentorship, and community among students.

The Buddy System creates a dynamic learning environment where students of diverse abilities collaborate, fostering a culture of inclusion and mutual aid. Through this initiative, senior students serve as mentors, guiding their junior counterparts—mentees—not only academically but also socially, promoting interpersonal growth for both groups.

The program provides mentees with personalised academic guidance, enabling them to address challenges with support tailored to their needs. Senior students develop key life skills such as leadership, resilience, and empathy as they mentor their juniors.  

The initiative nurtures a sense of belonging and camaraderie, bridging gaps between students across grades and abilities.  

Beyond academics, the Buddy System encourages social and emotional growth, equipping students to thrive in collaborative settings.  

Aligning with NEP 2020’s focus on inclusion and equity, the Buddy System ensures that no child is left behind. This initiative helps students achieve their academic goals while simultaneously cultivating critical life skills such as problem-solving, communication, and teamwork. The dual-role framework of mentors and mentees exemplifies the policy’s commitment to building an education system that values collaboration over competition.

As initiatives like the Buddy System flourish, they set a benchmark for how schools can integrate NEP 2020’s principles into their curricula effectively. The program at PM SHRI KV No. 1 IIT Kharagpur is a model for fostering holistic development, ensuring that students grow as empathetic, self-reliant individuals ready to face real-world challenges. With such innovative approaches, India’s education system is progressively realizing the transformative aspirations of NEP 2020, creating well-rounded individuals who are not just academically proficient but also socially responsible.

In a testament to the transformative goals of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Nikhil Thakur, a Class XI student from PM SHRI KV 14 Subathu School, clinched a gold medal in Kabaddi at the Khelo Bharat Youth National Championship 2024-25 held in Goa. This victory underscores NEP’s emphasis on integrating sports into the educational framework to foster holistic development.  

The NEP 2020 reimagines education as a means to nurture physical, mental, and social well-being alongside academic excellence. Nikhil's achievement showcases the impact of this policy, demonstrating how sports can cultivate essential life skills such as teamwork, perseverance, and discipline. His journey reflects the seamless integration of sports and education, a cornerstone of the NEP 2020 vision.  

Through rigorous training and determination, Nikhil not only excelled in academics but also demonstrated exceptional prowess in Kabaddi, earning him national recognition. As he gears up to represent India at the International Championship in Nepal, his story highlights: Sports as a tool for building resilience and well-being. Opportunities to pursue sports alongside traditional studies. The role of schools in fostering a conducive environment for excellence.  

The NEP's initiative to elevate sports as a critical element of education is evident in stories like Nikhil’s. By aligning curriculum with extracurricular activities, the policy aims to prepare students for global challenges while ensuring their all-round development. Nikhil Thakur’s inspiring achievement is a shining example of how NEP 2020 is revolutionising education to create well-rounded future leaders.

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