Good Schools of India
Joy of Learning Weekly #75
Double Joy: The Snehlata Prize and the 75th edition of the Good Schools of India Weekly.
On July 24, 2026, at 5:00 PM, we celebrated Smt. Snehlata’s birthday at The English Book Depot and announced the Snehlata Prize for 2026, supported by SooNews. The prize honours those who embody Snehlata’s spirit.
This year’s winner, Mrs Brinda Ghosh, was recognised for her 47-year career in education, training thousands of teachers and inspiring many students. She has taught English Literature, theatre, and teacher training, and inspired countless young readers- truly a wonder woman. Tune in to the podcast to listen to the full story.
BOOKS OF THE WEEK
Potato Crisps at the Learning Forward Retreat 19-21 July 2026
Kratika and Sakshi from DPS Abu Road joined us for the Learning Forward Retreat, and their imaginary character goes to My Good School and grows up to become a scientist. He finds his way through school, negotiating between Service, Skill, Sport and Study - the 4S framework his school offers him.
Overall, this training has motivated me to become a better educator, strengthen my relationships with students and colleagues, and continue my journey of learning and self-improvement. Most importantly, it has rekindled my interest in reading, and I look forward to exploring more books that will help me grow both personally and professionally. Thank you for providing such a meaningful and inspiring learning experience.
Sakshi Sharma, TGT Science, Delhi Public School, Abu Road.
Emerging Literacies Session July 18, 2026
Emerging Literacies Masterclass is hosted every Saturday at 5:30 PM by Sandeep Dutt.
The world has moved from a set menu to a buffet menu. Today, there are countless options before us in all the spaces, be it education, careers, technology, and life itself. But the future does not belong to those who have the most options. It belongs to those who can evaluate, prioritise, and make wise choices.
In a world of abundance, the ability to choose well is more valuable than the abundance of choices itself. Critical thinking, self-awareness, decision-making, discernment, and adaptability are no longer optional; these are essential life skills.
- Khushi Kumari, Lotus Petal Foundation
Sometimes all it takes is catching someone at the right moment with the right amount of urgency, pressure or trust. And the book, Bharat Bluff, explores the world of scams and fraud through real experiences, including incidents that Soumya and her husband encountered themselves; that is why meeting an author is always interesting: hearing the experiences that shaped a book adds another layer to the reading experience. It reminds us that behind every published work is a person who has observed, experienced, and chosen to turn those moments into something others can learn from.
Thanks to Bookstores, they often introduce us to new books, stories and people.
Perhaps that’s the biggest takeaway from today’s meet and greet - Awareness isn’t about being suspicious of everything. It’s about knowing that anyone can be caught off guard and that staying informed is one of the simplest ways to protect ourselves.
-Sneha
To discuss the future of work and AI’s impact on jobs.
Key Takeaways
AI’s Threat to Jobs: AI’s ability to hack human biology (emotions, decisions) and its non-human advantages (connectivity, updatability) threaten even creative and cognitive roles, not just physical ones.
The “Useless Class”: A new class of people may emerge who are economically redundant, not just from job loss but from a lack of emotional stamina to cope with constant retraining and career volatility.
The Human Edge: Jobs requiring complex motor skills, empathy (e.g., nursing, caregiving), and dealing with unforeseen scenarios are more resistant to automation.
New Session Format: The session is now a direct-link meeting with no registration, simplifying access. Recordings and notes are on the My Good School YouTube channel.
Learning Forward Saturday session focused on a reading and reflection exercise about teacher Roma, exploring themes of emotional support, classroom relationships, and the impact of a teacher’s presence. Participants shared reflections on the power of a smile and understanding students’ emotions. Brinda recapped last week’s reading on Roma’s handling of conflicts and building student connections. The group discussed Roma helping her class cope with the loss of teacher Sonam, highlighting teachers’ role in emotional support. The session included congratulations to Brinda for an award promoting reading. Participants were encouraged to reflect on their own experiences as students and teachers in challenging situations and building meaningful relationships.
A reading and reflection event at “My Good School” featured book readings and discussions. Brinda, a recipient of the Snehlata Prize, read from Gerald Durrell’s “My Family and Other Animals,” focusing on the family’s relocation to the Snow White Villa and Durrell’s observations of nature, including geckos and mantids. Jugjiv then read from “What You’re Looking For is in the Library,” discussing the protagonist Hiroya’s struggles with self-esteem and employment and his interactions at the library. Students shared their reflections on the readings, with many focusing on themes of curiosity, self-awareness, and avoiding comparisons with others. The session also included a discussion on the importance of libraries and personal growth.