September 16th 2025.
When there's a fresh pot of coffee brewing and sitting on the table, you know that a good conversation is bound to follow. Such was the case for the second edition of Conversations Over Coffee, a gathering that focused on exploring the potential of the school timetable as a powerful tool in education. The event was hosted by the team at Pragnya Bodhini and made possible with the support of Dr. Amrita Vohra. The round table took place at Adani Gems, where participants came together with the aim of reimagining how timetables could transform the learning experience for students.
The dialogue kicked off with inspiring examples of unique timetables from around the world, sparking a lively brainstorming session on ideas that could better prepare students for the real world. From incorporating community engagement and global citizenship to speech and drama, design thinking, movement and dance, brain gym, and even "Drop Everything and Read" sessions, the ideas shared a common goal of making school days more vibrant, balanced, and meaningful.
The group also delved into the role of teachers' free periods, reframing them as opportunities for reflection and enrichment. Ideas ranged from reviewing student profiles and watching TED Talks to practicing mindfulness and even engaging in "rage room" stress relief. Breaks were also reimagined with creativity in mind, with suggestions such as having munching breaks, humor breaks, and even daydreaming breaks to improve productivity and well-being.
"Our conversation highlighted the multitude of ways that a timetable can be anything but boring when the focus remains on the learners," shared the facilitators. The round table was designed and moderated by Mrs. Seema Shaikh and Ms. Anjum Panna from Pragnya Bodhini High School, bringing together diverse voices from the education sector. This included Ushavati Shetty, founder of CforCenergy, Dawood Vaid and Shazia Vaid representing open schools, school counselor and psychologist Renu Nargunde, renowned author Zarin Virji, committed social worker Narayan AB Iyer, principals Sangeeta Srivastava and Rekha Shahani from a state board school, Utsav Tiwari, CEO of Rahul International group of schools and college, educator and NGO facilitator Ashif Vadsaria, Disha Shrivastav, CEO of the quality assessment team at Adhyayan, and Avdooth Samant representing parents. Their insights and reflections made for a wholesome and inspiring exchange.
A special thank you was extended to Francis Joseph and Amruta Vohra, both pillars of Adani Gems Education, whose support helped shape the conversation into a rich and thoughtful exchange. As the session came to a close, one thing was clear: the seemingly humble timetable, often seen as a rigid grid of periods and subjects, has the potential to become a dynamic canvas for creativity, joy, and learner-centric growth.
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