Insights from India’s international schools - and why forums like Bett Asia and TAISI’s Annual Conference matter now more than ever.
Over the last decade, I’ve watched Indian international schools evolve, boldly and thoughtfully. We’ve seen large investments in infrastructure, pedagogy, and digital platforms. But what defines innovation isn’t hardware or flashy tools; it’s the purpose that drives their use. As Chairperson of The Association of International Schools of India (TAISI), I’ve had the opportunity to engage with school leaders across the country, and what’s become clear is this: true innovation in education is never accidental. It must be intentional, inclusive, and deeply human.
Our schools are shaping futures in an era defined by AI, climate urgency, and economic flux. But this isn’t just about preparing students to survive what’s coming, it’s about helping them build what comes next. Technology, when meaningfully embedded, becomes a lens through which learners discover confidence, collaboration, and conscience.
At TAISI, we’ve seen this shift take root at every level of learning. In early years, children are using visual tools not just to code, but to tell stories, express feelings, and build logic intuitively. Middle schoolers are using AR and global classrooms to understand history, geography, and community like never before. Senior students are debating ethical AI, launching prototypes, and forming real-world collaborations across borders.
But let’s be clear: this transformation is not the result of standalone apps or programs. It’s a reflection of a culture, a shared mindset that values curiosity over compliance and creativity over conformity. That’s the kind of culture we must build together.
It’s been especially encouraging to witness the cross-school collaboration emerging across the TAISI network. Educators are sharing resources, co-developing modules, and lifting each other’s capacities in ways that would’ve seemed aspirational a few years ago. Events like Bett Asia and the TAISI Conference have become catalysts for this energy because they don’t just spotlight the what, they challenge us to reflect on the why.
As educators and leaders, our responsibility goes beyond integrating technology; we must interrogate it. Are we using it to amplify human potential or automate it? Are we fostering independent thought and ethical leadership? Are we empowering students not just to keep pace with change, but to direct its course with empathy and purpose?
Indian international schools may not have all the answers, but we are asking the right questions. In times like these, that is where leadership begins.
Our Call to Action: Join the Conversation at TAISI 2025. The TAISI Annual Conference is not just an event, it’s a gathering of shared purpose. A space where ideas are exchanged, challenges are confronted, and the future of learning is co-authored by those who dare to dream responsibly.
Join us this September in Bengaluru, as we reimagine education for a world that needs it more than ever. TAISI Conference 2025 | September | Bengaluru
Learn more: www.taisi.org
