[Exclusive Interview] This Educational Platform From Yash Birla Group Has Expanded To 175+ Schools, 1 Lakh+ Students

Recently, we interacted with Mr. Nirvaan Birla, Managing Director, Birla Open Minds, that offers a comprehensive solution for education that envelopes the individual’s learning, right from the formative early years to K-12 schooling.

Here are the interview highlights:

Background and Vision:

• What inspired the establishment of Birla Open Minds, and how does it align with your vision for education?

Ans.  Birla Open Minds was inspired by a desire to create a high-quality education system in India. Education is a lifelong journey that has to be enriched. Thus, Birla Open Minds is determined to transform education by providing a diverse, well-researched curriculum with an inclusive learning environment from preschool to higher education in India. The goal is to nurture curiosity, critical thinking, and life skills, overcoming traditional education models. At Birla Open Minds, we’re getting them ready for whatever comes their way in the real world.

• How does Birla Open Minds distinguish itself from other educational institutions in its approach to learning?

Ans. At Birla Open Minds, we’re different from regular schools. We care about students and want them to learn in a way that helps them grow in every way. We focus on thinking, being creative, and learning practical skills. Our classes are fun and hands-on, not just memorizing stuff. We passionately uphold and revive the “joy of learning” and the creative energy, which Tagore described as the hallmark of childhood. We make sure each student gets the help they need to shine in their way. We use cool technology to make learning interesting and easy.

Educational Strategy and Curriculum:

• Can you describe the core principles of the curriculum at Birla Open Minds and how it caters to diverse learning needs?

Ans. The fundamental principle of Birla Open Minds is to tailor education to meet the necessities, interests, capabilities and learning styles of each child. For primary years, the goal is to bring out the essence of a holistic being. The focus is on innovation, invention and creativity. It is achieved through both scholastic and co-scholastic subjects which are offered to them. Mid-years follow a positive approach, taking the child from known to unknown, from concrete to abstract and from local to global. Our interdisciplinary approach fosters awareness towards the environment, economy and society. High school is the time for real-life connection. At this stage, Birla Open Minds offers a variety of routes for learners with a wide range of abilities.

• How has the curriculum evolved to keep pace with the changing educational landscape, especially in the context of technological advancements?

Ans.  Birla Open Minds has Birla Smart Schooling for BOMISites, consisting of 2D and 3D animated videos and simulations as students comprehend more and engage themselves with visuals and spatial representations. We include STEM-based learning since Science and Technology are integral to the process of modern education and learning.  A wide range of innovative methods, such as active learning, cooperative activities, inquiry and experience-based learning are used in the classroom. 

Impact and Outreach:

• What impact has Birla Open Minds had on the education sector in India, particularly in terms of its reach and influence?

Ans. Birla Open Minds has made a big impact on education in India, boasting a network of 175+ schools and 1 Lakh plus students. We have a modern approach to teaching. We have been ranking high among Indian schools. Our success inspires other schools and institutions and sets a precedent for innovative teaching methods. A strong focus is on teacher training and community engagement which further strengthens the educational ecosystem. We are determined to be a leading contributor to shaping the future of education in India, emphasizing quality, innovation and overall development for students.

• In your experience, what have been the most significant challenges in expanding the reach of Birla Open Minds, and how have you addressed them?

Ans. Catering to a vast segment like preschools and K-12s in India with a progressive curriculum is a challenge to overcome especially when it is not yet governed by any regulatory body.  The main challenge that we faced, however,  was to deliver the same level of adaptability to their peers across various tier cities, to make their parents understand the progressive nature of our curriculum. For instance, a parent from Mumbai will hold distinct expectations for their child compared to a parent in Chennai. So, maintaining uniformity in this cultural diversity was the initial issue faced by Birla Open Minds. Addressing it appropriately, Birla Open Minds developed a strong foundation and was ready for growth. We then brought together all our efforts under our Umbrella brand, Birla Open Minds. We expanded our horizon nationwide achieving an annual growth rate of 90%.

Collaboration and Expansion:

• What criteria do you use to select schools for collaboration or incorporation into the Birla Open Minds network?

Ans. There is a specific criteria for collaboration between schools with us. The space should be somewhere between 1200-2000 square feet and the total project cost including the franchise fee should be around INR 10-12 Lakh, offering a potential ROI of up to 200%. The preferred teacher-child ratio should be 1:15, the age group can vary from 8 months to 5 years. Also for setting up the franchise the other party has to have the same ideology as our brand’s mission. And as a process, we follow a strict evaluation process to give our franchise.  

• How do you envision the future growth of Birla Open Minds, particularly in international markets?

Ans. The school has already created and implemented a world-class curriculum. Now, the big goal is to grow Birla Open Minds to more than 1,000 schools all over India. With the help of our Edtech Platform, Birla Open Minds aims to have over 100,000 people paying for their services in India, Europe and America. Additionally, there is a vision to increase the number of company-owned and operated schools under Birla Open Minds to 65 within the next five years. This means more students will get access to quality education and it will be impactful in a much bigger way. It’s about expansion in reaching more students worldwide.

Role of Technology in Education:

• Can you elaborate on the inception and success of Birla Brainiacs, and how it complements the offerings of Birla Open Minds?

Ans. Birla Brainiacs has a solid education background, operating 150+ hybrid centres and providing specialized home tutors across India. More than just focusing on school subjects, they bring 42 years of expertise in education, offering various courses and skill development programs. They’re not just about traditional schooling; they blend it with homeschooling, making it comfortable for students to learn at home while still feeling like they’re in school. They are in 8 countries and include 20-25% international students and are actively looking to grow, especially in the Middle East, planning to establish schools in Saudi Arabia and Dubai. It offers Birls Open School a great opportunity to diversify our educational offerings and try out new and progressive methods of teaching. With their expertise, global presence and wanting their expansion in the Middle East, we can benefit from international exposure and enrich our educational approach.

Personal Insights and Future Plans:

• As an entrepreneur in the education sector, what have been your key learnings, and how have they shaped your leadership style?

Ans. Being an entrepreneur in education, I have learned a lot of lessons. Firstly, always remember change is the only constant in life. You have to be flexible; things change and we have to adapt to those changes. Also, innovation is a must; education evolves progressively as soon as you drill your brains into innovation. Everyone’s needs differ, thus, listening to others is vital. And very importantly, always lead with empathy as it will lead to a positive workplace. And never get scared of failures; it is a part of your journey. These lessons shaped my leadership style and made me adaptable, resilient, people-focused and purpose-driven.