Kids Age congratulates
Mrs. Fatema Tinwala
Principal, Applewoods International School, Ahmedabad, GJ
as the winner of the
TOP 100 NATIONAL PRINCIPAL AWARDS – 2026
for the worthy contribution in educating the youngest learning population of the nation.
The Role of a Principal
in Shaping Future Leaders
As the Principal of Applewoods International School, Ahmedabad, I have often reflected on what it truly means to lead a school. People generally associate the role of a principal with assemblies, admissions, meetings, inspections, and maintaining discipline. While these are important responsibilities, they are only a part of what the role truly represents. For me, the greatest responsibility is helping children grow into confident, responsible, and compassionate individuals who are ready to face life.
Every morning, as I welcome students at the school gate, I am reminded that every child enters with a different story. Some arrive full of excitement, some are nervous, and some simply need a warm smile before they begin their day. These small moments may seem ordinary, but they build trust. Education begins with relationships, and leadership begins with making every child feel that they belong.
A principal cannot shape future leaders by sitting inside an office. Leadership is visible in the corridors, classrooms, playgrounds, and in every interaction with students, teachers, and parents. Children observe us more than we realise. They notice how we speak to others, how we handle challenges, and how we respond when mistakes happen. Long before they remember our speeches, they remember our actions.
Over the years, I have realised that leadership is not something we teach in one special period. It develops through everyday experiences. A child who helps a classmate, accepts responsibility after making a mistake, speaks respectfully during a disagreement, or confidently presents an idea in front of the class is already learning what leadership means.
Academic excellence will always remain important, but marks alone cannot define success. Our children need communication, teamwork, creativity, adaptability, and emotional intelligence along with academic knowledge. Schools must therefore create opportunities where students can think independently, ask questions, solve problems, and work together. These experiences prepare them not only for examinations but for life itself.
One lesson I have learnt as a school leader is that children learn more from the atmosphere around them than from instructions given to them. If a school consistently promotes kindness, respect, honesty, and discipline, students naturally absorb these values. A positive school culture is not created through posters on the walls but through the behaviour of every adult in the building.
Teachers are at the heart of this journey. A motivated teacher can inspire curiosity, build confidence, and even change the direction of a child’s life. As principals, one of our greatest responsibilities is to support our teachers, encourage continuous learning, and appreciate their sincere efforts. When teachers feel respected and trusted, they pass the same confidence on to their students.
Parents are equally important partners in education. Schools and families may have different responsibilities, but they share the same goal—the overall development of the child. Regular communication, mutual respect, and understanding create a strong support system. When children receive consistent guidance both at home and at school, they become more confident and secure.
Parents are equally important partners in education. Schools and families may have different responsibilities, but they share the same goal—the overall development of the child. Regular communication, mutual respect, and understanding create a strong support system. When children receive consistent guidance both at home and at school, they become more confident and secure.
Technology has undoubtedly changed the way we teach and learn. Digital resources and smart classrooms have opened new possibilities, but no technology can replace empathy, encouragement, or meaningful human interaction. Children still need teachers who believe in them, parents who support them, and school leaders who create an environment where every child feels seen and valued.
We must also remember that every child is unique. Some shine in academics, while others discover their strengths in sports, music, art, leadership, or public speaking. It is our responsibility to recognise these talents and provide opportunities for every learner to succeed. A school should never make a child feel that only high marks determine success.
The National Education Policy 2020 has encouraged schools to move towards competency-based and experiential learning. This is a welcome step because education should prepare children not only for the next examination but also for the challenges and opportunities they will face in the future. Our classrooms must become places where curiosity is encouraged, creativity is appreciated, and learning becomes meaningful.
Looking back on my journey in education, I have realised that the happiest moments are not always the annual results or award ceremonies. They are the moments when a shy child finds the confidence to speak on stage, when students voluntarily help one another, when teachers celebrate each other’s success, or when parents share that their child has become more responsible at home. These are the achievements that truly matter.
The role of a principal is not to create followers but to create an environment where every child has the confidence to lead in their own way. Some may become doctors, engineers, entrepreneurs, artists, or teachers. More importantly, I hope they become honest citizens, compassionate human beings, and lifelong learners.
The role of a principal is not to create followers but to create an environment where every child has the confidence to lead in their own way. Some may become doctors, engineers, entrepreneurs, artists, or teachers. More importantly, I hope they become honest citizens, compassionate human beings, and lifelong learners.
— Mrs. Fatema Tinwala
Principal,
Applewoods International School, Ahmedabad
AWARD WINNERS OF 2022-23
