When there’s coffee on the table, conversation is never far behind. After a successful first discussion on the creative use of textbooks, the second edition of Conversations Over Coffee turned its lens to a surprisingly powerful tool in education—the school timetable.
Hosted by the facilitation team at Pragnya Bodhini and supported by Dr. Amrita Vohra, the round table was held at Adani Gems, with the aim of reimagining how timetables could transform a learner’s experience.
The dialogue began with inspiring examples of timetables from across the globe, before branching into a lively brainstorming of ideas that could better prepare students for the real world. From community engagement and global citizenship to speech and drama, design thinking, movement and dance, brain gym, and even Drop Everything and Read (DEAR) sessions, the ideas reflected a shared desire to make school days more vibrant, balanced, and meaningful.
Participants also explored the role of teachers’ free periods—reframing them as opportunities for reflection and enrichment, ranging from reviewing student profiles and watching TED Talks to practicing mindfulness or even “rage room” stress relief. Breaks, too, were reimagined with creativity: munching breaks, humour breaks, and even daydreaming breaks were discussed as tools to improve productivity and wellbeing.
“This conversation showed us just how many ways a timetable can be un-boring when learners remain at the heart,” the facilitators shared.
This round table designed and moderated by Mrs. Seema Shaikh & Ms. Anjum Panna from Pragnya Bodhini High School, brought together diverse voices from the education sector, including
A fine collaborator – Ushavati Shetty founder CforCenergy
Dawood Vaid & Shazia vaid – representing open schools ,
A school counsellor & Psychologist Renu Nargunde, A renowned author Zarin Virji, Narayan AB Iyer a committed social worker ,
Sangeeta Srivastava & Rekha Shahani principals, of a state board school, Mr. Utsav Tiwari – The CEO of RAhul international group of schools &
college, Educator& NGO facilitator Mr. Ashif Vadsaria ,
Ms.Disha Shrivastav – CEO from quality assessment team of Adhyayan & Mr. Avdooth Samant representing parents.
Their insights and reflections made the exchange both wholesome and inspiring.
A special note of gratitude extended to Francis Joseph and Amruta Vohra both pillars of AdaniGems Education ,. The support of these two helped shape the conversation into a rich and thoughtful exchange.
As the session closed, one thing was clear: the 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.
