Event

 Boarding Schools’ Association of India in  collaboration with Education World  and Sadhbhavana World School,  Calicut successfully hosted the Education Leadership Retreat (ELR) 2026 from February 5 to 7 in Wayanad, Kerala. The three-day immersive retreat brought together school founders, principals, academic leaders, and education changemakers from across India to reconnect with the core purpose of education and explore transformative leadership for future-ready schools. Held amidst the natural landscapes of Wayanad, the retreat was anchored in the theme “R.O.O.T.S. – Connecting Thoughtful Leaders to Purposeful Schooling”, emphasising reflection, ownership, transformation, and sustainability in school leadership. The retreat commenced on Day 1 (Reconnection) with the arrival of delegates and an opening Circle of Purpose, setting the intellectual and ethical compass for the journey ahead. The inaugural session featured insights from Dr. K.E. Harish, CEO, Sadhbhavana World School, and Captain A.J. Singh, President, BSAI, underscoring the importance of values-driven leadership. The day concluded with a cultural evening highlighting the role of arts and creativity as anchors of education, followed by curated leadership conversations over dinner. Day 2 (Outlook & Ownership) focused on inner leadership, institutional strategy, and systemic impact. The day began with mindfulness and wellness sessions led by yoga master Prashanth, reinforcing the importance of emotional balance and resilience in leadership. A formal welcome address by Dr. K.E. Harish marked the continuation of the retreat’s learning journey. Key sessions included “From Administration to Academic Stewardship” by Dilip Thakore, Editor & Publisher, EducationWorld, and “Anchoring Progress in Purpose” by enthusiasm specialist Suresh Srinivasan, highlighting the link between teacher well-being and high-performing schools. Leadership masterclasses, partner insight sessions, and multiple Circle of Knowledge dialogues explored themes such as disruptive schooling models, inclusive education, parent communication, AI in education, experiential learning, and competency-based pedagogy. A highlight of the day was the Panel of Perspectives on “Visibility vs Credibility – What School Leaders Must Get Right in Parent Communication”, featuring senior education leaders from across the country and moderated by Bhavin Shah, CEO, EducationWorld. The evening also witnessed the EducationWorld TREE Awards, recognising institutions demonstrating enduring leadership and long-term impact. Day 3 (Transformation & Sustainability) took learning beyond conference rooms into nature. Leaders participated in reflective forest walks, biodiversity observations, and optional nature encounters, drawing parallels between ecological systems and resilient school ecosystems. The retreat concluded with reflections on returning to schools with renewed purpose, clarity, and rooted leadership perspectives. Speaking on the occasion, Dr. K.E. Harish said, “The Education Leadership Retreat is not about information transfer, but inner transformation. Leadership today demands alignment between purpose, people, and practice.” The retreat was supported by knowledge partners Britannica Education and Intellicraft AI, reinforcing the integration of academic depth with future-facing innovation. The Education Leadership Retreat 2026 reaffirmed the growing need for reflective, humane, and purpose-driven leadership in Indian schooling—leadership that balances academic excellence with well-being, innovation with tradition, and vision with grounded execution.