Frequently Asked Questions

The top leadership in the education sector is on the vanguard of transformation with K12 going digital. Educators are aware that they will need to stay agile to embrace this digital disruption if they want to shape their academic centre into an ‘institute of excellence’. To accomplish this, educators need to build leadership skills and professional school management capabilities.

IIM Calcutta’s Education Leaders’ Programme for Educators and Academic Professionals is an attempt to build and enhance this leadership skills and management know-how across school educators and academic professionals in India.

The programme helps build leadership capacity and professional school management capabilities. Participants can

• Transition into a change-maker and reform the learning ecosystem of your educational institution
• Improve learning outcomes through effective management
• Shape their school as an 'institute of excellence’ under their leadership
• Empower peers to work collectively towards transformational goals

• IIM Calcutta Advantage: Get certified by IIM Calcutta, ranked #1 in BT-MDRA Best B-School 2023, Fortune India Best B-School Survey 2023, Open Magazine's Best B-School Survey 2024, and First B-School in India to get accreditation by EQUIS, AMBA and AACSB
• Experiential Learning: Leverage distinctive pedagogy of case studies, workshops, and campus visits, with lounge sessions for doubts and peer interaction
• Accomplished Faculty: Learn from IIM Calcutta Faculty, experts in Business Leadership, Communication and Change Management practices
• Executive Alumni Status: Become an Alumnus of IIM Calcutta Executive Education and network with top professionals
• Most-preferred Learning Platform: Learn on TalentSprint's award-winning Pracademic Platform, the best-in-class interactive AI-powered digital delivery platform.
• Network with Leaders: Learn with an outstanding peer group of educators.

The programme is best suited for

• An educator (principals/ administrator) belonging to elementary, secondary and senior secondary levels of education
• A senior teacher, aspiring to be a school leader in the future.
• An entrepreneur in the education space or a senior executive working in the EdTech space.

The programme will be taught by the esteemed IIM Calcutta Faculty. To meet your future mentors, visit here

The programme will be delivered in an interactive online format, retaining effectiveness while maintaining safety. The format uniquely combines the benefits of an in-class programme with the flexibility and safety of online learning.

• Synchronous programme delivery by expert faculty
• Interact and get doubts answered by faculty
• Peer learning through working in groups with other participants
• Support from mentors for projects
• Re-attend classes through recorded archives
• Access videos easily with searchable and indexed video archives
• Learn from the comfort and safety of your home
• Office hours with one-on-one mentor support

Your peer group will be entrepreneurs, executives, directors and administrators in the education space, principals and senior teachers of K12 institutions.

This is an expertise building programme for experienced professionals. You will obtain a certification from IIM Calcutta, a globally recognized B-School in India.

A certificate of successful completion is provided upon completion of all requirements of the program. All examinations and evaluations related to the certification are carried out by IIM Calcutta.

Yes, participants of this programme get an Executive Alumni status of IIM Calcutta, one of the top-ranked B-Schools in Asia.

The programme format with LIVE Interactive Sessions, capstones, group projects and case study analysis enables a conducive environment to network with your peers in the cohort. Most participants can continue to network even after the cohort by using the alumni portal.

As an Institution of National Importance, IIM Calcutta enjoys autonomous status under the MHRD. This program is a fully approved certificate program offered through IIM Calcutta's Executive Education.

All participants are required to execute, before the start of the program, an agreement that consists of the standard programme Terms and Conditions. It has the following components:

Part A: Etiquette and Platform Rights
Classroom Etiquette & General Policy Guidelines
Tools and Platforms in Use
Tools and Platforms: Terms of Use
Part B: Honor Code
Part C: Certification
Part D: Programme Fee, Refund, and Termination Policy

Candidates will be selected based on the details of education, work experience, and a statement of purpose submitted along with the application.

A Relationship Manager will be assigned to the applicant, who will gather all the necessary information and represent his/her candidature to the selection committee for review. The profiles will be sent to IIM Calcutta for selection.

Applicants must

• Hold a Bachelor's/Master’s degree in any discipline with a minimum 50% marks
• Have a minimum of 10 years of experience if you are an entrepreneur, a director, an executive or administrator in the education space
• Have a minimum of 10 years of experience if you are a senior teacher or a school principal

Join in these easy steps:

• Share your details and apply for the programme
• Submit all the necessary documents
• The programme selection committee will evaluate your candidature
• Upon selection, complete your enrollment and join the programme

The programme is divided into the following eight modules:

Module 1: Education Sector Context, Policy, and Practice

In today's dynamic educational landscape, school leaders and education sector executives encounter multifaceted challenges arising from an interplay of factors related to education, politics, and socio-economic conditions. It is vital to effectively navigate complex decision-making scenarios, foster equitable learning environments, and adequately prepare oneself to lead institutions through times of rapid change and uncertainty. This module will endeavor to introduce participants of this course to the complexities of their business environment and shall involve sessions on the topics such as:

• Introduction to Education Sector Management
• Education and the Political Economy
• Education and the Socio-economic Structure
• Education in times of uncertainty and complexity

Module 2: Leadership Skills

This module is designed to develop leadership skills which are essential for any organizational success. The participants will be exposed to different facets of leadership and its application during uncertain times. Specifically, this module will guide education leaders to apply lessons and best practices from other sectors as well as to strategically think and manage change during crisis. Further, it will help them discover, develop, or harness their leadership style to steer their organizations to greater success. This module will involve sessions on the topics such as:

• Leadership Style and Vision: Theory & Practice
• Strategic Thinking for Turbulent Times
• Conflict and Crisis Management
• Leading Change and Innovation
• Organizational Culture

Module 3: Business Management Skills

This module intends to build the foundations of management skills for education leaders. Lessons from management of the firm inform and are, in turn, informed by the tenets of effective educational management. Participants will immerse themselves in the realm of business administration, gaining insights and competencies to run their own organizations more effectively. Specifically, they will be introduced to the economics of business and understand tools and frameworks related to project management, and marketing alongside digital marketing strategies. Particularly, this module will include sessions on the following topics

• Business Economics
• Project Management and Operations
• Marketing Management
• Digital Marketing

Module 4: Financial Skills

This module aims to inculcate financial skills within the education leadership. The main objective is to help participants understand the financial health of their institutes, plan, control and make informed decisions. In particular, they will learn to analyze annual reports, manage cost, prepare budget, make decisions and control the risk. This module will include sessions on the following key topics:

• Financial Statement Analysis
• Cost Management
• Budgeting and Risk Management

Module 5: Stakeholder Management

This module focuses stakeholder management skills relevant to the leaders of education sector. This includes managing internal stakeholders such as teachers and staff, recruiting them, identifying their training needs, and embedding ethics and values within organizations. It would also focus on managing external stakeholders such as parents, vendors, media, and others through proper networking, communication, and persuasion. More specifically, this module will comprise sessions on the following topics:

• Human Resource Management, Recruitment & Development
• Communication and Persuasion
• Business Values and Ethics for School Leaders

Module 6: Data, Descriptive Stats, Decision Making

In the current, ever-evolving, and data-progressive business environment it is imperative for education leaders to engage in evidence-based decision making. The objective of this module is to enhance participants' ability to utilize data effectively in decision-making processes within educational settings. By exploring national and international data sources, analytical and statistical tools, as well as issues pertaining to the ethics and safety around data-use, participants shall develop the skills and knowledge necessary to make informed decisions, drive organizational growth, and improve educational outcomes. This module will comprise sessions on the following topics:

• National and International Data and Analysis
• Business Analytics for Growth
• Evaluation Methods
• Data Literacy in Schools

Module 7: Education Technology

This module is essential for education leaders to stay abreast of advancements in educational technology and its implications for teaching and learning. By exploring topics such as technology integration in classrooms, digitization, entrepreneurship in education, and cyber risk and security, leaders can effectively navigate the digital landscape, foster innovation, and ensure the safety and security of digital learning environments for students and staff alike. This module will comprise sessions on the following topics:

• Technology in Classrooms
• Digitization and Entrepreneurship in Education
• Cyber risk and security

Module 8: Education Sector Context, Policy, and Practice – II

Discussing public policy issues and national education policies is crucial for several reasons. Firstly, understanding the broader policy landscape allows leaders to align their strategies with national priorities and mandates. Secondly, it empowers them to advocate for effective policies that address the needs of diverse stakeholders and drive positive change within the education system. The concluding module shall focus on dialogues and discourses on the wider educational context, trends, and policies, including but not limited to the following topics:

• Education Policy and Research Trends
• National Policies such as the National Education Policy (2020)
• Future of the Education Sector

Classes starting from June 2025

Its an 8-month programme comprising of

• 2 Campus Visits of 4 days each to IIM Calcutta
• Live Interactive Sessions by IIM Calcutta Faculty once in a week (Sunday)
• Best-in-class Self-learning Content, Case Studies, and Lounge Sessions

The programme will be delivered through faculty-led interactive live sessions on TalentSprint’s ipearl.ai. These online sessions will be held at a schedule convenient for working professionals. Participants will be able to interact with the faculty through video, audio, and chat. They will also be able to chat with fellow participants of the programme during online sessions.

Participants need a minimum overall attendance of 75% in order to complete the programme. Participants will not be awarded any certificate if they do not maintain the requisite attendance. In this case the status of the participant will be "incomplete".

If a participant misses a class and is marked absent, the recorded archive of the same will be provided for 7 days from the date of the class.

The evaluation methodology shall be a mix of four examination components based on multiple choice questions (MCQs) and one group project component. Each of these components will be separately evaluated on a four-point grading structure: Excellent, Good, Fair and/or Poor.

Yes, participants are required to have their laptops.

Reading material (pre/post session) will be shared regularly through the Online Learning Management System. The access will be available for 1 year from the date of the commencement of the programme.

A certificate of successful completion is provided upon completion of all requirements of the programme. All examinations and evaluations related to the certification are carried out by IIM Calcutta.

For programme fee-related details, please visit Fee page

Yes, flexible EMI options are available that enable you to pay the programme fee in instalments. Please reach out to your RM to know about the details of the schemes available.

For scholarship-related details please visit fee page You can also reach out to your RM for more details.

No, the application fee is non-refundable.

No. The programme fee is non-refundable and non-transferable under any circumstances.

Professionals have multiple options for funding.

• Sponsored by employer
• Self-funded: Based on our experience of enabling 3000+ professionals who have participated in our executive programs, self-funding is the most preferred option with over 80% choosing this.

Three key reasons why professionals opt for it:

• Freedom: To opt for a programme of their choice, at a time of their choice, with an institution of their choice and not be restrained by the organization’s policy.
• Flexibility: To pursue greater career opportunities well even beyond their current employer or to nurture their entrepreneurial ambitions.
• Funding: Access to flexible EMI schemes.

We have also observed that the commitment levels were higher among self-funding participants.

ipearl.ai (Interactive Platform for Experiential and Remote Learning) is created by TalentSprint’s engineering team led by our Chief Technology Officer, an IIT Kanpur alumni. The platform integrates best-in-class open source technologies and SaaS services and perfected them over the last seven years.

When this platform was built, we intended to offer it to our partners and customers for digital learning and delivery. Since 2013, the platform has been extensively used by IIM Calcutta, IIT Kanpur, IIIT Hyderabad and IIT Hyderabad, and many more of our customers and partners. To date, more than 300,000 students have used this platform, which is reputed for user experience, quality, and scale.

This feature-rich platform has become so popular that some of our partners are now using it for their academic needs.

The tried and tested direct-to-device platform enables 24 x 7 learning for its users. Some key benefits of the platform are:

• Intuitive student experience through a user-friendly LMS
• Seamless faculty experience through state-of-the-art Studios
• Highly Interactive Online Classes
• Effective group/peer learning/projects through Breakout Rooms
• Proctored Online Assessments with detailed analysis
• Insightful Reports on student engagement and performance
• Flexible integration with other components, as needed

A comparative study of iPearl.ai against Canvas, Impartus, Moodle, Google Classroom, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom was conducted. Features in the following categories were compared:

• Instructor-led Learning
• Self-paced Learning
• Assessments/Evaluations
• User Experience
• Customer Support
• Scalability and Performance
• Integration and Customization
• Others

You will be given one-time access to watch the missed session. This recording will only be available for 7 days from the day of the actual session.

• An internet-connected device, Computer/Laptop/Tablet/Smartphone, is enough to access the platform.
• Web camera and Mic with necessary power backup will be needed for proctored online assessments.

• 50+ Years of Academic Excellence
• Triple Accredited: First B-School in India to get accreditation by EQUIS, AMBA and AACSB
• Ranked #1 in BT-MDRA Best B-School 2023, Fortune India Best B-School Survey 2023, Open Magazine's Best B-School Survey 2024
• Ranked #5 in NIRF India Ranking 2024
• Member of CEMS: Only Indian B-School to be part of this global alliance of leading business schools, multinational companies and NGOs
• Ranked #65 in QS Global MBA Rankings
• Unmatched Alumni Network

The Indian Institute of Management Calcutta was established as the first national institute for Post Graduate Studies and Research in Management by the Government of India in November 1961, in collaboration with Alfred P. Sloan School of Management (MIT), the Government of West Bengal, The Ford Foundation, and the Indian Industry. Over the years, IIM Calcutta has grown into a mature institution with a global reputation, imparting high-quality management education. It has been playing a pioneering role in professionalizing Indian management through its Post Graduate and Doctoral level Programmes, Executive Training Programmes, Research and Consulting Activities. For more information please visit the IIM Calcutta website.