With her 25 years of experience in the field of education, both as teacher and administrator, now the director (Business and Operations) at Treamis World School, in Bangalore, Dakshayini Kanna is engaged in an 'experiment' — to have the best of many worlds in education, be it teaching teachers or school management or the delicate skills of teaching students of all classes.
Throughout her career, Ms Kanna has been more into setting up and  managing schools and academies than mere teaching in the classroom. The gold medalist from Bangalore University wants to blend academics from the Indian perspective with the best practices of the educational institutions from around the world.
With a strange mix of affection and a born-administrator's efficiency exuding from her eyes, she says: “Today's education should aim at increasing student's knowledge of the world, its demands, its people and the culture. This would be only possible by collaboration and dialogue between schools of different countries. Such efforts have been successful in higher education but such efforts are hardly visible at the school level. At TREAMIS we have tie-ups with two US schools - Morgan Park Academy and Lake Forest Academy, to facilitate exchange of students as well as development of pedagogy. This arrangement brings in a truly international perspective into our teaching.”
Her foray into teaching was because of the interest in education she inherited from her parents who were also into teaching. She served as principal of VIBGYOR High in Bangalore. Later she was in Alliance Business Academy as consultant - business development and corporate relations, before she became regional director of Rai University and Rai Business School in Bangalore.
"Home is not a first school now as majority of mothers and fathers will be working. Hence, the schools have to do more than teaching. The schools have to groom the personality of the students," says Ms Kanna.
Reflecting on the  education system prevailing in India, she says, children even after hours of learning will be unable to translate their knowledge into action. They are not able to relate their learning in class rooms to real life experience. That's where Indian students lag behind. In abroad, the practice comes along with theory class from their preliminary schooling. Hence they are good at practical skills. Another lacuna of education system, as an industry in India is, she says, "poor  marketing skills. Though we have good qualities, we do not know to plan."
Comparing government schools with private educational institutions, Ms Kanna says, teachers can not pay attention to the individual as she will be teaching some 75 students at a time.
The parents, especially in urban areas, are willing to spend a lot to put their children in the best academic environment. Hence, numerous private institutions are spearheading innovative educational initiatives, she adds.
Gender is not a problem to spearhead administrative initiatives of educational institutions, says the mother of two, reviewing her 25 years of service.
Gone are the days when taboos restricted functioning of women in management sector. Her plans for future include opening an orphanage children, an old age home and animal shelter. Kudos to one of the successful women entrepreneurs of India, Ms Kanna.