NPSC Conference 2025 Focuses on Conflict Resolution and Peace Education -

NPSC Conference 2025 brought together leading educators, policymakers, and cultural figures on April 25 and 26, 2025, to spotlight conflict management, peacebuilding, and innovation in schools. Organized by the National Progressive Schools Conference (NPSC), the two-day event united over 250 CBSE-affiliated Senior Secondary Schools to rethink how education can foster more peaceful, collaborative environments.

Opening Ceremony: A Strong Start for NPSC Conference 2025

The NPSC Conference 2025 opened with a choir performance by Summer Fields School, Gurugram, setting a positive and thoughtful tone.
Asha Prabhakar, Chairperson of NPSC and Principal of Bal Bharati Public School, Noida, delivered the welcome address, stressing the need for peace-driven education models to handle rising conflicts within schools.

Chief Guest Padma Shri Shobhana Bhartia, Chairperson and Editorial Director of HT Media, emphasized the media’s critical role in supporting equitable and peace-oriented educational narratives.

The inaugural address by Prof. Edward Vickers, UNESCO Chair for Education for Peace, Kyushu University, mapped out global approaches for embedding social justice and peace into academic curricula, perfectly aligning with the spirit of NPSC Conference 2025.

Celebrating Educators and New Milestones

Highlighting the importance of excellence in education, Dr Ameeta Mulla Wattal was honoured with the Lifetime Achievement Award for her outstanding contribution to educational leadership and innovation.

NPSC Secretary Mallika Preman presented the Annual Report, showcasing key achievements over the year, while the release of a new NPSC publication marked another proud moment for the community.

Core Sessions That Defined NPSC Conference 2025

Session 1: Understanding Conflict in Schools

The first session, “Conflict Resolution in Focus,” featured experts like Dr Payal Kumar, Dr Kavita Sharma, Dr Amit Sen, and Prof. Edward Vickers.
They explored causes of conflict, the role of school leadership, and the cultural dimensions that influence disputes, stressing the need for empathy and collaborative solutions in every school setting.

Session 2: Creating Peaceful Schools

In “Peaceful Schools for National Prosperity,” cultural leaders such as Padma Shri Geetha Chandran and Sohail Hashmi urged schools to align co-curricular activities like art, dance, and sports with peace education to nurture emotionally intelligent students.

Session 3: Communication as a Key to Conflict Resolution

In a unique masterclass, Sudarshan Rodrigues and Dr Annie Koshi trained attendees on moving from “active listening” to “deep listening,” a technique vital for resolving conflicts before they escalate.

A Lively Second Day at NPSC Conference 2025

Day 2 began with a captivating ventriloquist performance by Santhosh, combining humour and storytelling with lessons on effective communication for conflict management.

Session 4: Technology’s Role in Education

Sudhanshu Trivedi, Member of Parliament, discussed digital infrastructure and policy frameworks needed for integrating technology in classrooms responsibly, making schools future-ready for a digital world.

Session 5: Navigating Cyber Conflicts

Pawan Duggal, Bhaskar Basu from Microsoft, and IPS Hemant Tiwari led a powerful dialogue on managing conflicts in the cybersphere, with Ashok Pandey moderating a discussion on ethical AI use, cybersecurity, and responsible online behavior in schools.

Session 6: Literature and Empathy

“Voices from the Bard” was an interactive session led by Dr Ameeta Mulla Wattal. Using Shakespearean role-play, educators and students explored memory, metaphor, and empathy as tools for conflict resolution.

Session 7: Collaborative Conflict Resolution

In a special session, principals from prestigious schools and student ambassadors collaborated to discuss effective classroom conflict resolution methods, emphasizing shared leadership between teachers and students.

Chief Guest Rahul Singh, Chairman of CBSE, spoke about reforms in digital citizenship education, ensuring that schools build ethical and empathetic future citizens.

Cultural Finale and Reflection

The NPSC Conference 2025 closed with “Ekam Sat,” a spectacular cultural performance led by Padma Shri Prathibha Prahlad’s troupe. Through music, dance, and storytelling, the program celebrated India’s diversity and unity, sending a strong message about the power of cultural expression in building peaceful schools.

Conclusion: A Defining Step Towards Transformative Education

The NPSC Conference 2025 reinforced the urgency of embedding peace education, conflict management, and digital responsibility into school curricula. By merging emotional intelligence, cultural understanding, and technological literacy, the conference set a new benchmark for building school ecosystems that are resilient, empathetic, and ready for future challenges.

NPSC Conference 2025 Focuses on Conflict Resolution and Peace Education