In an era where education evolves at lightning speed, the quality of teaching determines the trajectory of learning. Recognising this fundamental truth, CHIREC International School has emerged as a pioneer in professional development, becoming the first school in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana to be authorised as a Centre for Cambridge Certification Programmes. At the heart of this achievement lies the Cambridge International Certificate in Teaching and Learning (CICTL), a transformative programme that’s redefining what it means to be an exceptional educator whilst delivering tangible results in the classroom.
CHIREC’s authorisation as a Cambridge Certification Centre in two categories—Teaching & Learning and Educational Leadership, marks a watershed moment for education in the region. Since 2020, the school has been empowering teachers not just with theoretical knowledge, but with practical tools that can be customised to their unique social, cultural and educational contexts. The programme targets educators committed to continuous reflection, collaboration and growth, providing the framework needed to support diverse learners through inclusive approaches whilst elevating professional knowledge across the teaching community.
CICTL’s true power lies in how it transforms everyday teaching practices. At CHIREC, this manifests through innovative, research-backed approaches that place learners at the centre of their educational journey.Interdisciplinary learning has become one of CHIREC’s key teaching strategies. Rather than teaching subjects as separate islands, teachers design classroom learning where concepts from different subjects are intentionally connected. CICTL strengthens this practice by equipping teachers with skills to connect topics and encourage students to draw links between prior learning and new knowledge. A practical example is a classroom project on local water usage, where students use mathematics to graph daily consumption, science to learn about water cycles and filtration, and English or social studies to write persuasive posters about conservation. This approach develops critical thinking whilst demonstrating practical application of knowledge.
Personalised learning forms another critical foundation, particularly in CHIREC’s early years experience. The CICTL programme equips teachers with skills to support learner-centred approaches, including differentiating instruction according to students’ individual needs. Teachers learn to understand how learning happens, differentiate resources to encourage motivation amongst diverse learners, and use formative assessment methods to monitor student progress and provide targeted feedback.
The impact of CICTL training extends far beyond teaching methodology—it directly supports outstanding academic achievement. This is particularly evident in CHIREC’s Cambridge IGCSE results, which stand as testament to the power of well-trained educators.
CICTL’s focus on enhanced pedagogical skills empowers teachers as “architects of learning excellence.” Teachers explore innovative teaching ideas whilst becoming reflective practitioners who continually evaluate their methods. The programme’s emphasis on active learning strategies proves crucial for developing deep subject understanding, whilst assessment expertise helps educators guide students through rigorous Cambridge examinations that demand both conceptual mastery and application skills.
The results speak volumes. In the recently announced IGCSE results, two students—Aadi Ramnani and Samarth Lamba, emerged as Global Toppers in Chemistry and Extended Mathematics, achieving perfect scores in both subjects. The highest percentage topper is Vihaan K Paidi, who achieved an impressive aggregate of 95%. An astounding 60% of students in the entire cohort achieved A* and A grades, reflecting the school’s commitment to nurturing excellence across the board and demonstrating how expert teaching translates directly into exceptional student outcomes.
CHIREC’s commitment to excellence extends beyond academics through its unique A3 framework, which nurtures student agency, adaptability and positive attitudes. Guided by the Whole Child Philosophy, the school emphasises holistic development where students are encouraged to express themselves, take initiatives and apply their learning to solve real-world problems.
Student agency flourishes as learners are placed at the centre of their educational journey, encouraged to explore interests through project-based and experiential interdisciplinary learning. A remarkable example is Releaf, an app developed by Grade 9 students that secured 8th place in a global online hackathon. The app uses AI to analyse satellite and drone imagery for environmental conservation, demonstrating how technology is woven into day-to-day learning from early classes through to hands-on experiences in the Robotics Lab.
Adaptability is fostered through CHIREC’s Innovation Hub (C-Hub), which empowers young learners to devise creative solutions to global challenges. The school’s collaboration with ISB provides an experiential learning platform where students develop business ventures designed for social impact, covering entrepreneurial topics from idea validation to pitch deck creation. Through this programme, students develop problem-solving abilities and financial literacy whilst working with mentors and pitching to investors.
Positive attitudes are cultivated through platforms like TEDx, MUN, CHIREC Radio and the Interact Club, where students develop leadership skills and global awareness. The Interact Club fosters empathy as students address social problems through creative solutions. Manya Agarwal’s Sign-Verse initiative promotes Indian Sign Language to bridge communication gaps, whilst Diya Loka’s E-Cycl initiative, which earned her the prestigious Diana Award—tackles e-waste through awareness campaigns. Social and Emotional Learning is implemented through an age-appropriate curriculum that builds competencies in self-awareness, relationship skills and responsible decision-making, ensuring every learner develops holistically.
CHIREC’s investment in CICTL reflects a broader philosophy: teachers must lead by example. As part of Cognita, one of the world’s leading school groups with 100+ schools across 16 countries, CHIREC benefits from global collaboration that drives exceptional educational practices. By becoming a Cambridge Certification Centre, CHIREC has committed to nurturing a culture where professional growth is continuous and collaborative, ultimately creating an environment where students don’t just learn—they thrive, lead and transform the world around them.
Over time, these daily practices reshape how you think, behave, and respond to life’s ups and downs. The more you nurture positive habits, the more naturally optimism becomes part of who you are.
When individuals adopt a positive mind-set, the effect extends far beyond personal well-being, it strengthens our entire school community. Optimism fosters collaboration, trust, and creativity in classrooms and beyond. Students who feel hopeful are more likely to encourage their peers, find innovative solutions to problems, and spread kindness throughout the halls.
Imagine beginning the year with collective optimism: teams working toward shared goals, students believing in their potential, teachers inspiring growth, and families supporting one another more intentionally. A positive environment lifts everyone within it and creates a culture where learning and personal development thrive.
The start of a new year often brings resolutions and goals, but perhaps the most meaningful commitment we can make is simply to stay hopeful. Positivity doesn’t guarantee that every day will be easy, but it will change how we experience those days. It equips us to adapt, learn, and keep moving forward—no matter what challenges arise.
So as 2026 unfolds, take a moment to breathe deeply, let go of what’s behind you, and welcome the new beginnings ahead. Choose optimism not because everything is perfect, but because you have the power to shape how you meet life’s imperfections. In every challenge lies a chance to grow; in every new day, an invitation to begin again.
This year, let positivity be the light that guides your journey, turning possibilities into achievements and each day into a reason to smile.
