When t2 met Shivika Goenka in August 2022 to talk about her dream project — RP Goenka International School (RPGIS), a state-of-the-art school that balances the best of “international education steeped in strong Indian roots”, was on her mind. With the school turning three, Shivika recollected the process and chatted with us about what’s on the anvil.
With the school turning three, what are the memories from Day One?
So many special moments come to mind! From Day One, it’s been a whirlwind of energy, excitement, and purpose. We hosted the Lucknow Super Giants team and even the World Cup Trophy — what an experience for the children!
I still remember when FoodPharmer (Revant Himatsingka) visited and engaged our students in a powerful session on healthy eating and mindful living. It wasn’t just a talk — it sparked meaningful conversations among the children about nutrition, wellness, and the choices they make every day. Moments like these truly reflect our commitment to nurturing not just bright minds, but healthy, balanced individuals.
Our robotics and science shows have been truly inspiring. Watching our students explore cutting-edge technology, design their own bots, and present innovative science experiments with such confidence and curiosity has been nothing short of magical.
We’ve had the privilege of welcoming incredible talents — Paresh Maity led a fantastic art workshop, and Bose Krishnamachari conducted a session that left the kids wide-eyed and inspired. Our kids’ entrepreneurship event was unforgettable — watching children create their own businesses was truly heartwarming.
And of course, who can forget our magical annual productions — The Lion King, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Aladdin! Each one was a labour of love and a celebration of student talent.
What was the process of executing this dream of building a school?
It’s honestly been surreal. There are moments when we look around and say — Has it really only been two years? The dream was always big: to build a school that empowered young minds to thrive in a fast-changing world. But seeing it come alive — brick by brick, idea by idea — has been deeply fulfilling.
If we ask you to do a SWOT…
• Strengths: A clear vision, passionate educators, and a strong community of parents who believed in what we were building.
• Weaknesses: Being new meant we had to earn trust — and fast.
• Opportunities: To set new benchmarks for education in the region.
• Threats: The usual challenges of starting up — resources, recruitment, and finding the right cultural fit for our team.
What are the new things you’ve brought to the city?
We’ve been proud to introduce a whole new educational paradigm. As the first IB PYP (International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme) school in
East India, we’ve championed inquiry-based learning and student agency in a way that’s truly transformative.
We’re also the first school in Eastern India to be a member of the Council of International Schools (CIS) — a globally recognised mark of quality and accountability. That was a huge milestone for us.
And more recently, we’ve been humbled by the global recognition coming our way — we were invited to the prestigious Global Education Leadership Summit in the US, and we also led an international delegation to Switzerland. These aren’t just achievements — they’re affirmations of the kind of institution RPGIS is becoming.
What are the future plans?
There’s so much in the pipeline! One of the biggest milestones this year is the launch of our IB (International Baccalaureate) Diploma Programme, which marks the beginning of our senior school journey. We’re also exploring exciting collaborations, new learning formats, and expanding opportunities for both students and teachers.
The vision is clear — to build a truly world-class institution right here in Calcutta, rooted in values but future-ready in every sense.