SHILLONG:
Adviser to the Education Department Himalaya Shangpliang said on Thursday that implementation of the National Education Policy 2020 will bring about a brighter future for the students of the state.
He was speaking at the two-day national workshop on “NEP 2020:Implementation and Interpretation at School Level” at Synod College organised by the Department of Sociology (UG) and the Department of Education (PG) in collaboration with the Directorate of School Education and Literacy.
Stating that there are numerous problems such as a lack of teaching fraternity or playgrounds, and insufficient books, he said, “Therefore, we from the government are here to support you now. This policy has to be implemented and as it goes, funds will also flow because if you do not implement the policy, there are no funds. Therefore, we must take this opportunity to implement this policy to bring a brighter future for our children.”
Shangpliang said the NEP will be one which will bring about a change for the good.
Education Minister Rakkam Sangma, who was the Chief Guest, said that though Meghalaya has reached 50 years, it still has many miles to go.
He said the programme was just a beginning of a very tedious task that lies ahead and the concept, the design, and the objective of the NEP 2020 were yet to be met, but its impact is felt across the globe.
“Education Sector is a sector that has the scope for a lot to be done … as a state, we are working towards it,” he added.
The first day of the workshop was inaugurated by the Vice-Principal, Dr. M Rani, who also delivered the welcome address, which was followed by the keynote address by Fr (Dr.) Paul Pudussery, social science researcher.
The seminar aimed at enlightening the students about how the NEP 2020 can be a game-changer in the education system.
One of the resource persons, Prof H K Senapaty, former director of NCERT spoke about NEP 2020 with regard to the pedagogical practices at schools while Prof. I Syiem of the Department of Education, NEHU Shillong spoke about standard setting and accreditation for school education.
Senapaty further said, “…We are shifting our focus from a content-based approach to a competency-based approach” he added. He also mentioned that NEP 2020 was the ‘first adult education framework’ which aims for holistic development.
Another resource person Dr Swati Popat Vats, President of Podar Education Network started her presentation by saying that she was there to talk about the “youngest citizens of the country” throwing light on the National Curriculum Framework. “As a nation, we love report cards … but the child is not an accident that is to be reported,” she added.
“Change is the only constant in this world … we are at the caterpillar stage right now, and the NCF is wanting to turn the education system of this country into a butterfly, why are we resisting it?” said Vats.
Several resource persons spoke about the dire need for change in the education system which can only be attained by establishing problem-solving abilities, critical thinking, and flexibility in the younger generations.
Dr. Ravichandran, Head of PSS Central Institute of Vocational Education (PSSCIVE), laid emphasis on vocational education at the school level and addressed a major myth that it is for the “dull students.”