BSM & NITI Aayog organises webinar on NEP in collaboration with Assam University

Feb. 15: Bharatiya Shikshan Mandal (BSM) and NITI Aayog in collaboration with Assam University, Silchar (AUS) organised a seminar in online mode on “Teachers’ Role in National Education Policy (NEP) Implementation: Awareness, Orientation, Challenges & Responses” on 14 February, 2021.

The inaugural session kick started with an invocation by Kathamrita Bhattacharjee. This was followed by inaugural address, which was delivered by Prof. Niranjan Roy, the man who spearheaded the webinar. Prof. Roy brought out the distinctive features of the NEP and stated that the teachers have got a pivotal role to play in the proper implementation of it. He also highlighted some of the challenges that might crop in the process of implementation but at the same time also offered the plausible solutions.

This was followed by a speech by Dr. Bibhas Das Purkayastha, Sanrakshak of BSM. In a lucid manner, he said, “The success of the National Education Policy rests primarily on the role of the teachers. We teachers will have to clear the doubts, if any, of the government. Teachers should come out with solutions of the problems that might lie in the NEP.” Mukul Kanitkar in a video message put forth the highlights of NEP 2020. He stressed on participatory learning and emphasised that the NEP 2020 primarily attempts for a ‘man making education’ as envisaged by Swami Vivekananda.

Prof. RP Tiwari, Vice Chancellor of Central University, Punjab (CUB) delivered the keynote address. He also laid stress on the concept of change ushered in the educational scenario of the country. The colonial education pattern followed in the country for decades since the time of Macaulay is going to undergo a major change for the 1st time after independence.

Was honoured to share my views on #NEP2020 and the revolutionary changes it’s going to bring along after such a long time in our education system !@DrRPNishank @AssamUnivSil @NITIAayog pic.twitter.com/tl1oOjBF7F

— Dr Rajdeep Roy MP ( MS, MCh) (@drrajdeeproy) February 14, 2021

Eminent orthopedic surgeon and Silchar MP Dr. Rajdeep Roy participated in the workshop as the Chief Guest and highlighted that the aspects of multiple entry and exit in the NEP makes it unique and student friendly. He said, “The NEP offers a wide range of choice for the students where there will be no rigid separation between Arts and Science streams and curricular and extra-curricular activities in school education and higher education. The idea is to have all-round development of the student by helping the candidate chose which combination of subjects they wish to take. The government said it will now follow a multi-disciplinary approach. As for instance, if a student wants to pursue fashion studies with Physics, or if one wants to learn bakery with Chemistry, they will be allowed to do so.”

In his Presidential address, Prof. Dilip Chandra Nath, Vice Chancellor of Assam University, Silchar lauded the activities of BSM. He said, “It’s high time, we ought to reap the demographic dividend. The syllabus needs to be revised and the NEP needs to instill skills among the students. Dr. Pradosh Kiran Nath, Registrar of Assam University offered the vote of thanks.

The inaugural session was followed by six parallel tracks wherein participants grouped themselves and delivered upon some key issues such as: Research intensive teaching in higher education, Teacher Training – NEP 2020. Impactful Teachers- Effective Teaching, Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat: Unity foundation among teachers and students, Bharatiyata in Education- Philosophical and Historical Aspects. The six track leaders were Prof.G. Ram, Sudarshan Gupta, Dr. Debotosh Chakraborty, Dr Anup Kumar Dey, Dr Himadri Sekhar Das and Dr Shubhadip Roy Choudhury.

In the valedictory session, the track leaders summarised the discussion which took place in their respective sessions. Prof. N.B. Dey then delivered the valedictory address. Dr. Debotosh Chakraborty presented the vote of thanks. The workshop came to an end with the recital of Shanti Mantra by Niharendu Dhar.

It needs mention here that NITI Aayog has selected BSM for capacity building programme among teachers. One such webinar will be held in each district of the country. As such, more than 700 webinars will be organised by BSM within March, 2021. On completion of the webinar, the organisers also submitted the detailed report to the Education Vertical in NITI Aayog.