BSM organises consultation on ‘Draft National Education Policy’ at Assam University

July 25: Bharatiya Sikshan Mandal (BSM), Assam Visvavidyalaya Samiti (Dakshin Assam Prant) organised a one-day consultation on ‘Draft National Education Policy, 2019’ at Assam University on Wednesday. The consultation programme was chaired by Prof.D.K. Pandya, Vice Chancellor in-charge of the varsity. Also present on the dias were Prof. Nikhil Bhushan Dey-President of BSM Assam Visvavidyalaya Samiti, Vice Presidents-Prof. G.Ram & Prof. Gopalji Mishra and Prof. Niranjan Roy-General Secretary.

The consultation programme began with the welcome address delivered by Prof. Nagendra Pandey of the department of Earth Science, Assam University, Silchar. After welcoming the august gathering, Prof. Pandy said that the main objective of organising this programme was to take feedback on the ‘Draft National Education Policy, 2019’ from the different stake holders and to forward the suggestions to the Government of India.

This was followed by a presentation on ‘Draft National Education Policy, 2019’ by Prof. Niranjan Roy, the General Secretary of BSM Assam Visvavidyalaya Samiti. In his presentation, Prof. Niranjan Roy said, “The 484-page draft (which includes six pages devoted to acronyms), consists of four parts:  dealing with “School Education,” “Higher Education,” “Additional Key Focus Areas,” and “Transforming Education,” with an addendum, and 14 appendices. It is animated by a vision to create an “India-centred” education system that will lead to the creation of an “equitable and vibrant knowledge society”

While explaining the objective, Prof. Roy said that the aim is to double the Gross Enrollment Ratio from 25% to 50% by 2035 and make universities the hubs of research (with Tier I universities/institutions devoted primarily to research and some teaching, Tier 2 universities devoted to teaching and some research, and Tier 3 institutions comprising mainly colleges that are to be converted gradually into degree-giving autonomous institutions).

While the draft policy suggests extension of the right to education act to all schools (from preschool to standard 12 instead of Class 1-8), it redraws the schooling system on a 5+3+3+4 formula instead of the current 10+2 model–students in the age group of 3-8 years will be part of the foundation stage, 8-11 age group for preparatory schooling, 11-14 years for middle school and 14-18 for secondary level.

Prof.D.K. Pandya, Prof. Gopalji Mishra, Prof. G.Ram and Prof. Alok Tripathi also upholded the various positive aspects of the ‘Draft National Education Policy, 2019’. All of them highlighted the fact that this policy is characterised by a vision to create an “India-centred” education system, which would  double the Gross Enrolment Ratio from 25% to 50% by 2035 and make universities the hubs of research (with Tier I universities/institutions devoted primarily to research and some teaching, Tier 2 universities devoted to teaching and some research, and Tier 3 institutions comprising mainly colleges that are to be converted gradually into degree-giving autonomous institutions).

Views were also expressed on it and suggestions given by Prof. Alok Tripathi on behalf of Assam University Teachers’ Association (AUTA), Sudarshan Gupta from Assam College Teachers’ Association (ACTA)-Cachar Zone, Krishnendu Roy-District Secretary of All Assam HS Teachers’ & Employees Association of Cachar District Unit, Niharendu Dhar-Secretary of Siksha Vikash Parishad-Dakshin Assam Pranth. Views were also expressed by teachers of Silchar Polytechnique. Asstt. Librarian of Assam University, English Language teacher of HS School-Papri Bhattacharjee also put forward relevant suggestions. All the suggestions would be complied later on and forwarded to the Union government.

The consultation was also attended by teachers from Assam University, colleges, HS and High schools, research scholars and students from the varsity. The vote of thanks was delivered by Dr. Debotosh Chakraborty, Assistant Professor of Political Science, Assam University and Assistant Secretary of BSM-Assam Visvavidyalaya Samiti. The consultation programme was compered by Dr. Soma Roy Choudhury, Mahila Pramukh of BSM Assam Visvavidyalaya Samiti.