EARLY TIMES REPORT
SRINAGAR, Sept 20: “National Education Policy 2020 is not only a historic and holistic document but for the first time, has been created as a reflection of aspirations of the parents, teachers, students, and education experts, which aims to address the challenges for the coming generations,” Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha remarked while inaugurating the “Brainstorming on Implementation of the National Education policy-2020 in Jammu and Kashmir at Sher-i-Kashmir International Conference Centre (SKICC) Auditorium, here today. Advisors to Lt Governor KK Sharma, Baseer Ahmad Khan; Vice-Chancellor, Univesity of Kashmir, Prof Talat Ahmad; Vice-Chancellor of Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST) Awantipora, Prof Mushtaq Sidiqui; Former Chairman, UGC, Prof. Ved Prakash; Director NIT Prof. Rakesh Sehgal; Principal Secretary School Education Department, Dr. Asgar Hasan Samoon; Former VCs, DC Srinagar Shahid Iqbal Choudhary; Principals of GDCs and others were present on the occasion. In his presidential address, the President of India Ram Nath Kovind highlighted the cultural diversity, values, and pluralism of Jammu and Kashmir for ages. He also commended the talent and rich potential of the youth of Jammu and Kashmir and urged the concerned educationists, thinkers, and students to restore the glory of this land using NEP-2020. He added that J&K has a rich demographic dividend, which needs to harnessed in the right earnest. Quoting Nelson Mandella the Lt Governor said “Education is the most powerful weapon, which you can use to change the world.” “Education can breed prosperity, peace, and harmony in the society if we use this tool effectively and efficiently”, he added. On the inaugural day of the Brainstorming session, Advisor to Lt Governor KK Sharma gave a brief presentation on the roadmap for the of implementation of NEP-2020 in J&K. Lt Governor further remarked that the New Education Policy contains features of Equity, Quality, Affordability, and Accountability. It promotes Individual Development through experience-based Education and logical thinking. While addressing the gathering of VCs, Former VCs, Principals of different Degree colleges from across the UT, Lt Governor impressed upon them to use the progressive features of the NEP-2020 for the benefits of students. He called for mission mode efforts to meet the growing knowledge economy through best practices available worldwide including e-content and interactive modules. The Lt Governor also said that while nurturing the talents for a self-reliant India, our collective focus should be professional and qualitative research with synthesis of three elements- teacher, students, and curriculum, so when they are out of college after completing the education, a job or self-employment opportunity is available for them. “As President and Prime Minister have called for enhanced exposure to vocational training at a young age for Atma-Nirbhar Bharat, the Vocational curriculum will help us to meet the challenges of college to work transition. Moreover, it will bridge the gap in vocational training requirements and current availability of skilled manpower”, the Lt Governor said. Underlining the salient features of NEP-2020 the Lt Governor said that this education policy envisages a National Research Foundation for quality research. The Lt Governor gave a clarion call to start the discussion and the working in the Brainstorming Session for the timely implementation of key provisions of NEP-2020. |