Page 2 - labour report

Imphal Times Supplementary issue Page No. 2
National Education Policy (NEP)-2020: A Critical Review (Part 2)

By Surjit S. Thokchom* repeater and those who manage to (ii) Children in the non-formal centers will be four types of teachers: (1) 12 th
NEP 2020 and the status Let us first have a look to the cross class 1, they are likely to detain (run by NGOs); (iii) Children in the class passed Aangalwadi teachers
in class 2. This detention is somewhat
with a 6 months certificate course
open schooling (either under NIOS or
structural changes in the school resolved with RTE Act 2009 through SIOS); (iv) Children in online schooling through online training conducted by
education. The existing structure of no detention policy except in schools (Accredited private or public); (v) NCERT, (2) Teachers below 12 th class
of Colleges of Manipur school education is 10+2. Strictly under minority act. But in terms of Children in home schooling (severely with 1-year online training course
speaking, it is 2/3+5+3+2+2. 2 or 3 scholastic achievement, children’s disabled child). conducted by NCERT, (3) Peer group
Much criticism has been received on the new NATIONAL
All the courses under online, open,
EDUCATION POLICY 2020 from students’ group to academic circles years of pre-primary, 5 years of lower learning doesn’t go beyond class 2. home schooling, non-formal Centre will teachers from amongst the students,
primary, 3 years of upper primary, 2
(4) Trained volunteers (from NGOs).
So, in reality, as of today, Aangalwadi
including those serving as teachers in the government sectors. The years of secondary and 2 years of workers work together with lower be treated as equivalent to a regular In addition to these teachers, there will
criticism and the argument about the feasibility of the new education higher secondary. Before we try to primary teachers. And the lower formal education. Under the new be counselors and mentors probably
policy seems to have direct impact creating apprehension to the answer significance of the proposed primary school effectively functions arrangement of NEP 2020, there will be from outside the villages. What will be
government of Manipur. When teachers were and are the one to new structure of 5+3+3+4 in NEP up to class 2 only. How shall we resolve no drop out children and GER will be the pay structure? Who will pay?
systematically analyzed on government policy before any such has 2020, let us understand issues and this problem? 100% irrespective of quality, What about the job security? These
been introduced, there were no proper discussion that invites ideas the problems of the existing structure NEP 2020 ignores this crisis and take accessibility and education facilities as are something that we can speculate
of all academic circles by inviting their suggestions. When the NEP in the last 3 decades. Total Literacy a regressive action: Take PP and class long as children are enrolled in one of on the basis of pattern we observe ever
2020 has been approved by the Union cabinet the academic circle Campaign (TLC) was started in 1989 1 & 2 as Aanganwadi and name it as the multiple streams. The quality since structural adjustment was
has been divided into two. One which accept and appreciate the idea and post literacy classes were open ‘Foundational stage’. Aangalwadi is dimension will be decided by outcome. started in mid 90s. In any case, they
terming it as a new reform that will transform the whole education for drop out children. This was in late extended up to class 2 with a new cadre Input norm will be relaxed. The dialectic will be underpaid contractual para-
system of the country. However, there are groups of highly intellect 80s and early 90s. The ground of para-teachers drawn from relationship between input & outcome teachers. Some of them will be
circle which criticized the new policy saying that it will sabotage the realities of TLC period did not change Aangalwadi. The teacher may be a will be summarily rejected. A child in overqualified as the large numbers of
academic career of the entire student community. These arguments over the years. What was the Indian class 12 passed or below class 12 with formal school with proper SSA and RMSA teachers are likely to
and criticism are all base on factual presentation of what has been realities particularly amongst the no educational lower limit. Teachers infrastructure and qualified trained be ousted from their teaching job in
happening in the country. rural poor, urban poor and the children will be trained through online for 6 teachers, a child in non-formal center, preparatory, middle and secondary
Yesterday, the Kangleipak Students’ Association has stated the of the marginalized sections of the months for class 12 passed and 1-year a child in online education, a child in level due to closer of schools in the
importance of setting up a committee to oversee the implementation society? Within the existing policy, for below 12 th class. The new structure open schooling will be treated as full- process of converting schools to
of the NATIONAL EDUCATION POLICY 2020 in the state at the there were no provision for teacher of 5 years Foundational course is a fledged formal education child and they school complex. About the school
earliest as the education being provided under the higher education for pre-primary level and there was new Aangalwadi structure. It is are entitled to get access to all the complex, we shall discuss later.
system in the state to expand the horizon and present a better future no provision for mid-day meal for hugely diluted and heavily facilities available in the school Whatever, the expanded Aanganwadi
prospect for the students. children below 6 years. Children compromised Lower Primary school. complex occasionally. under NEP 2020 will be a part of a
It has become necessary to ascertain whether the colleges in below the age of 6 years were covered The failure in the earlier policy will be Let us go little bit deeper on the school complex.
Manipur are following the guidelines laid down by the UGC as to the under Aangalwadi Scheme. There was now a legitimate success story of the ‘foundational stage’ (3-8 years) in this Let us acknowledge one important
teaching hours, Research and Academic contributions and no official collaboration between new policy. This is called new structure stage. Who will decide the curricular change here. Under existing policies
Professional Development, Co-Curricular and Extension Activities Aangalwadi and Lower Primary for 3-8 years old children known as framework, the curriculum and text pre-primary level curriculum is not
etc. colleges functioning outside the RR and guidelines of the UGC School either in village level or ‘Foundational stage’. books? As per NEP-2020, as it is available in most of the Indian states.
need to be identified and categorized according to a state policy as a departmental level or ministerial level. Under the existing policy, children mentioned in section 1.3, the curricular The provision for teachers of pre-
large number of colleges could not meet the parameters laid down by But in practice, due to people’s can be divided broadly into two framework will be centrally prepared primary level is available in some states
the NAAC such as lack of required number of teachers and aspiration for children’s education, groups; (i) school going children (ii) by NCERT and it will be called National in recent years. Infrastructure
inadequate teacher-student ratio thereby scoring low accreditation existing govt aided or full-fledged non-school going children. As of now Curricular and Pedagogical Framework provisions is also very limited and mid-
grades and losing out on funding by the UGC. The state government government schools have to accept the non-school going children say for early childhood care and education day meal was never extended for
should take up steps to appoint the required number of teachers as pre-primary (PP) children. This after class 1 cannot be treated as a (NCEFECCE). This framework will preprimary level. All these in practice
well as provide the infrastructures for the colleges without any delay. unofficial arrangement was done bona fide enrolled child unless the child have two parts; sub—framework for do not apply to the private schools
Appointment of principal in charge for a large number of colleges without sanctioned PP teachers, is brought back to the school in class 0-3 years old and sub frame work for 3- and urban elites govt. aided schools.
and instead of a regular principal till their retirement reeks of without separate PP rooms, without 1 or 2. In other word, these children’s 8 years old. The curriculum based on What we observe in the last few
corruption and a big factor for lack of accountability in these colleges, mid-day meal for PP, without exclusion from enrollment register is a this framework and the pedagogy decades is the collective aspirations
as according to the UGC guideline, regular principals are a appointed prescribed books for PP and more bloat towards 100% GER (Gross based on this framework will be of parents both rich and poor to start
for five years, and if one wishes to continue beyond this term, then importantly without a govt. order. This Enrolment Rate) towards the centrally created by the Education formal education for their children as
an interview is necessary for re-appointment as principal which is pattern developed in the last three fulfillment of Sustainable Development Ministry (MHRD as of now). Planning early as 2 years old. NEP 2020 clubbed
not the case in the state at present. The state government should decades in the village level amongst Goal 4(SDG4). In the NEP 2020, every and implementation will be jointly the provision for Aangalwadi through
stop this trend and appoint regular principals for the colleges on a poorer and marginalized section of drop out children will be officially decided by Ministry of Education, social welfare department and the
rotation basis immediately. both rural and urban society. As such enrolled without asking them to come Ministry of Women and Child provision of class 1 and 2 through
Teachers of government colleges and aided colleges who failed to Aangalwadi workers become back to school to engage in formal Development, Ministry of Health and education department or SSA and
meet the qualification prescribed y the UGC should be given an unofficial and unpaid or underpaid learning and the GER will be 100 % Family Welfare and Ministry of Tribal promise to provide infrastructure and
opportunity to meet the requirements under a timeframe and those para-teachers for PP. So, the without changing or improving the Affairs. Please note the total absence nutrition input as a part of the school
who still cannot meet the qualifications within the given timeframe functioning of Aangalwadi as an objective realities. In fact, 100% GER of the state govt. and local bodies up complex. This provision is a
should be dealt with under a policy, and also the state government extension of lower primary schools is will achieve through further dilution to the level of curriculum, planning and restructured provision but not a new
should adopt the recommendations fo the 7th pay commission for a practicing phenomenon, particularly of both investment and quality. This implementation. Why? We shall come one. There is a new provision of
the teachers without any delay. in the rural areas. Therefore, miracle is called NEP-2020. How? The back again in this question after a while. imposing centrally prepared
The above mentioned reasons are the main cause for the failure of
Now the Ministry will initiate a
the colleges in the state to be included in the top 200 list of colleges Aangalwadi and the lower primary magic as per NEP-2020 is called, “wider mission called National Mission on curriculum, text books and learning
schools working together unofficially
Choices”. There will be 5 types of
materials based on centrally prepared
and universities of India as determined by the National Institutional is a visible and feasible practices. enrolled children. Right now, let us Foundational Literacy and Numeracy curricular framework. This is against
Ranking Framework (NIRF), Ministry of Human Resources There is however one important thing confine to Foundational stage only (section 2.2). This is a restoration of the constitutional provision of
Development, Government of India. The academic activities provided that in the lower primary school, though this classification will earlier TLC exactly replicating the education under concurrent list, Indian
in the state is evidently lacking in depth and quality when compared majority of children drop out before consistently continue in the later stage agenda of World Bank; equating federalism and all the known
with that of other states, and in order to make improvements, required entering class 3. Many of them detain of education also. The 5 types are : (i) literacy to education. It is difficult to pedagogical practices till date.
parameters such as infrastructure, academic activities, research, in pre-primary and those who enter Children in the formal school (private comprehend why this regressive step Whatever, there is one very
faculties etc should be improved said the release.
class 1 detain in the same class as or government or government aided); is recommended. Of course, this pertaining but not yet answered
mission will not cover children in the question: why do Central government
Deteriorating humanitarian professionalism: private school and govt. elite schools. need to centrally develop, design,
While children of well to do family are
prepare and implement curriculum, text
books and learning materials for
busy with the latest technology, the
unsupervised healthcare system of Manipur children both from urban poor and rural children at the age of 3-8 years in a
poor along with children from
country like India with huge diversity.
marginalized sections of the society will NEP 2020 strongly recommends to
Need for non-panicky and current corona crisis. This further healthcare professionals and against those that do not follow the be busy with literacy classes probably teach the 21 st century skills and
conscientious care for both creates deep-seated mistrust for victims. directives. in evening time, with occasional visit to education right from the foundational
corona and non-corona patients. medical professionals, healthcare 5. Top-down approach in 7. Provide sensitised school complexes and they will be stage that is 3 years old child upto
RISE - A women’s network for related administration and the communication and functioning of empathy training for professionals, covered under this mission. higher education through 12 class. For
inclusive social development, entire state system that regulates medical professionals and nodal officers at quarantine centres Let us now look to the issue of text a lay person, 21 st century skills and
takes concern of the escalation of and controls public services. administration. and volunteers at groundwork. books. NEP 2020 does not advocate education may mean the ICT, AI,
unfortunate deaths of non-covid- Synchronously, our panic-struck Our suggestions keeping in While we appreciate the the use of textbooks in this stage Machine language, Climate change,
19 emergency patients due to public resorting to mob justices in mind the current corona crisis: positive news coming in from though it says introduction of limited renewable source of energy etc. But
negligence by the staffs and the localities is only causing high 1. Reduce the level of panic public healthcare systems number of texts in class 1 and 2. The as per NEP 2020, 21 st century skills and
doctors in district, state and private risks of collateral damages. around corona virus infection by following procedure and attending curricular framework and the curriculum education mean ancient Indian
hospitals of Manipur. On thinking Our observations from spreading meaningful awareness the needs of the patients, like in is centrally controlled by MHRD and knowledge(section11.1), not the
through, it’s only a tiny part of the speaking to the victim’s family and with care and maintaining strict the case of the Mayang Imphal the only possible contextualization in modern knowledge. Such imposed
collapsing healthcare system that few concern professionals: SOPs to prevent community PHC stepping up in the delivery of the local level is translating the teaching of ancient Indian knowledge
has created the aura possible for 1. Q u e s t i o n a b l e spread. twins recently and RIMS with the instruction from Hindi and English to without a critical and rational
callousness in healthcare services. professional efficiency and 2. Identify the loopholes delivery a baby girl of a COVID-19 local languages. Beyond this, all the examination of the same need to defy
The recent disheartening incident inadequate infrastructure in from top to bottom in the entire positive mother, we also would like contextualization will be off record and democratic norm and humane
of Ms. Kanpatliu Kamei, 20 years Senapati district hospital. healthcare system. to press upon the authorities to unofficial. Of course, you will find the pedagogy! Can this be the reason for
old pregnant woman from Noney, 2. Non availability of basic 3. Provide adequate review the systemic failures which document decorated with beautiful this over-centralization? If yes, will it
Senapati district who died of being treatment facilities and ambulance equipment, care and support for caused the recent unfortunate and words of flexibility as rhetoric. work? Time for us to ponder and act!!!
denied emergency natal treatment in the district hospital. frontliners working tirelessly in the avoidable incidents of maternal Who will teach these children? There (to be continued)
in five Imphal hospitals is an 3. Unprofessional approach hospitals and sufficient training in and infant deaths. We urge the
alarming red flag. This case and by medical professionals such as terms of its usage like PPE. State and the healthcare providers *Surjit S Thokchom is based in Shillong at present. He is a
few other similar cases that went lack of interpersonal empathy by 4. Give proper scientific and to emphasise on humanitarian Secretariat Member of All India Forum for Right to Education
viral of treatment refusal, right at the nurses, absences of doctors on evidence based precautionary approach in dealing with patients (AIFRTE) and Editorial Board Member of a monthly publication of
the hospital doors, add to the duty in Imphal hospitals. healthcare advice to dispel fake regardless of their COVID status. AIFRTE titled, “Reconstructing Education”. He has been associating
public panic especially during 4. Mistrust between the information. We also appeal to the public to be with an education project in rural khasi hills titled, “Demonstrating
5. Prepare comprehensive mindful of the stress and pressure an Alternative Vision of Education”. He was a member of Institute
SOPs for non-covid emergency that frontline workers are going Advisory Board of North East Regional Institute of Education
Letters, Feedback and Suggestions to ‘Imphal Times’
can be sent to our e-mail : imphaltimes@gmail.com. For advertisement patients. through at this juncture and (NERIE), Shillong, a Constituent of NCERT and he was a member of
kindy contact: - 0385-3590330 (O). For time being readers can reach the 6. Update a list of hospitals provide them an enabling Position Paper of Work and Education, NCERT. He was also official
office at Cell Phone No. 9862860745 for any purpose. for emergency care. Follow up and environment to dispense their translator of National Curricular Framework, 2005(NCF 2005)
take appropriate stringent actions duties. into Manipuri. He can be reached through ssthochom@gmail.com