Page 70 - 1 to 18 August 2020

Imphal Times Supplementary issue Page No. 2
National Education Policy (NEP)-2020:
A Critical Review (Part 3)
Clean up the system, By Surjit S. Thokchom* not necessarily be a SEDG child, policy with implicit intent of Authority) will be formed. SSSA will:
what will be the fate of their children
(a) Set standard based on a framework
discrimination be implemented in an
don’t offer scapegoats In the NEP 2020, the broad framework with no provision of reservation and equitable manner? Shall we push out created by SCERT in collaboration
outlined in the Document gives us
with NCERT. (b) Upload all the
further an already pushed-out child?
scholarship except outcome-based
the impression that the three stages merit scholarship? Will ST, SC Shall we alienate a walk-out in protest disclosures in SSSA’s website. (c)
he unusual urgency with which the state government reacted viz. preparatory, middle, secondary children be pushed down to the child? Shall we encourage a parent Grievances or complaints will be
in the recent Gallantry scandal involving a tainted Police stages will have similar feature in other streams outside the who pulls out his or her child from adjudicated by SSSA. (d) Feedback
Tofficer who is under investigation for involvement in a drug structure and evaluation. There will Mainstream? There can be devil in school? We need our proper will be solicited online. It is said that
smuggling case worth crores of rupees in April of 2013 has once be provision for open exit and entry details later. As we keep reading in attention on this issue!!! SCERT in consultation and
again proved beyond any shred of doubt that it has the wherewithal along with transfer of credit from one between the lines, the NEP 2020 The NEP 2020 refers to NPE 1968 for collaboration with NCERT, will
to act with blinding speed and amazing decisiveness if the state stream to another stream. Sounds comes out to be a highly coded school complex. The spirit of the develop a framework of assessment
government perceives a threat to its reputation or stability, more so attractive! Of course, it is attractive document, something like a classified school complex as it was envisaged called SQAAF (School Quality
when there still are existing political pressures. Now we have provided it provides equitable document and to unmask it needs a in NPE 1968 and the proposed school Assessment and Accreditation
uncovered a can of worms in which there has not only been shameful education for all. Before we go lot of effort. A superficial one-time complex in NEP 2020 are not Framework). SCERT will lead in change
abuse of power, but a failure of moral authority of the worst kind. further, I would like to invoke reading may not reveal a lot. compatible. The school complex management process in CRC, BRC
This is not a one-off incident. The particular list of Gallantry Gandhi’s talisman as a framework of Contradiction in the Document proposed in NEP 2020 is based on and DIET. Here the State Department
awardees have also raised eyebrows and there is a strong suspicion our analysis which reads as follows: keeps coming in almost all parts of the following premises: (i) Small of Education has been side-lined. The
of rampant irregularities in the whole process as other awardees have “I will give you a talisman. the document. Let me summarize schools with small numbers of BOA (Board of Assessment), SSSA
been found to be either involved in other criminal cases or are not Whenever you are in doubt, or when content and intent of the NEP 2020 children cannot provide quality and SCERT will be directly connected
really deserving as at least one in the list has been transferred from the self becomes too much with you, pertaining to school education as education. It does not utilize the with central agencies. Where is the
another department just recently after the Covid-19 lockdown started apply the following test. Recall the follows: resources in optimum level, (ii) role of State Education? State
in the state. Yet another without any previous significant activity but face of the poorest and the weakest The future drop out children will Standalone schools with proper Education Department will now
related to the high and mighty of the present government featured in man /woman whom you may have remain enlisted in 100% GER (Gross infrastructure, adequate number of become a paper tiger!!!
the list. Constituting an enquiring committee to investigate into the seen, and ask yourself, if the step Enrolment Rate) without really staff and the adequate educational Under the new Structure of
case of the particular Sub Inspector further highlights the desperate you contemplate is going to be of joining a formal school provided that facilities underutilize their resources, Governance, the state-run-school will
attempt of the state government to save face but has once more failed any use to him /her. Will he /she they are enrolled in a Non- (iii) Utilizing a teacher only for a not be under the State Education
to see the larger picture. It also indicates that proper review and gain anything by it? Will it restore Mainstream course. The NEP 2020 single school is underutilization, (iv) Department and it will be treated at
enquiry of the proposed candidates for the awards were either not him /her to a control over his/her divides school education into two Quality education is possible only par with the private schools. Under
carried out or were done under undue influence and pressure- none own life and destiny? In other words, sets of streams: Mainstream/General in multi-streams structure, (v) NEP 2020, there are only two sets of
of which puts the government or the system it operates in good light. will it lead to swaraj /freedom for and Non-mainstreams or Multiple Sharing of teachers, sharing of schools: (i) State-government-run-
Imphal Times have been highlighting such irregularities in the the hungry and spiritually starving pathways or Wider choice or infrastructure and bringing all the schools and Private schools in one
administrations and governance without exceptions even to the point millions? Then you will find your Multiple streams. This pattern will ECCE, lower primary schools, upper category with symmetric treatment in
of attracting threats and legal notices but the fight for justice for the doubts and yourself melt away.” continue through 12 class upto primary schools, vocational centers, every manner, (ii) School run or
common people and the rights everyone deserves to enjoy will always Let us refer to section 3 of the NEP higher education. There will be five non-formal centers under the supported by Central Government.
be the guiding force of our endeavours. A good government and a 2020. The subsection 3.1 highlights types of children: (i) Children in umbrella of a school Principle in a Further, as per NEP 2020, in the name
decisive leader ought to act on such reports and news with the same the pathetic situation of school private and public regular formal school complex will provide of twining, Government school
promptness and eagerness irrespective of the perpetrators or personal education today with 3.22 crore schools, (ii) Children under online maximum outcome and optimum resources and infrastructures are to
relations because when it comes to such important considerations children in the age group of 6-17 education, (iii) Children under open utilization, (vi) Bypassing state be shared with Private school. The
such as representing the aspirations of the public, a leader and elected years outside the school system. It schooling (iv) Homeschooled department in the matter of anticipated situation is very pathetic.
representative should be able to rise beyond personal confinements further commits to bring them back severely disabled children, (v) curriculum, governance and A Government school has to face
or selfish gains, and should be brave enough to initiate action on the into the “educational fold”. Please Children with vocational education. accreditation is necessary step for SSSA to answer their questions. But
erring individuals or parties. Despite the chest-thumping declarations mark this term, “educational fold”. While the no. (i) is the Mainstream/ both access and quality, (vii) The SSSA does not have a mandate to
and expressions of intent, much remains to be done, and even more This may not mean to bring them General student, the rest of the reason for nonperformance by provide the necessary funds for
introspection by those in the public domain is evidently needed. The back to school but something else. streams (ii to v) are Non-mainstreams. government school is conflict of improving the input to the school.
flawed system needs to be cleansed if the state government has to In section 3.2- 3.4, there are lines that The Non-mainstreams education is interest in state education The State Education Department
recover some credibility and regain the trust which is increasingly give us some hope. It advocates re- also called Alternative Innovative department. does not have the mandate to
getting depleted among the public, given the apparent shift in focus establishing of credibility of Education but surprisingly this so- The above premises are debatable intervene for school development.
from issues concerning public welfare to dirty politicking and horse- Government school, Alternative and called alternative innovation is not though the space for debate under Whom a school Principal will
trading, especially during these times of uncertainty and spreading Innovative Education centres for applicable to the mainstream schools. the present dispensation is ever approach for the provision of the
contagion. Instead of considering pressure groups, media houses, drop out, suitable facilitating Why? The position taken by NEP- narrowing down. It is on the basis of school development? The policy
social organisations and even individuals who points out irregularities systems (managed by NGOs?) and 2020 still is the same as that of the the above premises that NEP 2020 forces the State to abdicate her own
and abnormalities in public administrations as against the government, adequate infra structure. But much position taken by government earlier proposed to relocate all the responsibility to provide the
such reports and disclosures should be appreciated and encouraged. against the hope enkindled by that formal schools are not institutions within the radius of 5-10 necessary fund. Is it not as good as
Veiled threats and intimidations towards criticisms especially in public section 3.1 to 3.4, section 3.5-3.7 amendable. For whose interest the kms into a single campus and named asking the school authorities to
issues does not portray a progressive attitude. The role of these immediately dismantles the hope General/mainstream education it school complex. It is said that, the privatize themselves? So, the new
social organisations has once again been underlined when All shown in earlier sections. And children are deprived of so-called single school complex will have all structure of the governance
Manipur Students’ Union (AMSU) blew the whistle on the blunder of section 3.5 recommends the alternative innovation if we believe the necessary facilities such as narrowed down the role of the Central
the state government. Suspension of a few middle ranked officers will innovative education designed for that it will do miracle for the library, recreational centers, Government to Accreditation,
cut no ice with the public anymore. Such feeble attempts at eye- SEDG (Socio-Economically marginalized children. Will the classrooms. In the process of Regulation, Certification with no clear
washing rather than displaying sincere intent to get to the root of the Disadvantaged Group). What does multiple pathways proposed for converting into a school complex, direction of whom to approach to
matter will only erode the faith and trust the public has placed on the we mean by innovation that does not SEDG (Socio-Economically several small schools will be improve the quality of Government
government and the leaders. Clean up or get cleaned out is the have merit for mainstream education? Disadvantaged Groups) children viz. relocated and some of the schools schools? Why are we so happy with
unequivocal message of the people to the government and the leaders Since children of ST, SC, OBC, open, online, vocational, home will be abolished. But all the schools this arrangement of orphaning the
of the state. Minorities and children of schooling (for severely disabled will lose their existing credential and Government school? Repeatedly, NEP
marginalized section of society may child) be of equitable quality? Can a identity. And closure of school 2020 openly states that the private/
within the school complex may not philanthropic school sector must be
Infrastructure development vital for progress of North East Region have any significant meaning as encouraged. It is okay to encourage
merger to the school complex is as
but why at the cost of Government
good as a pre-closer exercise. This School?
By - Pramod Ningombam borders with Bhutan and China on However, considering the fact that has been rightly recognized as the relocation of schools may be done What is going to happen in reality
its north and Myanmar on its east this region is one of the most key. without terminating the permanent are : (i) Large scale dropouts with
For the last few years, Indian which overall constitutes difficult terrains in terms of National projects such as the East– staffs. But almost all the teaching official data showing none; (ii) Large
Government has given a big push approximately 60% of India‘s land accessibility and developmental West Corridor (EWC), which runs staffs under SSA and RMSA are on scale closures of the schools; (iii) Less
to a diverse range of infrastructure borders. It is the only region in south works, the Central Government from Porbandar in Gujarat to Silchar contract and their job can be number of Teachers ; (iv) Less number
projects in the North Eastern Asia to be surrounded by five has been trying to provide in Assam, as well as international summarily terminated any time of students pursuing higher
Region. The emphasis has been on countries. For decades, poor necessary help and assistance to projects such as the Trilateral without giving any reason. education; (v) Social divides and
improving rail, road, air and inland infrastructure and limited fast track its growth and Highway connecting Manipur to Let’s come to newly recommended large-scale unemployment; (vi) Large
waterways connectivity in the connectivity have acted as expansion. Studies have even Thailand via Myanmar, could Governance System of school scale growth of Private Coaching
region. The Indian government’s roadblocks hindering the socio- suggested that the completion of generate further economic education: (i) Department of School centers;(vii) Tremendous growth of
‘Act East’ policy, focuses on economic development of these current and proposed activities and regional Education will be responsible for Corporate School; (viii) Merger of
strengthening relations with states. infrastructure projects in the development, which in turn will monitoring and policy making. smaller private schools and closers
neighbouring countries and Prime These Northeastern states have north-east could herald greater influence economic growth Directorate of Education including of low fee paying private schools; (ix)
Minister Narendra Modi is several features in common, and yet, economic growth for the region through higher production and DEO and BEO etc. will handle No democratic privilege of protest in
spearheading initiatives to enhance each of them has a distinct identity and increase its geopolitical consumption. operation and service provision. And the affairs of school as all the
connectivity through various and peculiar character. Although the importance. Earlier the Central government had it will work independently. authorities now will be connected
projects pertaining to road, rail, air, region is richly blessed with many With less development in all fields announced to set apart a sum of Independent from whom is not well through virtual platform. All the spicy
telecom, power and waterways. natural resources in terms of forests, whether be it in roads, railways, Rs 500 crore (subsequently defined. But this much is cleared that and romantic noise of NEP 2020 are
North East Region: an overview minerals, biodiversity and power, education and human enhanced to Rs.586.20 crore) for the Directorate of school Education noises without looking to the core
Northeast India, also known as hydroelectric potential, the region is resources, the north eastern states North Eastern Region for border will not be under Department of agenda? Is State Government ready
North Eastern Region (NER) far behind in development. in general and Manipur in areas facing special problems that Education. Then under whose to denounce the Federal Right over
comprises of eight states namely Inadequate infrastructure and poor particular has been literally living cannot be tackled through normal jurisdiction will directorate fall? (ii) the Education of our children?
Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, connectivity are the major in a dark era for quite long. schemes. This is called Social and SSSA (State School Standards (to be continued)
Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, constraints to development in the Backwardness in all necessary Infrastructure Development Fund
Nagaland, Sikkim and Tripura. It is region. Not only is the region fields has led people to leave their (SIDF). It was a one-time package *Surjit S Thokchom is based in Shillong at present. He is a Secretariat
geographically connected to the rest poorly connected to the rest of respective states and look for that covers projects, prioritized by Member of All India Forum for Right to Education (AIFRTE) and Editorial
of the country by a narrow corridor India, it is also poorly connected careers outside thereby leading to the State Governments as per their Board Member of a monthly publication of AIFRTE titled, “Reconstructing
of land, flanked by Nepal and to neighbouring countries in brain drain and the vicious cycle requirement, which, inter alia, Education”. He has been associating with an education project in rural
Bangladesh. The region also shares Southeast Asia. continues. include construction of new roads khasi hills titled, “Demonstrating an Alternative Vision of Education”.
Act East policy and bridges, re-establishment of He was a member of Institute Advisory Board of North East Regional
Letters, Feedback and Suggestions to ‘Imphal Times’ From Look East Policy to Act East new sub-stations/transmission Institute of Education (NERIE), Shillong, a Constituent of NCERT and
can be sent to our e-mail : imphaltimes@gmail.com. For advertisement Policy, the Indian government now lines, construction/upgradation of he was a member of Position Paper of Work and Education, NCERT. He
kindy contact: - 0385-3590330 (O). For time being readers can reach the seems to be fully committed on hospitals, establishment of schools, was also the official translator of National Curricular Framework,
office at Cell Phone No. 9862860745 for any purpose. developing this region. And for water supply projects etc. 2005(NCF 2005) into Manipuri. He can be reached through
that infrastructure development (Contd. on Page 3) ssthokchom@gmail.com