HILAL BHAT
The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write , but those who cannot learn , unlearn and relearn. ( Alvin Toffler )
It is said that education doesn’t need to be reformed, it needs to be transformed. The era of competence is gone by and we are living in a world of excellence. “Excellence is never an accident. It is always the result of high intention, sincere effort , and intelligent execution ; It represents the wise choice of many alternatives__ Choice not chance determines your destiny.” Says Aristotle.
Better late than never , Of late we desperately saw the foot prints of much awaited NEP-2020 in every realm of the education system knocking out an obsolete and redundant one , the 35 years old NPE-1986 , that had become prominently irrelevant in this technologically and qualitatively challenging world. While the old one was quantitative in nature , the new one is purely qualitative in nature and rightly so.One of the parameters of success of the new policy will be to understand and maintain its difference from the old one.NEP -2020 states that , “Education must move towards less content , and more towards learning about how to think critically and solve problems , how to be creative and multidisciplinary , and how to innovate , adapt , and absorb new material in novel and changing fields.” It focuses primarily on mother tongue (the regional language ) which comprehensively filters and polishes the curriculum and content to the extent of the students’ needs the way the world demands it from them. Moreover , It offers more flexibility to students choice of opting for various subjects. Let it not be an overstatement to say that it has released the students from a cage of imposition granting them much needed freedom to apply themselves independently in terms of skills and innovations. Though we saw it taking off with full swing, with much of a hype , glamour and enthusiasm , however , we need to be more promising , competitive and challenging by all means to meet the implementation standards effectively. Nevertheless, a well begun is half done. It is indeed a transition which demands an objective oriented, careful and smooth execution so that the objectives are not lost anywhere in the process. This delicate balance has to be made between the departure-from and landing-on.We have to make sure that this transition happens quite smoothly without any hiccups or imbalances and for that it is absolutely necessary not to be in a hurry but to go step by step , one after the other , making sure that every previous step is done and dusted. As we focus on how to learn and what to learn , it is equally important to learn how to unlearn and what to unlearn. Well teachers have to raise upto the mark and standards to match the changing world.They have to improve themselves in critical and innovative skills , besides becoming technologically sound and tech savvy. “The best teachers are those who show you where to look but don’t tell you what to see” , says Alexendra K. Trenfor.Since the deadline for its complete implementation is by 2030 , we have enough time to go by and we have to make sure that we go through and we get through.The goals and objectives should be clearly in mind and our execution and implementation process must fall in line with , a road map be made to achieve the goals without any compromise or dilution at any stage in any of the aspects or components of the policy.The infrastructure , curriculum , activity pedagogy , classroom culture , human resources , assessments and evaluations , community involvement , necessary trainings , and other relevant components should be the areas of focus.The policy in itself is a shift from quantity to quality , there should not be a mad rush of fight to finish , but a focuss on the means is what matters here , and the means should strike the goals and objectives , and any deviation from the same , for whatever reasons , will not surve the purpose.In 21st century’s global knowledge World , an opportunity has fallen in the form of a golden biscuit from the heavens , we must make most of it to overhaul and modify our teaching learning process and rectify our deficiencies in the best intrest of our students , the education system , the policy itself and for the society at large.By sticking to principles and guidelines in letter and spirit , we can emerge as the best version of ourselves in terms of the quality of students and teachers and the system as a whole , so that we can be as competetive as demanded at national and international arena.That will boost the socio-economic framework of the nation.All the stakeholders must give their best to see the success.It takes two to quarrell.All of us as citizens of the land have to share and shoulder this responsibility at our respective levels to make it happen.
“Education is the most powerful weapon that you can use to change the world.” , says Dr Nelson Mandela.Then a goal without a plan is only a dream.A proper planning is must , a road map be made to achieve the desired goals.All of us must avail this opportunity to make a change in ourselves at the first place , in our students , and in our societies which will inturn reflect in transforming the nation.
Bhat Biotech Hilal is a government teacher presently working at BHSS Magam, can be reached at mailed at biotechilal@gmail.com.
