IndiGlobal Media
The three-day Akhil Bhartiya Shiksha Samagam (ABSS) concluded in Varanasi on Saturday with education leaders resolving to work collectively for transforming India into an equitable and vibrant knowledge society.
Addressing the valedictory session, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan said, “We need to develop forward looking, responsive, world class higher educational institutions to prepare 21st century students. We have to work to ensure access, inclusivity, equitability, affordability and quality in higher education.”
The Minister said that we must bring in a transformative education system rooted in Indian values, thoughts and sense of service. National Education Policy 2020 gives us the direction and path for decolonizing our education and achieving aspirations, creating pride in our languages, culture and knowledge, he added. He further said that the components of NEP such as Multi-modal education, Academic Bank of Credits, Multiple Entry-Exit, Skill Development will prove to be milestones in the direction of student first -teacher led learning.
Pradhan said that seeing the enthusiasm of all the scholars, policy-makers and educationists in this three-day program, a new energy and new confidence has been awakened. This Shiksha Samagam is a step towards establishing India as a knowledge-based superpower, he added.
The Minister highlighted that our Higher Education should be for the student and by the Teacher. Our administration shall do everything to support the teachers in meeting aspirations of our youth.
Pradhan thanked the Prime Minister for his continuous support and guidance of the Prime Minister on important topics related to the education sector. He reiterated the suggestions of the Prime Minister to develop India as a hub of Research & Innovation and work on solutions for climate change, technology creation for waste-to-wealth for promotion of circular economy.
The Minister expressed hope and confidence that Universities will play an important role in preparing entrepreneurial society and creating job-creators. They are the breeding ground of research for the welfare of society and mankind and for furthering ease of living. The Minister also said that by providing opportunities for education in Indian languages, we will be able to connect a large section of the education system and promote research and innovation.
Union Minister of State for Education Dr. Subhas Sarkar addressed the educationists and said that holistic education is the soul of National Education Policy 2020. He further added that during his visits to different institutions, he felt there is a need for significant increase of macro and micro-actions in the realization of holistic education.
Union Minister of State for Education Annapurna Devi said that the National Education Policy lays a lot of emphasis on ‘Education in Indian Languages'. However, there is no world class study material available in our own languages. We cannot achieve the objectives of NEP-2020 from any borrowed language, she added. She stressed that to bring Indian education at par with international standards and aligned to the needs of the 21st century our universities and their academic leaders shall play a significant role.
