Pune: Central Minister of Education, Annapurna Devi, expressed that educational empowerment is of utmost importance for the progress of the nation, as it strengthens the economic, social, political, and educational aspects of the citizens. The more literate the citizens, the stronger the nation becomes, she said.
The two-day National Conference on Basic Literacy and Numeracy was inaugurated by Annapurna Devi at Savitribai Phule Pune University on the sidelines of the 20th Education Working Group meeting.
The event was attended by the State Minister of Higher and Technical Education, Chandrakant Patil, Education Minister Deepak Kesarkar, Secretary of the Department of Education, Sanjay Kumar, education expert, actor, and film producer Dr. Chandraprakash Dwivedi, and the Vice-Chancellor of the University, Dr. Suresh Gosavi.
Discussions were held on various educational programs that have been initiated in various states for the implementation of the National Education Policy.
Annapurna Devi said that the importance of education is evident from the various performances organized during the event. The Indian government gives great importance to basic education, numeracy, and skill development. The 20th Education Working Group aims to reduce the gap in quality education and skills. Discussions were held on this issue during the meeting.
Annapurna Devi further stated that the basic literacy and numeracy skills of children are essential for their development and understanding of mathematics. India needs skilled and literate citizens to contribute to the nation-building process. The focus should be on the citizens' education and not just on the land, she added.
By the year 2025, the National Education Policy aims to provide basic literacy and numeracy skills in primary schools. To achieve this, India has started its efforts in 2021, with a target to achieve the desired results by 2026-27. Children need to be prepared for the changing demands according to their needs. As we progress in our academic development, we can become a developed nation. The Indian government is making efforts towards this goal, as stated by Mrs. Annapurna Devi.
Mrs. Devi expressed her joy at the establishment of the National Council in the university named after Savitribai Phule. She mentioned that during the time when it was difficult for women to step out of their homes, Savitribai Phule struggled and worked toward women's education.
Chandrakant Dada Patil, the Minister of Higher and Technical Education, stated that the state is implementing the National Education Policy as per the directives of the central government in the Department of School Education. The state has taken special responsibility for the implementation of new academic standards in higher and technical education. This year, 1,270 colleges for higher education, 87 private arts, commerce, and science colleges, 50 private technical institutes, and 1,400 new academic standards will be implemented. Senior colleges are being prepared for this. However, Mr. Patil also emphasized the need to focus on primary, secondary, and higher secondary education.
A multimedia exhibition is being organized to showcase the best practices in education, basic literacy and numeracy, digital initiatives, research, and skill development, as part of the National Council's efforts. Each state will showcase its new initiatives in education. The exhibition is expected to be attended by 500,000 students from Pune and surrounding areas, including first-year college students, as stated by Minister Patil.
"It is necessary to provide students with knowledge of language, mathematics, and numerology - Deepak Kesarkar.
The Minister of Education, Mr. Kesarkar, said that various systems have been developed in the field of education worldwide. We are dependent on them. At that time, we need to consider our own teaching methods. The first school in the United Kingdom was established at the end of the 5th century. At that time, our Gurukul system existed. In the fifth century, universities such as Nalanda and Takshashila were active.
He further stated that English is an international language, and there is no doubt about it. However, each European country has its own mother tongue. Russia, Germany, France, China, and other countries have made significant progress in knowledge and technology, even though many citizens do not know English. There is no language for science. Therefore, it is said that good knowledge can be imparted in the mother tongue. When we focus on education, we need to focus on strengthening the student's foundation. It is necessary to provide knowledge of language, mathematics, and numerology in a good way. Our traditional teaching methods do not provide employment opportunities every time. Therefore, we are including vocational training in new academic methods.
As our young population grows, we are making efforts to create our wealth. We are also making efforts to fulfill the need for skilled manpower in various countries. Therefore, students are given training in skills and language. Every student should be self-reliant. Therefore, in Maharashtra, we have been promoting the Scout and Guide movement since the first grade. As our country is agriculture-based, we include agriculture in education. From this year, engineering education will be started in Marathi, with a view to providing education in the mother tongue. Mr. Kesarkar said that there is a desire to provide medical education in Marathi in the future.
Mr. Dwivedi said that there is a need for coordination among various ideologies and thoughts. The aim of education should be to build a society with such coordination. With changing times, students are spending more time on OTT platforms, social media, TV, and games. Keeping in mind the challenges of this new knowledge, we need to change our teaching methods. We also need to respect new media and platforms. However, we need to regulate them, as Mr. Dwivedi said.
Secretary Mr. Sanjay Kumar provided information on the educational programs of the Government of India.
Senior officials from the education departments of the central government, states, and centrally administered territories are present for this Conference.
