Dimapur, March 17 (MExN): A three-day national seminar on Education commenced at Patkai Christian College (Autonomous) on March 17.
Under the theme “Impact of Commercialization and Communalization of Education in Naga Society,” the seminar is being organized by the All India Forum for Right to Education (AIFRTE) in collaboration with Patkai Christian College, and Nagaland University’s Department of Education – the latter offering academic support as well, a press release informed.
Principal Emeritus of the college Dr. Tuisem Shishak, delivering the inaugural speech, spoke about the Right to Education Act of 2009. He underlined the various concepts and ideas of democracy. Stating that free education was no education, he emphasized on privatizing education or to take policies put of the educational system. He also spoke about the need for teachers to demonstrate integrity, honesty and sincerity.
Dr. Anil Sadgopal, member of the AIFRTE’s presidium and former faculty of Delhi University’s Education department, presented a historical overview of how policies of commercialization and communalization worked in tandem to destroy India’s educational system and exacerbated inequality, discrimination, and exclusion.
Underlining the need for respecting the democratic strength and visions of every state, he emphasized on social justice, equal opportunity and respect for diversity. He also presented a concept of an alternative vision of state-funded free mother tongue-based common education. This system should be from kindergarten to postgraduate, he said. This is the only alternative vision in consonance with both the aspiration of the people and the constitutional imperatives.
The inaugural event was chaired by education activist Zhatsu Terhuja. Students of the college also presented a special song during the event. The technical session of the first day was chaired by Prof. Buno Liegise, Dean of the School of Humanities and Education of Nagaland University. The session covered various themes on education perspectives in Nagaland besides issues about teacher education.
