During five-day “Shikshak Parv” (Teachers’ Day) celebrations from September 5 to 10 many events were organized by Department of Economics (AMU) to honor the birth anniversary of former Indian President Dr. S. Radhakrishnan. On the final day of the celebration (10 September), the department of Economics organized special lectures on, “Main Features of the National Education Policy (NEP)-2020 and Role of Teachers.”

Prof M M Ansari, who was the chief guest is former Central Information Commissioner and member University Grants Commission while comparing the earlier educational policies with NEP-2020 and explaining how the demand for 6 percent of the GDP allocation for educational sector came up said, “With the implementation of the NEP-2020, India will become a worldwide knowledge superpower. “The new educational strategy, with its comprehensive approach and emphasis on science and technology, would boost India’s education sector. It will facilitate the establishment of international university campuses in India and the introduction of new e-courses, he said.

“NEP-2020, the first Indian education policy of the 21st Century, is nurturing the development of each student’s creative potential with flexibility, no hard separations between subjects, curricular and extracurricular activities, multidisciplinary education, conceptual understanding, and critical thinking,” Prof. Ansari opined.

Another learned speaker Manohar Manoj (senior journalist, editor of Economy India, and public thinker), while shedding light on the topic emphasized on equal opportunities for all students at all levels of education. He advocated for the effective use of existing resources, the presence of regulatory authorities in the private sector’s education system, and an equal society, including a fair ranking system, board, curriculum, language requirements, and public-private partnerships. He emphasised that “education is vital for realising one’s full potential, creating a just and equitable society, and advancing national progress.”

The Special Invitee, Mohammad Naushad Khan (Sub Editor-Radiance Views and the Rapporteur of the Special Lectures Programme) while presenting a brief report said, “Be it the National Educational Policy of 2020 or any other policy that were conceptualized in the past, was aimed at reforming education, redesigning curriculum, strengthening teaching and learning process with the use advanced technology, expertise and skills. Good teachers are the reason why ordinary students dream to do extraordinary things. And this is what is exactly required today and will help to achieve the desired goal of National educational policy. As per the new education policy the teachers will need a variety of conceptual, practical, interpersonal, and innovative skills to transform India into Vishwa Guru.”

“NEP-2020 offers improvements for education at every level, from school to higher education. It places a greater emphasis on enhancing teacher preparation, improving the exam system, improving child care, and reorganising the regulatory structure of education, according to Prof. Md. Abdus Salam (Chairman, Department of Economics). Prof. Abdus Salam expressed his opinions by adding: “NEP-2020 is the necessary step for making reforms in the education sector in accordance with the needs of the society and economy. The new educational policy will boost students’ abilities and talents, which will boost the nation’s performance in terms of human development. AMU Vice Chancellor, Prof. Tariq Mansoor helped and supported us at all level to make the teachers day celebration a grand success and we are highly thankful to him.

There is no better way to honour teachers than to celebrate Teachers’ Day, according to Prof. Nisar Ahmad Khan (Former Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences), who made the opening remarks.

Teachers spend a lifetime guiding students down the proper pathways. When discussing the history of Teachers’ Day, Dean of the Faculty of Social Sciences Prof. Mirza Asmer Beg noted: “When Dr. Radhakrishnan became President of India, his students pressed for marking his birthday. Dr. Radhakrishnan, who has always been a man of values, asked that they observe Teachers’ Day rather than his birthday on that day.

MA Student, Tehmeesh Khan won the speech competition with BA students, Mohammad Owais, Mohd Adil Iqubal and Md Shadan Kausar receiving the second, third and consolation prizes respectively in the contest judged by Prof Shehroz Alam Rizvi and Prof Mohd Azam Khan.

BA student, Musharraf won the poetry contest in which Tehmeesh Khan (MA) stood second and Harshit Gupta (BA) finished third. Mohd Adil Iqubal got the consolation prize.