Regional workshop by USTM on “NEP 2020: a Game Changer for School Education”

9^th Mile, Khanapara, Ri Bhoi, December 4, 2022: To equip school teachers with materializing the National Education Policy 2020 at the school level, the University of Science and Technology Meghalaya (USTM) has collaborated with different stakeholders and state governments. More than 1500 teachers from various parts of the North East region have joined in a regional workshop here today on “NEP 2020: a Game Changer for School Education” organized by USTM in association with the Assam Higher Secondary Education Council. Experts from NCERT, CBSE, SEBA, and SCERT deliberated on different topics related to NEP and school education.

Addressing the gathering of school teachers, Prof B.K Tripathi, Former Director, IUCTE, Varanasi & Former Director, NCERT, New Delhi said, “We have to train teachers how to take care of the learner and parents so that the learning condition and outcome is balanced. NEP has given a call to all of us that the real implementation of NEP is the progression and integration of how the child moves from looking into himself or herself to the family and society and then moving with nature and the globe”. He was speaking on the topic “Critical insights on NEP 2020 and its implications for School Education.”

Prof. Dinesh Prasad Saklani, Director, NCERT & Chairperson, NCTE, New Delhi was the chief guest on the occasion and addressed the teachers. Shri R.C. Jain, IAS (Retd.), Chairman, Secondary Education Board of Assam spoke on “Translation of NEP 2020 into practice: Readiness of Schools”. Shri Thongkholet Mate, Regional Officer, CBSE Regional Officer, Guwahati addressed “NEP 2020: Sustainable Developmental Goals for the Faculty and Students”. Dr. Nirada Devi, Director SCERT also addressed on the “NEP-2020 and Science Education.” Dr. Paul Pudussery CSC, eminent Social Science Researcher spoke on “Career Openings for Faculty and Students in Higher Education in the light of NEP 2020”.

Speaking on this occasion, Mahbubul Hoque, Chancellor of the USTM said, “This kind of workshop will continue at regular intervals at different places and experts will be invited to conduct such kind of sessions.”  He deliberated on “Professional Development and Career Progression of School Teachers: A Way Forward”.

Making the presidential speech, Prof G D Sharma, Vice Chancellor, USTM, said, “The new education policy is a significant shift from the earlier education system. If we do not change with time, we will become obsolete. To bring NEP 2020 to action, there is an urgent need to equip teachers of all levels so that the real benefits of the policy reach the grassroots. An Interactive Session was also held where questions and feedback were taken by the respective experts.

Earlier, the welcome address was made by Dr. B.K Das, Pro. Vice Chancellor, USTM.  Delivering the vote of thanks, Dr. AH Barbhuiya, Academic Registrar, USTM said that the main goals of the workshop are to make the school teachers accustomed to the rules and regulations of the NEP, and provide them with knowledge about the reforms to be brought under the policy towards bringing in a profound impact on the country’s education.