AIFUCTO claims NEP 2020 ‘flawed’

All India Federation of University and College Teachers’ Organization (AIFUCTO) president, Prof. Kesab Bhattacharya termed the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 as flawed and alleged that the implementation of the NEP will lead to, “survival of the richest and not the fittest.”
Prof. Bhattacharya said this while speaking at the two-day National Executive Meeting (NEC) and National Seminar of All India Federation of University & College Teachers’ Organisations (AIFUCTO) at Kohima Science College, Jotsoma, here on Friday.
The event was jointly organised by AIFUCTO and All Nagaland Government College Teachers’ Association (ANGCTA) in collaboration with Kohima Science College Teachers’ Association (KSCTA).
Prof. Battacharya also said the NEP proposed three Cs – centralization, commercialization and communication – in spite of the demands of almost all democratic organizations that the education system should be a combination of three Es – equity, excellence, and education for all.
He said this was the main reason why the AIFUCTO was against NEP 2020. He pointed out that this new policy was proposed in the month of July 2020 when Covid-19 pandemic was at its peak.
He further said that new policy was well drafted and lucid, but when read between the lines, the policy was going to be a dangerous.
He further said the NEP aims to achieve gross enrolment of almost 50 per cent by 2035 for which huge financial expenditure is required.
Battacharya asserted that AIFUCTO would give its best to intervene and make necessary changes in the NEP 2020 and avert the potential harm it was about to cause.
Sharing the keynote address, general secretary, AIFUCTO, Prof Arun Kumar pointed out the reasons why AIFUCTO was opposing NEP-2020. Kumar said it was against, basic structure of the constitution.
“The NEP-2020 is the only education policy since independence that has neither been subjected to public debate nor placed before the departmental parliamentary committee on education” he said and added that it was approved merely by the internal process of cabinet approval.
A short presentation on teacher’s movement in North East India, was given by national secretary, NE Zone, Prof M Lokendro Singh. Earlier, the programme was chaired by KSCTA president, Dr Richard Dzüvichü who also gave the opening remark and welcome note.
A special number was presented by Chumbeno Ezung on behalf of Kohima Science College Students while students of Kohima College Kohima presented a traditional song.
Later at a press conference, Prof Arun Kumar said AIFUCTO, being the largest teachers’ organisation in the world would be taking up some of the crucial issues pertaining to teachers’ welfare and the NEP-2020 during the two-day event.
He disclosed that AIFUCTO would be organising various dharnas across the country to attract the attention of government of India since the latter had been acting in such a way which was disastrous to the unity of the nation.
He added that the organisation was also pursuing for reverting to the old pension scheme as the new pension scheme was not beneficial for the employees.
Joining the discussion, Prof Kesab Battacharya said AIFUCTO has viewed the appointment of teachers seriously and that it would be writing to the state government in this regard.