All India Forum for Right to Education (AIFRTE) on Thursday stressed the need for a common education system with a vision on the basis of diversity of the country setting aside uniform syllabus system and community in curriculum. Delivering key note address, at the inaugural function of the three-day seminar on the theme, “impact of commercialization and communalization of education in Naga society” at Patkai Christian College (Autonomous), AIFTRE member presidium, Prof. Anil Sadgopal said “we” need to build a “new India from the restricted notion of India” towards achieving common education system.
He also cited on Articles 14, 15 (i), and stressed the need for respecting the democratic strength and emphasized on the vision of every state which should be focusing 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. According to Prof. Sadgopal, “multi-layering of school systems” on the basis of caste, class and even gender was destroying India’s educational system and emphasized the need to understand the policy of privatization before discussing the impact of privatization of schools. He added that even the simple statement in our preamble was enough to understand the notion of education. Prof. Sadgopal also admitted that structures in itself was not enough, but the “processes” that goes on within the structures was important to bring about change. Reflecting upon the present situation in Nagaland, principal Emeritus, PCC Rev. Dr. Tuisem Shishak said that Nagaland needs to reflect on its present situation, by cleaning up our “corrupt practices” and run schools as an “educational system” and not to politicize.
Highlighting on the Right to Education Act of 2009, he said free education was no education, but emphasized on privatizing the education system in the state.
Shishak also called for hiring academically qualified individuals as teachers in strengthening the education system. Earlier, chair person of the function, education activist, Zhatsu Terhüja called upon the participants to “think together” in bring changes in the education system.
Students of the college also presented a special song during the event. Technical session of the first day was chaired by Prof. Buno Liegise, dean of the School of Humanities and Education of Nagaland University. Patkai Christian College with academic support from Nagaland University, Department of Education is hosting the seminar and organized by All India Forum for Right to Education (AIFRTE). During the three-day period, relevant speakers would be presenting paper presentations on various topics such as perspectives of education in Nagaland, teacher education and challenges to education etc.