Correspondent
IMPHAL, JUN 22 (NPN): Manipur Chief Minister Yumnam Khemchand Singh on Monday underscored the transformative power of education and called for collective efforts from all stakeholders to successfully implement the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
The Chief Minister was speaking at the inaugural session of a three-day workshop on “Reforms in School Education of Manipur: An Approach to Implementation, Challenges and Opportunities of NEP-2020,” organised by Vidya Bharati Shiksha Vikash Samiti, Manipur, at the City Convention Centre in Imphal.
Quoting Nelson Mandela, Singh said education remains one of the most powerful tools for changing society and emphasized that NEP 2020 outlines the roadmap for achieving the vision of Viksit Bharat (Developed India) by 2047.
Highlighting the importance of mother-tongue education, he said children learn more effectively when taught in their native language and advocated the use of mother tongue as the medium of instruction up to Class V.
Expressing optimism about the workshop, the Chief Minister said it would contribute significantly towards achieving the objectives of the new education policy.
Referring to the prevailing law and order situation in the state, Singh said the summer vacation period had been reduced from three weeks to one week. He noted that educational institutions and government offices remained disrupted for nearly a month following the Tronglaobi incident, prompting the government to declare Saturdays as working days to compensate for lost time.
He added that Saturdays would be restored as holidays once pending work is completed.
Calling for wider participation in implementing NEP 2020, Singh said the responsibility should not rest solely with the government and stressed that the policy could succeed only through the combined efforts of the government, employees and the public.
Speaking at the programme, Chief Secretary Dr. Puneet Kumar Goel said India’s aspiration to become a developed nation by the centenary year of Independence would be driven significantly by NEP 2020. He highlighted the crucial role of teachers and education stakeholders in shaping the country’s future.
President of Vidya Bharati Purvottar Kshetra, Prof. Ganga Prasad Prasain, advocated introducing vocational and skill-development courses from Class VI onwards to equip students with practical skills and improve future self-employment opportunities.
The programme was attended by MLA Sapam Nishikant Singh, Dhanamanjuri University Vice-Chancellor W. Chandbabu Singh, Manipur University of Culture Vice-Chancellor P. Gunindro, Higher and Technical Education Commissioner Ningthoujam Geoffrey, along with teachers, professors and other education stakeholders.