A Brief Report on One Day Eastern Region Consultation Workshop with Civil Society Groups on National Curriculum Framework (Jharkhand & Odisha) 17th August, 2022

Central University of Jharkhand, Ranchi organised One Day Eastern Region Consultation Workshop with Civil Society Groups on National Curriculum Framework (Jharkhand & Odisha) on 17th August, 2022 in collaboration with National Council of Educational Research and Training, New Delhi. The programme was inaugurated through lighting the lamp by the chief guest Prof. Kameshwar Nath Singh, Hon’ble Vice Chancellor, Central University of South Bihar and chairperson, East 1 Region Organising Committee along with the other honourable guests. The programme co-coordinator Dr. Shashi Singh, Associate Professor and Head of the Department of Education, Central University of Jharkhand, welcomed the guests contextualising National Curriculum Framework 2022 in the light of National Education Policy 2020.

Prof. P. C. Agarwal, principal, RIE, Bhubaneswar discussed about the programme and context by mentioning the role of NCERT in framing NCF 2022 and the role of government to gather data for the same context. Prof. Kameshwar Nath Singh, VC, CUSB, highlighted the role of teachers for the successful implementation of NCF 2022. Presidential address was delivered by Prof. Kshiti Bhusan Das, Hon’ble VC, CUJ, Ranchi. Vote of thanks for this session was delivered by Prof. Ratanesh Vishvaksen, Dean, Department of Education, CUJ. The second session covered the important views offered by vice- chancellors of different universities. The session began with the speech of Prof. Sharad Sinha, Head, Department of Teacher Education, NCERT. She talked about the role of blended classrooms for teachers and teacher educators as well. Prof. Tapan Kumar Shandilya, VC, Ranchi University, related NCF 2022 with the views of Gandhiji with special emphasis on Buniyadi education. Prof. A. C. Pandey, Department of Geoinformatics, CUJ mentioned the role of school education as the base of higher education. Dr. Vimal Kishor, co-coordinator of the programme mentioned the role of experiential learning, vocational education, learning beyond rote memorization. After this the house was opened for discussion seeking the viewpoints of the guests and participants. The major points of discussion encompass the role of vernacular medium, competence development, coding and app development programme, difference between urban and rural educational institutions and the endeavour to remove it. The third session encompasses the viewpoints of the members of civil society organizations. Mr. Sharik, stakeholder from an NGO named ‘Dream A Dream’, another stakeholder from NGO named Pratham, Miss Megha, Mr. Chandan Singh, another stakeholder from an NGO named Pratigya elaborated their role in the field of education. Prof. Laxmidhar Behra, RIE, Bhubaneswar, summarized the session with his valuable views. Open discussion was arranged at the end of the session. The major points of discussion are the ways to change parents’ mindset, connection of co-curricular activities, sensitivity towards gender including transgender to be inculcated from the very childhood. The stakeholder from the NGO named PRATIGYA advised to simplify the terminology regarding gender education, inclusive education etc so that these things can be understood by all. The fourth session was by Prof. Raman Kumar Jha, Vice-chancellor, Amity University, Ranchi. He put emphasis on age- based curriculum to create a good human being with skills, lifelong learning, career education, vocational education and micro-credentials which are essential for everyone to update our skills in every sphere of our life. Prof. R. Mohalik, RIE, Bhubaneswar, the moderator summarized the talk of Prof. Raman Kumar Jha. After the summarization, there was a short discussion session with the audience. The discussion session covered the need of vocational education from class VI onwards, proposal of 10 bagless days in the schools to develop the skills of the students.

The fifth session was organized with the members of NGOs. Mr. Parul Sharma, member from UNICEF offered some suggestions for the implementation of NEP 2020. Suraj Kumar Singh, representative of NGO named Room to Read, emphasized the importance of adult education. Dr. Prasad from Rahini Science Club focused on hands on experience in teacher training courses. Miss Tanvi Jha coming from NGO named Child in Need Institute talked about language barrier and importance of mother tongue in textbooks. Sri Joyel Baburaj from KCT Group talked about alternative education and their Kashvi education system. Prof. R. Mohalik, RIE, Bhubaneswar, acknowledges the role of NGOs to promote learning for the vulnerable group. Prof. Sukadev Bhoi, VC, BBM Koyalanchal University, Dhanbad said that the implementation of the policy is very important. Prof. P. C. Agarwal, principal RIE, Bhubaneswar, summarised the activities throughout the programme.

Prof. Kameshwar Nath Singh, Hon’ble Vice-Chancellor, CUSB delivered the concluding remark and vote of thanks was delivered by Dr. Vimal Kishor, Programme co-coordinator followed by National Anthem and certificate distribution. The workshop was a grand success with the active participation of the educational stakeholders from different genre of the society.