Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 12: A meeting of J&K United School Teachers Association was held under the presidium of Rajeev Kumar, Hari Singh, Kanta Devi and Roop Chand, President, General Secretary, Chief Organiser, and district president Kathua respectively on the eve of foundation day of School Teachers Federation of India (STFI) to discuss the demands of teaching community and New Education Policy 2020.
While addressing the meeting, the provincial general secretary said it was unfortunate that new education policy was imposed in the country with cabinet decision without any discussion in the Parliament and consent of States as education being a state subject. He stressed upon the Government to bring the foundation stage within formal schooling rather than leaving to the mercy of the Anganwadi system. He suggested that Anganwadi Workers after being provided proper training be absorbed in the mainstream education system with proper infrastructure.
Rajeev Kumar welcomes introduction of mother tongue as medium of instruction and said scrupulous parity be maintained between Government schools and institutions maintained by the private sector by focusing on 3-R. “The vocationalisation and internship at class 6 when child is 11-12 years of age cannot decide his future, moreover it is against the provision of constitutional gaurantee and principles of child labour,” he added.
Kanta Devi said abolition of the tenth board will jeopardise the educational system at that stage and will undermine the sanctity of examination making the entire system as laissez – faire. “In the name of autonomy to education institutions while education will become costly due to increase in fee, new education policy in its present form invites foreign universities to India which will increase privatisation, commercialization and centralisation of education which will be opposed tooth and nail,” she said.
USTA appealed the Government to implement such a type of new education policy free compulsory and quality education for all especially for unprivileged sections and girl child.
Meeting also stressed upon the authorities to release pending salary and arrears of all category of teachers, regularize Lecturers, Head Masters and other officers, transfer overstayed teachers, Masters, Lecturers serving in far away places, debar teachers from all type of non academic duties and fill all vacant posts in Education Department by DPC.
Others who addressed the meeting, included Pardeep Singh, Raj Kumar, Zulifkar Ali Malik, Ganesh Datt, Sher Ali, Harsh Pal Singh, Thudu Ram and Netar Chand.
Follow our WhatsApp channel