Discussion on proposed education policy

A discussion on the new education policy proposed by the Centre was organised by the like-minded at the Government Employees’ Association building in Mangaluru on Thursday.

People from various disciplines opined that the proposed policy on education should address the issues of non-discrimination among children on the grounds of media of instruction. They meanwhile felt that provisions for children with learning disabilities should be included in the bill. Effective implementation of children’s rights should be an integral part of the new education policy proposed by the Union government, which had called for suggestions from the public towards the drafting of the policy.

Child rights activist Renni D’Souza said that 22 teams have been formed for the discussion on primary education and 13 teams have been formed for the discussion on higher education. Various themes sent by the Union government for the discussion include effect of learning, extension of high school and pre-university education, quality evaluation, development of languages, among others at the primary level.
Skill development in higher education, warding off the regional, gender and social disparities, linking higher education to society, developing meaningful partnerships with the private sector, internationalisation of higher education and other themes have been mentioned with respect to higher education.

Discussions are being carried out at the village level and will also be carried out at the block, district and state levels, D’Souza said. Advocate Dinesh Ulleppadi said that the loopholes in the Right To Education Act, should be addressed in the policy.
Someshwar gram panchayat member Ismail opined that the quality of teaching must be included in the policy, as in many places the teachers do not meet the necessary criteria.

Padi member Kasturi said that the questions mentioned under various themes need redesign, depending upon the regional necessities.The suggestions to be presented at the district-level meet in this connection were listed out.

Social activists Munir Katipalla, Linda Pais and Vasudev Ucchil and others were present.