IOS demands intersection of disciplines, radical changes in education pattern

Monday April 18, 2011 08:19:51 AM, Pervez Bari, ummid.com

New Delhi: A demand has been made to the Government of India, all the state governments and the other stake-holders to radically change the present educational system which is based on testing memory rather than understanding.

This demand has been made in the nine-point resolutions passed by a voice vote at the conclusion of the three-day International Conference marking the beginning of the Silver Jubilee Celebrations of the Institute of Objective Studies here on Sunday at the India Islamic Cultural Centre. The resolutions were read out by Prof. Faizan Mustafa, Vice Chancellor of National Law University, Orissa.

The conference urged major reforms in the examination systems, curricula development, faculty recruitment, governance of education and accountability of teachers and administrators. In this connection, the conference also urged the Government of India to implement the recommendations of the National Knowledge Commission, the Sachar Committee and Justice Ranganath Mishra Commission Report.

In an another resolution the conference resolved that the real knowledge is at the intersection of the disciplines and, therefore, rather than erecting the walls of separation between various disciplines, it urged integration of knowledge as one of the most important goals of our knowledge reform.

The other resolutions which were passed on the occasion are as follows:

1. The conference notes with a degree of satisfaction the rise in literacy rate as per the latest census figures but expresses its dismay on absence of enlightenment which is essential for developing a versatile personality. We do believe that though the education is spreading the world over it is not bringing refinement, broad vision, intellectual and moral richness as well as happiness in human lives. The conference urges all concerned to promote the goals of enlightenment as enshrined in the preamble of the Indian Constitution.

2. The conference resolves that the knowledge revolution will remain an empty slogan if access to knowledge remains limited to a privileged few excluding the large masses of the poor and the downtrodden. The conference also urges all concerned to give priority to the spread of education amongst minorities and the marginalised sections of the society. We, therefore, urge establishment of more and more minority institutions by the minority communities and simultaneously demand the Central and State Governments to take appropriate steps to set up adequate numbers of educational institutions of the state in the minority-concentrated areas. The conference also believes that no meaningful education would be possible without recognising due importance of primary education being imparted in the mother tongue.

3. The conference resolves that education is the key to empowerment. Knowledge alone can bring about sustainable development which must be based on generational equity and should be fully inclusive. This inclusive development, the conference, urges should be based on preservation of India’s rich diversity.

4. The conference resolves that inclusive growth is not possible without equal opportunities being given to all sections of the society particularly minorities and other marginalised communities. The conference, therefore, urges the Government of India to take immediate steps to set up an Equal Opportunity Commission.

5. The conference resolves that so long we have injustices in our society, no meaningful development or peace could be achieved and therefore to attain the lofty and cherished goal of peace through knowledge and development, we must strive to eliminate all forms of injustices and create a truly just, humane and egalitarian society. The roadmap of future in a knowledge society should, therefore, be based on expansion, inclusion and excellence.

6. The conference resolves that lasting peace can be achieved through enlightenment and knowing each other and appreciating distinctive identity of each other. The goal of attainment of peace will remain a dream till we achieve peace between and within various religions, castes, tribes and groups.

7. The conference urges the Government of India and the Government of Pakistan to release all prisoners of Pakistan and India respectively who have been falsely implicated particularly Dr. Mohammad Khaleel Chisti and Sabarjit Singh. The conference urges the use of pardoning power to ensure release of the two prisoners. The conference resolves world peace can be achieved if lasting peace is ensured in the Indian sub-continent. Release of prisoners of each other country will create most conducive environment for peace.

(pervezbari@eth.net)
 

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Picture of the Day

Farooq Naikwadi, a counselor for Civil Services exams, addressing a workshop on the topic at Abdullah Ash Shae Auditorium, Mansoora in Malegaon April 09, 2011

(Photo: ummid.com)