11th Ideate Edition In Odisha Capital: Focus On Bridging Gaps In Education System

Bhubaneswar: Bansidhar & Ila Panda Foundation (BIPF) held its 11th edition of Ideate in Bhubaneswar on Wednesday emphasising the need to bridge the gaps in the education system to achieve best results.

The event, organised in partnership with FICCI-Aditya Birla CSR Centre for Excellence, held deliberations on India’s education landscape based on three essential parameters – National Educational Policy (NEP 2020), Blended Pedagogy and Technology Infusion in the post pandemic scenario. The multi stakeholder panel reflected on how to bridge the gaps in the education system in order to achieve best learning outcomes

Delivering the special address over virtual mode, CEO of Pratham Education Foundation Dr Rukmini Banerji said low-cost and personal connect with parents and children are essential factors to help the reach the underprivileged and rural sector.

Blended Pedagogy is not only about curriculum based experiential learning but blending parents and students into the education landscape. During pandemic, her team worked not only to teach all, also to reach all, Banerjii said

Distinguished panelists were Dr Y Suresh Reddy (Lead CSR & Director SRF Foundation), Dr Neelima Chopra (Lead-Early Childhood Care and Development, HCL Foundation), Madhukar Banuri (Founder – Leadership for Equity) and Prof Hrushikesh Senapaty (Ex-Director NCERT).

Trustee & CEO of BIPF Shaifalika Panda in her opening speech said  NEP 2020 sets out the objective of improving quality education, learning outcomes, equity in education through capacity building and digital outreach. Implementation frameworks must be designed by stakeholders keeping in mind the respective segment of learners each organisation serves.

Dr Reddy said “Teachers are facilitators; we need to empower them through capacity building and qualitative programs. Our aim is to make children future ready which is beyond school curriculum. The structural changes by Government should equally address to socio-emotional development of children”.

Dr Chopra said “Technology is a big enabler which depends on three factors: firstly Access (to technology, to device, to internet) secondly Equity (children from low income group should be able to leverage the benefit) and thirdly Technology progress should consider children with special need and children from low income group).

Banuri said policy framework is on one side but we should also understand the needs and demands of teachers and students to develop a qualitative framework. Teachers are at the point of delivery, they should feel Accountable, Supportive and Motivated

Prof Senapaty said National Curriculum Framework is looking to develop the curriculum by introducing new subjects, making it flexible and competency based.

Shaifalika Panda said the paradigm shift has started, but it needs a robust framework where stakeholders collectively address how to collaborate together for quality education to reach the last mile equitably. Be it private or government schools, NGOs or corporates – everyone must align with the goal of literacy.