The recent Shikshak Parv event, celebrated between 8th and 25th September 2020, was a marking to honor India’s educators and to help push forward the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This article delves into the specifics of this event, the significance of Teachers’ Day in India, and the essential features of the NEP 2020.
Shikshak Parv: A Celebratory Initiative
Shikshak Parv is a national occasion dedicated to lauding the unparalleled contributions made by teachers. In 2020, the festivity took place from 8th to 25th September, where the Ministry of Education organized a range of webinars on the NEP and its implementation strategy.
Teachers’ Day: Honouring Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan
Teachers’ Day is celebrated annually in India every 5th September as a tribute to Dr. Sarvapalli Radhakrishnan, who was born in Tiruttani, Tamil Nadu, in 1888. A multi-talented personality, Radhakrishnan held various eminent positions during his life, including being a teacher, philosopher, author, and politician. He served as the first Vice President of India from 1952–1962, and was the second President of India from 1962 to 1967. His commendable work was recognized with awards such as the knighthood in 1931, the Bharat Ratna in 1954, and honorary membership of the British Royal Order of Merit in 1963.
World Teachers’ Day: A Global Acknowledgement
Coinciding with the celebration of Teachers’ Day, World Teachers’ Day every 5th October commemorates the adoption of the 1966 ILO/UNESCO Recommendation concerning the Status of Teachers. This significant document outlines the rights, responsibilities, and standards for the initial preparation, further education, recruitment, employment, teaching, and learning conditions of teachers.
New Education Policy 2020: A Path to Reform
Introduced to replace the 34-year old National Policy on Education (NPE), 1986, the NEP 2020 holds the torch for transformational reforms in India’s school and higher education systems. Tailored to align with the UN’s 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, the NEP stands firmly on the foundational pillars of Access, Equity, Quality, Affordability, and Accountability. The policy proposes the creation of an autonomous body – the National Educational Technology Forum (NETF). The NETF will serve as a platform that enables informed decisions about the induction, deployment, and use of technology, all the while offering a space to share and learn from best practices.
In short, Shikshak Parv and Teachers’ Day, both nationally and globally, serve to appreciate the hardworking educators shaping our future generations. At the same time, the implementation of the New Education Policy envisioned to bring transformative changes in India’s educational landscape. The detailed exploration of these topics throws light on the continuing efforts to advance the country’s education sector.
