M A Shah
Government of West Bengal established an Education Commission to prepare the roadmap and perspective plans for the state’s education sector covering Elementary, Secondary, Higher, Technical and Vocational Education, including Madrasah Education with a unique objective of excellence.
The power of sight and wisdom also indicates that Jammu and Kashmir needs a similar full-fledged “Education Commission,” – an umbrella structure for cooperative monitoring, strategic planning, quick accountability, and comprehensive implementation of policies that are in line with the 21st century.
This article provides a framework for comprehending the importance, roles, and contributions of such organizations, and facilitating innovation and collaboration. Since this commission would be the foundation of the governance and decision-making, it should be given the authority, trust, and power to:
Create an education roadmap with a crystal-clear future that addresses elementary, secondary, higher, professional, vocational and liberal education. In addition to a clearly defined approach, it must dismantle the enormous, decades-old barriers that have been erected between the systems, especially in school and higher education as rightly mentioned in the article, “Are we teaching for tomorrow”.
Evaluate the program and course curricula and make recommendations for modifications based on the most recent global trends and quickly evolving technological advancements. In addition to evaluating the outcome that classroom learning and curriculum should be in sync with one another, accountability and assessment of the efficacy of subjects and the values of each course, with the elimination of overlap to ensure that they fulfil the demands and expectations of our students.
Strengthen the connections between academia and business, which will make education more sensitive to the demands of the economy, which will ultimately lead to societal prosperity. Encouraging the development of problem-solving abilities, concrete skills (i.e., practical skills), and an entrepreneurial culture to produce a workforce prepared for the Job Market forging industry – academia linkage. Our methodology does not reflect this, and experiential learning is absent despite repeated commands, the only way to harness the full potential of our youth.
With a framework for institutional responsibility and the establishment of new institutions through an appropriate regulatory mechanism, the commission will be required to assess and critically review current acts, ordinances, rules, and processes in education and provide periodic recommendations for modifications.
Many learning centres and institutions have to be reshaped, reorganized, relocated, and merged as a result. It must also conduct space audits and, whenever necessary, streamline the infrastructure and workforce. (Sharing of resources is imperative and in line with NEP 2020.)
“The Department of Education in Jammu & Kashmir is set to establish a model Commission for Education dedicated to fostering academic excellence and expanding educational access. By partnering with private sector stakeholders and education experts, this commission will lead strategic initiatives focused on improving teaching standards, enhancing flexibility, and prioritizing character development to prepare future generations.”
Online setups must be strengthened and expanded. Since it affects every aspect of life, this infrastructure is necessary both in good and bad times and can be used to make deliver effectively. These structures need to be improved and enhanced in light of the growing population. For future survival, computer-based assessment is also mandatory.
Attracting private investors to the state’s educational system in order to make it the nation’s centre for education, including proposing Public-Private Partnership (PPP) initiatives, especially for lower education. On such programs, public input on performance and accomplishments must be examined on a regular basis with the help of legal experts. It can close the gaps in infrastructure and expand access to education.
Innovation in existing system will improve the overall standards of education. Multidisciplinary Education and Research University (MERUs) of international standard, with the opportunity for reputable institutions throughout the world to create branches is also in demand. In accordance with policy, the commission will assist in coordinating the UT’s educational systems with reputable institutions both domestically and internationally.
The commission should comprise of distinguished specialists, subject matter experts, and stack holders for discussions during its summits and meetings. These individuals should also be empowered to handle incidental and ancillary concerns. In order to accommodate everyone under one roof, the commission will need a large campus with officials from all coordinates. This will be followed by several offices that must be in constant communication down the line for updates and prompt resolutions.
Training centres, science cities, laboratories, observatories, Central Library, monitoring wing, State Board, and a large auditorium with conference rooms next to it should all be present at this site. Promoting educational excellence, increasing educational possibilities, and offering top-notch teaching and mentoring facilities that will meet the needs of future generations are all part of the mandate. Ministry of Education and the Minister of Education, J & K, will recognize this and establish a model Commission for Education in Jammu & Kashmir. By maintaining in touch with private sector benefactors and education enthusiasts, the commission shall be instrumental in guiding the direction of educational progress, including quality, accessibility, and flexibility, with due emphases of character building.
(The author is Dean, Alumni & International Affairs at NIT Srinagar. The views, opinions and conclusions expressed in this article are those of the author and aren’t necessarily in accord with the views of “Kashmir Horizon”)
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