Srinagar: School of Education (SoE), Central University of Kashmir (CUK) organized a one-day seminal-cum-webinar on “Pandemic Pedagogy: Issues, Challenges & Opportunities,” on the National Education Day, to commemorate the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the first Education Minister of India.
In his address, Vice Chancellor, Prof. Farooq Ahmad Shah, said, “Maulana Abul Kalam was a visionary and gave importance to the education of the common man, emphasizing that basic education needs to be a fundamental right of every child in India.” Prof. Shah said, “It took our nation almost five decades to give legal binding to the vision of Maulana Azad in terms of making ‘Right to Education a Fundamental Right for children from six to 14 years of age in 2009”. He remarked that, “Information Communication Technology was handy in terms of being responsive to the requirements of the unique scenario like Covid-19 Pandemic.”
In her keynote address, Chairperson, National Institute of Open Schooling, New Delhi, Prof Saroj Sharma, said, “India was lucky to have Maulana Azad as first Education Minister as he was instrumental in establishing the first IIT at Kharagpur besides setting up other institutions at national level”. She said, “Maulana Azad served the nation in many capacities and roles as freedom fighter, philosopher, writer, educationist, journalist, extension worker, education minister and so on”. She remarked, “Dealor’s Commission, University Education Commission, Secondary Education Commission were highly influenced by the ideological imports from Maulana Azad”. She further said, “The existing NEP is basically reflecting many interests and aspirations of Maulana Azad”.
Finance Officer, Prof. Fayaz Ahmad Nika, said, “Available online technology is not a panache for all the problems/diseases which affected the whole humanity as a result of Covid-19. Online teaching has been a great answer to many questions posed by Covid-19 scenario but it cannot possibly be a replacement for in person interaction between the teacher and the taught”.
Sr. Prof, SoE, Prof. Nighat Basu, said, “Maulana Azad was a champion of secularism and Human values. He was an institution by himself who championed the cause of girl education, universal education, adult education and citizenship education.” She said he (Maulana) was an extension worker who reached the unreached and built a knowledge-based society.
Consultant Academics, Prof. Parveen Pandit, introduced the event theme and described the biography of Maulana Azad with special reference to his contributions in freedom struggle, education, journalism, morality, philosophy, gender education etc.
Dean, SoE, Prof. Syed Zahoor Ahmad Geelani, in his remarks, said, “Education does not mean only to read and write or to explore the literature but, to develop into a personality who is ready to get adjusted according to the demands of the situation at hand”.
Asst. Prof, SoE, Dr. Firdous Ahmad Sofal conducted the programme proceedings while Asst. Prof. SoE Ms. Saima Bashir proposed the vote of thanks. Asst. Prof, SoE, Mr. Reyaz Ahmad Wani, was the rapporteur of the inaugural session. The seminar witnessed two parallel business sessions for presentation of a number of research papers on the selected theme.
