From
the Editor's Desk
Hello
readers!
Our new financial year started this month. We have planned
to take up new initiatives and quite a few activities, which
hopefully will lead us to fulfill our objectives. Through
this newsletter, we try to keep you aware of what we have
been doing, and by your response, we can feel encouraged,
rectify our mistakes, and together we can tread the path
towards our goal of making quality education a reality for
all children. Do write back to us.
- Anupama (Editor)
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Education
Bill 2004
When
the Constitution of India was born in 1950, article 45 (under
the Directive Principle of State Policy) stated to provide
at least eight years of elementary education to children.
But education was not recognised as a fundamental right.
It was many years after, in the year 2001 the 93rd Amendment
Bill (now known as the 86th Constitutional Amendment) was
passed making education a Fundamental Right for children
in the age group of 6-14 years. It is recognised as a progressive
leap forward, but the process is not complete. Till now,
no legislation has been passed on children’s education.
Though late, a thought has been going on to enact a bill
on free and compulsory education for children. An Act is
highly desirable, but the draft bill in its present form
has quite a number of flaws and loopholes. We and many other
concerned people in India, have taken up this issue, and
are actively into suggesting to bring in positive changes
in the draft, before its is tabled in the Parliament. Then
only can India really have an effective Act for children.
A peep into the faults in the draft :
 The
various education policies of the country have mentioned
education as, quality education for all children. And it
can only be provided through formal schooling. There can
be no alternative to formal schooling but this draft has
given discretion to the Government to continue with the
cheap alternatives for the majority, which is no education
in fact.
Children
between 0-6 years and above 14 years have been excluded
from this draft.
Parents
who are unable to send their children to school will be
penalised but nothing is mentioned of the erring Government
officials.
It
has been said that unaided private schools have to admit
children of family below the poverty line, the maximum being
prescribed is 20%. The catch is that it will be always open
to the attendance authority to even not to give 1% free
seats to them.
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Curriculum
Analysis Workshop
A curriculum
analysis workshop was held by us at Delhi between December
14th-17th, 2003, focusing on the significance of curriculum
in the overall education system. A few people from our office
and about 28 grassroots level education workers from the
states of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh participated
in the workshop, and through the process of discussion,
sharing of experiences and group work, analysed the importance
of curriculum in the broader context.
A theme paper was prepared for this workshop which covered
the topics and themes of importance of education; the nature
of education in the era of capitalism; the change in the
nature of education in India, right from the days of colonialism;
what is meant by curriculum and how it has been manipulated
by the people who are in control of the situation, and how
the divisive school system gradually evolved; and what thoughts
should go to bring about positive changes. This workshop
basically focussed on how to do analysis of the curriculum
and think of one which, can be liberative, contextual, flexible
and encourages community input.
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Vikramshila's
Diary
The Potential of World Social Forum (WSF)
In many countries across the world, individuals and civil
societies are showing concern and protest against the forces
of globalisation and liberalisation, which in most spheres
is disturbing and ruining the social fabric. WSF is one
such platform, which is a conglomeration of thousand and
thousand of people who are asserting for alternatives to
counter such threats. It had its genesis in Brazil and is
now identified with the popular slogan "Another world is
possible." This year the WSF meet was held in Mumbai between
Jan 16th-21st and it generated lot of curiosity, interest,
opinions and reflections. Mrs. Shubhra Chatterji (Director,
VERS) was invited to speak in a panel discussion organised
by NCPED on 'Converging Disability with other Human Rights
Movements'. What needs to be told here is that, bringing
in a revolutionary change in society cannot be done by merely
organising such meets and just voicing protests, but the
glimmer of hope is, it has been able to mobilise people,
bringing people from variety of contexts and situations,
coming and sharing their views and the positive energy and
vibe generated which at least has the potential to combat
such issues of concern.
Adda with a difference
As we had mentioned in our previous issue, we try to have
an informal session with someone, on an issue of interest.
Last month on 24th, we had a very interesting conversation
with Prof. Prasanta Roy (Sociologist) on ‘Education as an
instrument of change’ and ‘Social hierarchy, Ideology and
school curricula’. It was not that when the adda ended and
along with it the things discussed were kept in the backburner,
rather we enrich ourselves and apply what comes out of it
in the activities we take up, which naturally becomes in
depth and informed in the process.
Time for Sports..
The month of January is sports time for our children of
Naba Disha. The cluster sports of various centres were held
one after the other, much to the enjoyment of children.
It was held in the centres at Tiljala, Nadial &Metiabruz,
Khardah, Titagarh & Jagaddal, Purba Jadavpur. And from this,
students were selected for the final annual sports of Naba
Disha. That was not all!! This year, in the Kolkata Police
Annual Sports, a group of about 100 children of Naba Disha,
performed juggling and aerobics in front of a huge gathering
of people, which was very much appreciated. This performance
was taught by the Police Training School. The Chief Minister
of West Bengal and many eminent people attended the event.
The smile and claps proved people’s liking, and above all,
the Chief Minister said that children from Naba Disha should
perform every year in this event. It was a proud moment
for us!
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