– D. Ramakrishna Rao
NEP-20 did come out with a concept that Schools are to be promoted as ‘samajik chetna kendras’, is an indication to enhance social responsibilities of education institutions. Of-course we have been discussing that the education by 2050 is to guide and focus more on life skills and social orientation. This is a step forward in this direction.
Not an Island:
A school is not simple a place where a student is shaped to be academically excellent with an all-round development of personality by building value and spiritual base, but also be trained to become a creative, innovative., experimentative and producer of knowledge. This is one aspect but other important one is that a school is not an ivory tower or island to work in isolation, but an agent of social change and transformation. We should not forget that educational institution is also a part of the system to bring reforms in the socio-cultural-economic fabric of the village. While defining the goals of education a student is to be integrated to the society and nation at large, was mentioned repeatedly in all the educational polices right since1968.
Influencing mindset of the society:
Schools shall leave a positive influence on the society by shaping the morals, mentalities and culture of the society. It can lead the society in some areas by becoming the chief instrument in a scheme of changes in human life. Vocational or technical education helps is the process of industrialization. Education changes the outlook of the people on social issues and also sharpen the skills and knowledge of the people. Hence mindset of the society can be changed by the school.
Schools should reach out the society beyond the gates in the community and conduct number of programs. Activities are to be designed to bring the society to the school for involvement, enrichment and empowerment of the people.
Stake holders with a social responsibility:
Principal, teachers, management, alumni, parents and students can all become agents of social change and service, with proper orientation. All these stakeholders have both individual as well as institutional social responsibility to serve and a role defined.
Some of the suggested activities and enterprises are given here under
1. Adopting a village or slum by the school:
At microlevel a village in rural areas and slums or seva basthis in unban dwellings are to be adopted, for which we undertake a detailed socio-cultural-economic survey after which prioritizing the problems, challenges and activities for transformation are chalked out by involving social, cultural and economic leadership of the village as well. Then action plan follows.
2. Undertaking service schemes in surrounding villages/ basthis:
Students are not only be techno-informative, modern and highly knowledgeable but also have a value base. Hence service activities like balasamskar kendras, vidyardhi vikasa kendras (tution centers), matru mandalis, adult education centers, Vocatianl training/skills development centers, tasks of self-reliance are to be planned with the help of parents, staff, students and sajjana shakthi of the society.
3. Participation in community and cultural festivals of the villages:
School should link itself to the society by participating in socio-cultural functions of the village. Our cultural, national and social values can be transmitted through these programs.
4. Students exposing to the conditions of underprivileged sections, along with important service and rural development projects:
Students should be encouraged to visit the sensitive areas to observe the health, hygiene, living environment and economic conditions to make a feel about their social responsibility. Important service, rural development and transformatory projects are to be visited to get a better understanding about the methods and process of service.
5. Adoption of surrounding schools for an educational change:
One or two schools may be adopted and benefits of school complex to enhance cooperation and sharing of resources for initiating a positive educational change in our area. Ways and means along with modus operandi can be thought as per the local needs and requirements. Especially in this technology driven world innovative mechanisms, ICT and other training modules can better be shared.
6. Better utilization of the school’s infrastructure:
School’s infrastructure may be better made available and utilized, by conducting summer camps, yoga training, social awakening activity, cultural exchange programs and skill development activities etc.
7. Planning pursuits for bringing society to school:
Involvement of society in different activities which are being held in the school may be an impetus and encourage enthusiastic proud participation to take a clue from time to time from other stake holders of the school. E.g.: social and health awareness programs, Environment and water management training activity etc.
8. Arranging Tasks for strengthening social harmony:
When these narrowminded caste approaches is occupying the upper minds of the people, Places of worship and schools can be ideal institutions where people can be involved with broad-minded submission in all endeavors. Social harmony (Samajik Samarasatha) in principle and practice at the individual, family, institution, workplace and social life level is very much essential for unity and integrity of the nation. Education can be a catalyst for this type of change and can bring a big reform.
Focus on sensitive areas
In conclusion, we can declare that national goals can also be transmitted and achieved by educational institutions. No school should become a victim of the mad race of competition but by focusing on strategic, sensitive, border and challenging problematic areas, the benefits can reach the unreached people and areas on which the progress of the nation depends.
Let us all work in the field of education for ultimate integration avoiding present differentiation and divisive trends. Ultimately my presentation is just an indication and direction but not all comprehensive. This is only to initiate and activate the thinking process.
– D. Ramakrishna Rao (Author has Retired Principal and National President of Vidya Bharati)
