Aligarh: IOS Centre for Historical and Civilisational Studies (IOSCHS) organised a symposium on “Gandhi Ji and Indian Education System in the Context of National Education Policy 2020” to honour Mahatma Gandhi on the Martyrs’ Day 2025, on January 30, 2025 at IOS Aligarh Chapter, Aligarh.

 

 

Dr. Yogesh Kumar Yadav, Assistant Professor, CAS Dept. of History, Aligarh Muslim University, expressed his views on ‘Gandhi Ji, Nai Taleem and New Education Policy 2020’.  In this presentation, he discussed the Gandhian scheme of education and its relation with National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Has NEP 2020 tried to accommodate any of the ideas of Gandhian Buniyadi Shiksha (Basic Education)? What are the commonalities and specificities between the two and what are we losing for ignoring his scheme of education? What were the objectives of Gandhian educational scheme? Has Buniyadi Shiksha still had its relevance? In order to address all these, he dwelled upon the context in which Buniyadi Shiksha was being formulated, some of its main provisions such as education through vernaculars, skill based education, self-supporting education, etc., and some of the provisions of NEP 2020 were analysed. How Gandhi Ji’s educational ideas have been either ignored and misinterpreted in NPE 2020 was discussed. Whereas Gandhi Ji offered a critique of colonial education, NEP 2020 is adopting colonial and neo-liberal epistemologies and ignoring local needs of the country.

 

 

Dr. Jabeen Anjum, Formerly Principal, Jamia Urdu College of Education, Aligarh presented her paper on ‘Gandhi Ji ka Jamia se T‘alluq’. She described Gandhi Ji’s relations with the Jamia Millia Islamia from its very inception. She said that Gandhi Ji connected himself with the Jamia teachers and students. She said that the Jamia was the first laboratory for implementing the concept of ‘Buniyadi T‘aleem/Shiksha’ in which teaching through mother tongue was the main principle. She explained how vocational education was made an integral part of the curriculum under the guidance of Gandhi Ji. Dr. Jabeen brought to light Gandhi Ji’s emotional attachment with the Jamia. She said that he was prepared to carry a bowl to collect funds to run the Jamia. One of Gandhi Ji’s sons became a teacher at Jamia. Jamia had come into existence in the wake of Non-Cooperation Movement and continued to connect with the political movements initiated by Gandhi Ji. The speaker also mentioned how students and teachers at Jamia Millia Islamia served the partition afflicted immigrants and served them in different camps to make them comfortable.

 

Mr. Mohammad Allam, who is pursuing research in the Deptt. of Education and a Post Graduate Teacher in History at STS (Minto Circle), Aligarh Muslim University, made a power-point presentation on ‘Gandhi Ji, Vocational Education in the Context of National Education Policy 2020”. In his presentation, he analysed the role of ideas of vocational education of Gandhi Ji in the formulation of vocational education policy in the National Education Policy 2020. He presented a comparative analysis of the vocational education of Gandhi Ji in the context of society, polity and economy under the British Government and the vocational education in the context of the present society, economy and polity of the present time. He found that there exist huge differences in the social, political and economic structure of the nation at the time of Gandhi Ji and in the present time. During the time of Gandhi Ji, economy was hugely dependent on the rural economy and needed the traditional skills based on the handicrafts. As a result, his vocational ideas were based on the training of those skills in the schools which could boost the rural economy. While in present time – the economy, society and polity is different, a new world economy and a new economy of India have emerged in 21st century which needs sophisticated technology and skills. To make India a world leader, a powerful economy is needed based on strong foundation. The vision of the nation and the industrial set up needs those skills and vocational knowledge which make the economy to compete internationally and create employment opportunities. For strengthening the economy there is a need to have a sophisticated technology, thriving research and development and modern vocational skills. The integration of artificial intelligence is a most sought area for economic development. So, the role of the ideas of vocational education of Gandhi Ji cannot be incorporated fully but partially and the New Education Policy 2020 has to incorporate the education and training of those vocational education and skills which are relevant to the society, economy and polity of the nation in present and in future. The final argument of the researcher was that the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 has a vision beyond the Gandhian ideas of vocational education and incorporates the emerging technological based vocational education.

 

Prof. Perwez Nazir, a specialist of Modern Indian History from CAS, Dept. of History, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh was the Guest of Honour. In his brief speech, he dwelt upon the educational ideas of Gandhi Ji and how he brought education to common men. He highlighted the significance of Gandhian idea of imparting education in mother tongue. He also focused on the efficacy of vocational education. He also stressed Gandhi Ji’s emphasis on value education by instilling nationalist sentiments in education.

 

In his presidential address, Prof. Arshi Khan, Dept. of Political Science, Aligarh Muslim University, Aligarh & Vice-Chairperson, Institute of Objective Studies, New Delhi noted with satisfaction the academic programmes conducted quite often by the IOS Centre for Historical & Civilisational Studies. He appreciated that the Centre was drawing support from across disciplines to promote discussion on different themes connected with social issues and religion. Prof. Khan paid tribute to Gandhi Ji by highlighting his honest and sincere services to the people of India. He said that Gandhi Ji was, in particular, working for the masses, the weaker sections of the society and minorities. As the Vice-Chairperson of the Institute of Objective Studies, Prof. Arshi Khan assured his full support to the IOSCHS in its academic pursuits and said that in future he would continue to visit the Centre to see the progress it is making to achieve the goals of the IOS.

 

In the end Prof. M. Waseem Raja, CAS, Department of History, Aligarh Muslim University & Joint Director, IOSCHCS, Aligarh thanked the delegates, the Guest of Honour, the Vice- Chairperson of the IOS and the learned audience.

 

At the end of the Symposium, all members were invited to a high tea.

 

A view of audience.