NISA president Dr Khulbushan Sharma advocates for reforms in Indian Education System
Highlights urgent need to prioritize educational development in Kashmir and addresses challenges faced by private schools
Srinagar, Jun 10: President of the National Independent Schools Alliance (NISA) Dr Khulbushan Sharma Saturday delivered a compelling address at the National Education Conference.
According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Dr Khulbushan in his speech emphasized the urgent need for comprehensive reforms in the Indian education system, aiming to shape it into the true future of the nation.
The conference, organized by Uni Global Intellectuals Foundation (UNIGEF) in collaboration with the Private Schools Association Jammu and Kashmir (PSAJK), saw prominent speakers sharing their insights on the subject. Mr Naseer Ahmad Wani, Additional Secretary School Education, was the Chief Guest, expressing the government's commitment to providing quality education and emphasizing the important role that private schools should play.
In addition to Dr Khulbushan Sharma, other notable speakers included G N Var, President of PSAJK, and Rachna Bhimrajika, Founder Chairperson of UNIGEF. Their contributions added valuable perspectives to the discussions surrounding educational reforms.
Dr Khulbushan's address captivated the audience as he began by emphasizing the importance of promoting a green environment in schools, advocating for the implementation of sustainable practices in Green Schools.
He highlighted that education is the true future of Kashmir, known for its natural beauty, and urged stakeholders to prioritize educational development in the region.
One of the key points raised by Dr Khulbushan was the disparity between India's recognition of education as a top priority and the lack of tangible progress on the ground.
He called for immediate action to bridge this gap and ensure that education receives the attention and resources it deserves.
Drawing attention to the challenges faced by private schools in Kashmir, particularly in obtaining building safety certificates and the lack of nationwide emphasis on building safety standards, Dr Khulbushan proposed the "Ease of Running Schools" initiative on the pattern of Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) framework.
This initiative aims to make schools self-regulatory, taking responsibility for adhering to necessary regulations.
In order to streamline certification processes, Dr Khulbushan suggested alternative approaches, including replacing multiple certificates with an affidavit from school leaders, eliminating redundant and non-applicable No Objection Certificates (NOCs), and addressing concerns related to fees in private schools.
Dr Khulbushan emphasized that education is the responsibility of society and the government while highlighting research findings from Michigan and London regarding the misuse of funds and enrollment irregularities in public schools.
He advocated for moving beyond the Right to Education (RTE) and focusing on the Right to Quality Education (RTQE), calling for the closure of underperforming schools, improved teacher salaries in private schools, and the implementation of Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for effective fund utilization.
Encouraging unity among education stakeholders, Dr Khulbushan called for the establishment of an independent authority, the State School Standard Authority (SSSA), and emphasized the need for a collective effort to bring about meaningful reforms in the education system.
In conclusion, Dr Khulbushan expressed his gratitude to all attendees and highlighted the crucial role of education in the nation's prosperity and economic strength. He called for revised government rules, greater autonomy, and dignity for teachers, stressing the importance of an inclusive and unified approach to revolutionize the Indian education system.
The National Education Conference witnessed an insightful address from Dr Khulbushan Sharma, leaving attendees with a renewed sense of urgency to drive educational reforms and make India's education system a true catalyst for the nation's future.
The presence of Mr Naseer Ahmad Wani, Additional Secretary School Education, further emphasized the government's commitment to providing quality education. The contributions of G N Var, President of PSAJK, and Rachna Bhimrajika, Founder Chairperson of UNIGEF, added valuable insights to the discussions, creating a comprehensive platform for meaningful dialogue on educational reforms—(KNO)
