RAJIV GANDHI STUDY CIRCLE (PUNJAB) RAJIV GANDHI STUDY CIRCLE PUNJAB CELEBERATE BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF SH. RAJIV GANDHI Ludhiana : 21 August

RAJIV GANDHI STUDY CIRCLE (PUNJAB)

RAJIV GANDHI STUDY CIRCLE PUNJAB CELEBERATE BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF SH. RAJIV GANDHI

Ludhiana : 21 August -(Dharamvir Nagpal Paris) Rajiv Gandhi Study circle Punjab celebrated the birth anniversary of Sh. Rajiv Gandhi in different districts of Punjab. An essay writing contest was organized in Ludhiana and Ferozepur in which more than 100 students of different colleges participated. The theme of the contest was “Right to Education”. In Ferozepur the contest was organized at RSD College where 80 students participated. The contest was organized under the leadership of Prof. J.R. Prashar, Zonal Co-oridnator. In Ludhiana essay writing contest was organized at Kamla Lohtia S.D. College Ludhiana where around 30 students participated and write essay on the Right to Education. In Amritsar Rajiv Gandhi Study Circle Punjab Guru Nanak Dev University unit organized Seminar on Protection of fundamental rights right to education and education for all at D.A.V Public School Lawerence Road Amritsaron 20^th August2009. The G.N.D.U RJSC Coordinator Mr Gurshaminder Singh Bajwa welcomed the key speakers and initiated the discussion on the pertinent issue for which policy makers need to get response from those sections which are really affected by decision making bodies. The speakers comprised of eminent academicians,Dr Sukhdev Singh professor of English and president of State chapter of INTACH, Dr Vikram Chadha Eminent economist from G.ND.U Amritsar Madam Neera Sharma Principal D.A.V Public School ,Mr Gurdeep Singh Randhawa senior Vice president RASA Punjab.

Madam Neera Sharma highlighted the issue of examinations system which infact students want to be retained so as to be part of competitive environment. She underlined that system of providing learning to children should be healthy rather than stressful .She emphasized that quality and method of teaching by teachers is mantra for holistic development of Children.

Dr Vikram Chadha linked the issue of poverty which is crucial input for accessing education. He provided contrast between various programs intiated by state like midday meal scheme, Sarv siksha Abhiyan etc .He pondered over allocation of expenditure on education which is less than 3% of GDP which should be around 10% of GDP if education is determined as fundamental right .His talk focused on quality of education ,quantum change in syllabi ,infrastructure gaps .He also touched upon issue of regulating institutions coming from abroad and private players participation which adversely affect state commitment to education for all. Dr Chadha co related human resources lack of professionalism and perfect ness as hindrance to overall development.

Dr Sukhdev Singh while evaluating the education bill tried to conceptualize terms like Education, Literacy, Learning ,acquisition of language .He also spoke on choice and compulsion dichotomy which parents have with regard child schooling. The bill is silent about pre nursery stage of education which is foundation for overall intelligence of the Child. The issue of mother tongue was also raised here. Linguistic divide between students of elite schools and private schools was well taken by him. The point of providing 25% seats for disabled children raised concers to inequality which is persisting in society. The Methodology for teaching students needs to be innovative. The quality of teaching being affected due additional responsibilities related to government duties in case of government teachers. The issue of regulating agencies was also highlighted to bring parity in course curriculum

Mr Gurdeep Singh Randhawa stated that education bill or policy should be critically examined and rather than going for amendments we should strive to achieve whatever is possible within existing parameters. There is need to have exchange programmes between schools students studying in rural areas with urban area students.

The session was preceded by discussion in which problems related to issue of distressing students, examination need to be there for continuous evaluation as we are living in competitive environment ,cost of education need to be streamlined, issue of education as social good rather than Commercial good was highlighted. Education is a composite thought process where instructions, performance testing all are important in various degress. Creating viable Courses or streams of education for student’s not just professional or technical related education I.T, Engineering, Medical which is stressing factor and not examination at 10 or 10 plus two as thought. These were some of the question s raised and suggestions by audience .Dr Jasdeep Toor RJSC Zonal Coordinator Jalandhar highlighted the right part of education is only possible when Infrastructural Support is there in the system. DR Jasdeep Toor worked as moderator between speakers and audience and thank the school Principal ,Staff and Students of D.A.V public school for their Co operation. Thanked principals from other private schools and professors who were from esteemed local schools and colleges.

In the district of Sangrur a Seminar was organized at Cornek Café Malerkotla. In this Seminar Mr Anwar Aadir was the chief guest and Dr. Ravinder Kumar Ravi State Co-oridnator was the guest of honour. On this occasion Mr Anwar stress on the teachings of Sh. Rajiv Gandhi. Prof. Ravi put light on the philosophy of Sh. Rajiv Gandhi. On this occasion Prof. Ashwani Bhalla Zonal Co-ordinator, Prof. Bimlesh Gupta, District Co-ordinator Ludhiana and Prof. Mohd Saleem, Principal K.L.S.D College Ludhiana were also present and they also presented their views on the life and teachings of Sh. Rajiv Gandhi.

Dr. Ravi Ravinder

State Co-ordinator

Rajiv Gandhi Study Circle

Punjab