Gangtok, Nov 23 (IPR): The three-day 52nd Annual Conference of the Council of Boards of School Education in India (COBSE), hosted by the Board of Open Schooling and Skill Education (BOSSE), at Chintan Bhawan.
The conference, on the theme ‘Implementing NEP 2020: Role of School Education Boards,’ was held from 23rd- 25th November, 2023.
The programme had the presence of Sh. Kunga Nima Lepcha, Minister, Education Department as the chief guest.
Present on the occasion were Sh. Hemant Goyal, Conference Chief Patron and Group Chairperson, BOSSE, Dr. Kuldeep Agarwal, Conference Chairperson and Chairperson, BOSSE, Ms.. Asano Sekhose, President COBSE and Chairperson, Nagaland Board, Sh. GP Upadhyay (IAS), Advisor Mines & Geology Department, Government of Sikkim, Sh. Sonam Denzongpa, Principal Director, Education Department, officers from 39 School Education Boards as well as Faculty and students from different universities of the state.
In his Inaugural ADr.ess, Sh. Kunga Nima Lepcha, Minister, Education Department expressed appreciation for the invitation to the conference on such a significant theme. He highlighted the State Government’s priority in the education sector, emphasising a focus on quality education and the introduction of vocational training.
Further, stressing the importance of quality education, he underscored its relevance not only for Sikkim but the entire nation. Sh. Lepcha expressed optimism that the conference would have positive outcomes, contributing to the improvement of education quality, and providing students with valuable insights.
In his welcome aDr.ess, Dr. Kuldeep Agarwal, Chairperson, BOSSE, Sikkim, extended a warm welcome to all dignitaries for the three-day conference. He gave a brief overview of the conference agenda, emphasising the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) to enhance educational quality.
Ms. Asano Sekhose, President, COBSE and Chairperson, Nagaland Board, detailed the role of COBSE, emphasising its commitment to universalising school education. She further mentioned that the organisationaiMs. to provide inclusive, flexible, and quality education that integrates vocational skills with academic learning for the sustainable development of the nation and society.
The programme included the release of a special number of SAHODAYA and telephone directory published by COBSE, as well asSecondary and Sr. Secondary Curriculum booklets of BOSSE.
The vote of thanks at the Inaugural Session was delivered by Sh. MC Sharma, General Secretary, COBSE.
The Inaugural Session was followed by the Keynote ADr.ess, which was chaired by Prof. KM Gupta, Former Professor, NCERT, Government of India, and Member, Academic Advisory Council, BOSSE, Sikkim.He discussed the five pillars of NEP 2020 assessment which included Access, Equity, Quality, Affordability, and Accountability.
The session was co-chaired by Dr DD Reddy, Director of Government Examinations, Board of Secondary Education, Andhra Pradesh, who provided a concise presentation on the School Education Department and Board of Secondary Education in the Government of Andhra Pradesh.
Prof. Indrani Bhaduri, Head, Educational Survey Division & PARAKH (Performance Assessment, Review, Analysis Knowledge for Holistic Development) NCERT (National Council of Education Research and Training) Government of India delivered the Keynote ADr.ess on the topic “NEP 2020: Transformation of Assessment Practices and Equivalence of School Education Boards”. In her ADr.ess, she elaborated the mandates and functions of PARAKH.
The first technical session discussed the Philosophy of NEP 2020: Impact on Curriculum and Pedagogy.Ms. Anita Devraj, Former School Principal, DAV and Member of the Academic Advisory Council & Board of Management, BOSSE, chaired this session.
The speakers included Dr. Kuldeep Agarwal, Chairperson, Board of Open Schooling & Skill Education, Sikkim, who discussed the Philosophy behind the New Education Policy and its Impact on School and Higher Education.
Subsequently, Ms. Nidhi Kapoor, Academic Officer, BOSSE Sikkim, made a presentation on“Recommendations of the National Curriculum Framework 2023 and their implications for School Education Boards”.
The second technical session focused on the Implementation of NEP 2020 by School Education Boards, chaired by Dr Yadav, Chairman, Board of School Education, Haryana.
The speakers included Dr Manoj Srivastava, CBSE, Delhi, who discussed on “Initiating, Influencing, and Inspiring School Education Boards and NEP 2020”.
Likewise, Dr Sona Ahuja, Dayalbagh Educational Institute, Agra, spoke about the implementation of NEP at DEI Schools.
Dr Shamim Chowdhury, Global Qualification Provider, Cambridge University Examinations, explained how assessment practices can help achieve the vision of NEP.
Sh. Mahesh Balakrishnan, International Baccalaureate highlighted globalisation and the modern workplace in context to the transformational impact of an IB Education.
Prof. VK Goel, Secretary, Chhattisgarh Board of Secondary Education (CGBSE) Raipur, discussed the implementation of NEP by CGBSE School.
The three-day conference was compered and moderated by Ms.Bishali Khati, SIA, IPR Department, Government of Sikkim.
On the second day of the conference, His Excellency, the Hon’ble Governor, Sh. Lakshman Prasad Acharya, graced the valedictory session as the Chief Guest.
Also present were Sh. Hemant Goyal, Conference Chief Patron and Group Chairperson, BOSSE, Dr Kuldeep Agarwal, Chairperson, BOSSE, Sikkim, Ms. Asano Sekhose, President, COBSE and Chairperson, Nagaland Board, Dr Mahashram Sharma, Chairman, Nepal Board of School Education, Sh. MC Sharma, General Secretary, COBSE, Ms. Sumita Pradhan, Secretary, Education Department, Govt. of Sikkim.
In his Address, Hon’ble Governor Sh. Lakshman Prasad Acharya expressed pleasure in participating in the Conference on the theme “Role of School Education Boards in Implementing New Education Policy 2020,” organised by the Board of Open Schooling and Skill Education. He commended the organisers for selecting such a crucial topic, emphasising the significance of discussing the New Education Policy to meet India’s evolving needs.
Highlighting the importance of education in Sikkim, he thanked the intellectuals who established the Open School and Skill Education Board. This institution has become a beacon for dropout children, providing them a second chance at education and steering the field of education in a new direction.
Reflecting on India’s rich history, the Governor acknowledged its ancient civilisation, dating back over 8000 years, and praised the organised Gurukul system and renowned higher education institutions. He emphasised the profound impact of Indian culture and philosophy on the world, leading to India being called the ‘Vishwa Guru’ and the ‘Golden Bird’ for its prosperity.
Dr. G. Immanuel, Chairman, Council for Indian School Certificate Examination chaired the third session on International Scenario andspoke on Digital Dictatorship, Infodemic, and the Globalisation of International education.
Sh. Kavish Gadia, Chairman, Stones2Milestones, presented on PISA for Schools, exploring its role in competency-based global benchmarking and India’s position on the global leaderboard.
Likewise, the session also featured a presentation by Dr Maninder Sarkaria, Controller of Examinations, Punjab School Board, discussing Punjab State’s initiatives in line with the recommendations of NEP 2020.
The fourth Technical Session, themed ‘Bhartiya Gyan-Pragya (Knowledge-Wisdom) based Education’, was chaired by Prof.Parikshant Singh Manhas wherein he delved into seven agendas of Bhartiya Gyan Pragya based Education, covering aspects such as Cultural Relevance, Holistic Learning, Practical Wisdom, Ethical and Moral Values, Local Context and Diversity, Innovation, and Creativity.
Thereafter, Sh. Bhagirath Shetye, Chairman, Goa Board of Secondary & Higher Secondary Education, shared insights on Bhartiya Knowledge and Wisdom-Based Education.
Similarly, Prof. MK Das, Former Head & Dean, Department of Education, Kashi Vidyapeeth University, Varanasi, emphasised the importance of the Bhartiya Gyan Pragya-based Education System.
The fifth session delved on the theme ‘Ensuring Universal Access to Academic Education and Skill Development: Role of Open School Education Boards’.
The session was chaired by Prof. MC Sharma, Former Director School of Education, IGNOU, India & Member, Academic Advisory Council, BOSSE, Sikkim wherein he provided concise information about Open School Education Boards. He emphasised that Open Schooling not only focuses on academic aspects but also ensures the provision of quality vocational skills.
Subsequently, Ms. Jyoti Rajawat, Academic Officers, BOSSE, Sikkim, discussed Skill Development and Vocational Education, highlighting their significance and the essential role of vocational education in nurturing the skill development and its way forward.
The final speaker of the session, Dr. Kuldeep Agarwal, Chairperson, BOSSE, Sikkim, addressed on the subject of Universal Access and the Role of Open School Education Boards.
The session was followed by a group discussion on the implementation of NEP 2020, focusing on the roles of School Education Boards and the proposal for conducting board examinations twice a year.
On the third day, a meeting of the General Body of COBSE was conducted.