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 Address, 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 address, 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 Address, 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 Address 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.