AISF comes down heavily on Draft New Education Policy
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, August 12 2019: Reacting sharply to the Draft New Education Policy (DNEP) 2019, CPI, Manipur State Council, has said that the new education policy (which was put in the public domain from July 1 to July 31) emphasizes more on the privatization/corporatization, centralization and imposition of Hindu religious mythology and Hindi, thereby omitting the history of the Indian freedom struggle and curtailing the space for scientific temperament to the students of the present generation.

Speaking as a presidium member at the 83rd foundation day of All India Students' Federation (AISF), MSC, which was held at Irawat Bhavan, BT Road today, CPI, MSC assistant secretary Kh Surchand Singh claimed that DNEP 2019 is worrisome for the whole country, especially for the North East people and went on to point out that DNEP 2019 lays special emphasis on the structural reformation of the country's education system, thereby incorporating certain strategies which will instil Hindutva ideologies/philosophies in the present generation as well as the future generations.

Under the proposed new National education policy, the decentralized structure of the present Indian education system is being centralized and an attempt is being made to put it under the control of some BJP agents or leaders, he alleged.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the HRD Minister have been proposed to be the Chairman and Vice Chairman of National Education Commission (NEC) respectively, he said, adding that the NEC or Rashtriya Shiksha Aayog (RSA) was recommended as an apex body for education in the country to oversee the institutional frameworks in the country.

Alleging that DNEP is designed similarly as the framework of some educational institutions which are run by corporate houses, Surchand maintained that the said education policy gives special thrust on private investment and supports neo-liberalism and communalism.

The new National education policy reflects a strong intention for imposition of Hindi to non-Hindi speaking States thereby introducing third language formula which will be lopsided, impractical and overburden students, especially at the primary level.

Observing that the consultation period of the DNEP was short and should have been held for a longer period, the CPI veteran leader also informed that Left Parties, including CPI and Trinamool Congress and AAP, oppose the new education policy.

He also conveyed that CPI had already pointed out the lapses in DNEP and submitted an alternative draft to the authorities concerned on July 21.On the other hand, during the event, many AISF volunteers condemned the mysterious death of Ningthoujam Babysana inside the boarding of Standard Robarth Higher Secondary School, Canchipur on July 18 .

Stating that the State Government should take Babysana's case very seriously, AISF, MSC president L Bibekson Singh said that there is nothing valuable than the life of a student and the State Government should acknowledge this fact.

The AISF volunteers also urged the Government to establish the facts behind the death of Babysana and to publicly reveal convincing details about the investigation so that the public's angst against the Government's failure to do the needful in delivering justice subsides and the case is resolved.

He further asserted that AISF, MSC will stand for justice and extend all possible support to the movement of the public and the JAC in this regard.

Welcoming the State Government's initiative for formulation of R&R for running schools and boarding/hostels in the State, Bibekson however decried that the said Government has not been able to resolve Babysana's case till date.

CPI, MSC State Secretary L Sotinkumar, MSC/AISF former president Kh Shamungou Singh, among others, and numerous AISF members attended the function.

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