By Fr Soroj Mullick, SDB –
In the midst of the spreading unemployment and economic insecurity for millions and upending the education of a whole generation, in the midst of uncertainties and stress, COVID-19 and the National Education Policy (NEP) have exposed some uncomfortable human truths: we need radical commitment to collaborate with one another and be willing with courage to change for survival. We still ask ourselves: where should we devote our time, energy, and talents to have educational positive impact on the world? How can we work with others to create greater stability in education? What systemic change are needed in the field of education?
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This is the time to ask these questions in order to bring educational changes that our nation requires – a process of metanoia. It is a courageous change in the educational web of creation for the well-being of all by meeting the deep and basic human needs. Thanks to Covid-19 our present life has been all about courage and change, and cope with education, in order to imbibe educational values that communities embody. We can, therefore, begin the process of honestly identifying all that is not working in the present educational system, so that we can creatively orient ourselves toward a better way.
As the NEP wants that children learn to find, analyse, understand and reflect on the contents of study, the teachers and the parents can help the children to develop a ‘thinking’ mindset. They can avail the opportunity to do any project which emphasises on creativity, research and skills. More than rote memory, the mind will open up to think for itself, beyond the boundary of the syllabus and explore the immediate environment experiencing the joy of learning.
Conclusion
The Indian education system has major setbacks, with unprecedented challenges to the educational institutions. There is a spontaneous focus on radical reforms, going beyond the conventional education models while changing pedagogies, academic processes and education objectives.
Christian educational institutions need to probe deeper at the challenges posed by the NEP. A recent Catholic Education Conference organized by the CBCI went headlong to focus on Digital Transformation, Student Empowerment, Teacher Engagement, Better Governance and Management, along with an Apostolic Metanoia. All Christian educational institutions are called to bring about a radical change in its pedagogical process, and bring about possibilities to explore, experiment and strategize for a better education in the future.
The expected educational change will involve genuine, caring relationships that awaken us to the beauty, fragility, and goodness of life, helping us to experience God in those spaces of encounter in order to see the world from others’ point of view, especially the presence of inequities, indifference, and contempt that that very educational structures firmly held on to.
It certainly calls for decisive action, stemming from all that has been stirring within us during this pandemic period. In the midst of the poor and marginalized people suffering the consequences of the COVID-19, we cannot turn our backs on the inequities of the educational structures suggested by the NEP. We need to connect and have compassion to deepen into solidarity with the neglected, in love.
This present pandemic gives us new eyes to see the educational systems that have not supported human wholeness or the well-being of our earth, and have the courage to build together a world that is truly home for all. This calls for a prophetic witness in an educational system that lacks collaborative approach towards common good.
Fr. Soroj Mullick, SDB is a Salesian priest from the Kolkata Province. He has a Licentiate in Catechetics and a Doctorate (Christian Education) from UPS, Italy. He has number of years of teaching experience in college and in the formation of future priests. Besides, he has written number of research papers and articles, and has 25 years of Ministry in India and abroad as Educator, Formator, Retreat Preacher, Editor and engaged in School, Parish Catechetical & Youth Ministry. He is now an assistant priest in Bandel Basilica, rendering pastoral and catechetical ministry to the parishioners and to the pilgrims. He can be contacted at [email protected].