OUR CORRESPONDENT
KOKRAJHAR: Pramod Boro, the Chief of Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR) attended the first consolidation meeting of the teachers' and educational leaders' exchange programme with the schools of Delhi, held at the CIT Kokrajhar on Saturday.
Speaking on the occasion, Boro stressed the need for educated and knowledgeable persons to take initiatives for building a peaceful and vibrant society. He said, "The need of the hour is a jagaran (revolution) to move forward with a positive mindset and change the society for the better." He specifically highlighted the importance of entrepreneurial mindset among teachers and educational officials by saying, "If one is aware and have enough knowledge, he or she should start taking the first step and lead the way in a positive direction for the rest to follow. He also said, "No one is stopping us from being active and doing our work to run the extra mile for improving our schools and learning outcomes of students."
Presenting on the experiences of the exchange programme, Dr Ajit Boro, Principal, Gossaigaon B. Ed. College said, "The exchange programme has enlightened us to look around and ensure neat and clean school environments, maintain well-equipped laboratories for experiential learning, provide books that are rich in knowledge in our libraries, use appropriate educational technology, and maintain hygiene while serving the mid-day meals."
Gautam Dev Sarma, an Assistant Teacher shared his rich experience by saying, "Our focus should not be only on the physical infrastructure. We should be innovative and creative as teachers and blend our indigenous knowledge systems with our formal curriculum. "Our students should be trained in traditional music and dance forms, food, sports and medicinal practices while keeping abreast with all that modern education system could offer," he added.
The meeting was also attended by Executive Members of BTR Dr. Nilut Swargiary and Reo Reoa Narzihary, and Dr. Berlao Karzee, Political Advisor to Government of BTR.
Amarjyoti Barman, Secretary, Department of Education (BTR) delivered the welcome address and JP Brahma, Director of Education (BTR) chaired the meeting. While proposing the vote of thanks, Victor Narzary, OSD, Department of Education (BTR) said, "Now that we have an environment in Bodoland where we can freely share our feelings and ideas, we also have regained the long-lost opportunity to aspire, do and excel in the field of education. It is about time that we took this opportunity to let our education sector shine."
It may be mentioned here that the Pramod Boro-led government of Bodoland Territorial Region has been moving in full-throttle to reverse the negative trajectory of government education system in Bodoland.
The Bodoland Territorial Region has been lagging behind in education, child rights and youth development. Schools in the five districts of BTR, namely, Baksa, Chirang, Udalguri and Kokrajhar have been performing below par, and there is much to do in order to deliver quality education. There have been high incidences of school dropouts, poor performance in different board exams, and gradually deteriorating infrastructure. This has primarily led to non-fulfilment of educational aspirations of many of the children and youths, especially those coming from remote and nearby forest areas and poor socio-economic background.
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