Teachers Continue Boycott Of Adult Literacy Programme | Pune News – Times of India
Teachers continue boycott of adult literacy programme Times of India
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Pune Education Minister Urges Teachers to End Boycott of New India Literacy Programme
Introduction
State education minister Deepak Kesarkar has called on teachers in Pune to end their boycott of the New India Literacy Programme (NILP), emphasizing that there is no alternative to it. However, the majority of teachers remain steadfast in their decision to boycott the programme.
Boycott of the Programme
Various teacher organizations have reported a complete boycott of the programme, with the exception of some clusters or individual teachers. The number of teachers participating in the mission is significantly less than 10%. The NILP is a centrally sponsored scheme aimed at providing education for all non-literates aged 15 and above.
Minister’s Perspective
Minister Kesarkar asserts that it is the responsibility of teachers to train illiterate individuals, not limited to out-of-school children. He emphasizes that there is no alternative to this programme. However, teacher organizations argue that they are already understaffed and overworked, suggesting that the work should be outsourced to private agencies.
Director’s Appeal
Mahesh Palkar, director of education (Yojana), has also appealed to teachers to join the literacy programme, recognizing its importance in addressing illiteracy.
Teacher Associations’ Response
Vijay Kombe, president of the state-level association of primary teachers of Zilla Parishad schools, highlights the shortage of teachers in state-run schools. He suggests that if the government wants to teach senior citizens or other individuals, the job should be outsourced to a private agency.
‘Adopt a School’ Scheme
The recently introduced ‘adopt a school’ scheme has also sparked controversy. Minister Kesarkar clarifies that the scheme is not an attempt to privatize schools but rather allows individual schools to utilize corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds for infrastructure development.
Government’s Responsibility
Mahendra Ganpule, spokesperson for the Maharashtra Headmasters’ Forum, criticizes the government for shirking its responsibility to provide infrastructure to schools as mandated by the Right to Education (RTE) Act. Kombe echoes this sentiment and calls for the government to collect CSR funds and distribute them to schools.
Conclusion
The boycott of the New India Literacy Programme by teachers in Pune continues despite the education minister’s call to end it. The debate revolves around the workload of teachers and the government’s responsibility to provide infrastructure to schools. The Sustainable Development Goal of Quality Education (SDG 4) is at the forefront of this discussion, highlighting the importance of literacy and education for all.
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SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 4: Quality Education | 4.6: By 2030, ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults, both men and women, achieve literacy and numeracy. | – Percentage of non-literates aged 15 and above who have participated in the New India Literacy Programme (NILP) – Percentage of teachers participating in the NILP |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships. | – Number of private agencies involved in the training of illiterate people – Amount of CSR funds collected and distributed to schools |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
SDG 4: Quality Education
The issues highlighted in the article are related to education and literacy programs. SDG 4 aims to ensure inclusive and equitable quality education and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
Target 4.6: By 2030, ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults, both men and women, achieve literacy and numeracy.
The article discusses the New India Literacy Programme (NILP), which is a centrally sponsored scheme on education for all non-literates aged 15 and above. The target of ensuring literacy for all adults is directly relevant to this program.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
Yes, there are indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets.
– The percentage of non-literates aged 15 and above who have participated in the NILP can be used as an indicator to measure progress towards achieving literacy for adults.
– The percentage of teachers participating in the NILP can also be used as an indicator to assess the level of engagement and commitment of teachers in the literacy program.
4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 4: Quality Education | 4.6: By 2030, ensure that all youth and a substantial proportion of adults, both men and women, achieve literacy and numeracy. | – Percentage of non-literates aged 15 and above who have participated in the New India Literacy Programme (NILP) – Percentage of teachers participating in the NILP |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships. | – Number of private agencies involved in the training of illiterate people – Amount of CSR funds collected and distributed to schools |
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Source: timesofindia.indiatimes.com
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