By: Dr FirdoosWani/MuneebaTabasum
Several top School Education Department (SED) officials have stated for some time that the government has chosen to move the academic year from November-December to March-April.
As a result, the 10th-12th grade yearly board examinations will be held in March-April 2023 instead of November-December 2022. They claim that formal directives in this regard will be issued within a few days.
However, nothing has been announced regarding the administration of exams for the lower grades. Surely, the government has solid grounds for shifting the academic session, but there should have been comprehensive talks with all parties involved before making such a delicate choice.
Before making key choices, conversations and input are necessary in the vital education sector. It should not be unidirectional.Those opposing the change, especially specialists in the field of education, should be informed and persuaded of its need. Even if they have valuable recommendations, they can be taken into account.
Numerous parties have already voiced concern regarding the reorganisation of the academic session.Group of Concerned Citizens (GCC) J&K, a non-political civil society organisation comprised of academics, jurists, notable citizens, and retired public officers, has requested that the current academic session for schools in Jammu and Kashmir’s Winter Zone be maintained.
In a brief filed to the government, GCC argues that it has made a compelling argument against switching to an April-March session so as not to penalise the Winter Zone’s big student population.
“As a matter of precedent and principle, an extensive process of consultations with all stake-holders must precede change in a sensitive policy matter such as this, if and when contemplated,” the memorandum added.
Government reports that J&K would completely implement the National Education Policy (NEP-2020) beginning with the current academic year, as well as adopt a consistent academic calendar that will be synchronised with the national academic calendar.
Regardless of the purpose and intent behind the change in academic session, there is nothing improper in consulting all relevant parties on the topic.
Postscrpit: The government should take a thoughtful decision because it is a question of the future of our children and these children will become our future.
Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself-John Dewey
The authors are doctorate in english literature can be reached at damhal100@gmail.com
