Dr. B.R. Ambedkar And New Education Policy(Tributes to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar on his 132nd Birth Anniversary)
Article by Alok Tripathi
Dr. Ambedkar once said, “The Education level of a person can’t be determined by how many degrees he has, it can’t be determined by how many books he has read, but the Education level can be assessed by how much Independent thinking he has developed”.
The role or contribution of Dr. Ambedkar in order to
spread Education for not only those who belong to the lowest strata of society but for the nation as whole is immense.
Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar is one of the greatest intellectuals the nation has ever witnessed. He was a versatile personality who enlightened the world with his Political, Cultural, Economic and above all social thoughts.
He is an embodiment of social justice and a great councillor of depressed and deprived classes. He called upon the weaker section of society to get Educated, United and to fight for their rights of Liberty, Equality and Social Justice.
But how was Dr. Ambedkar able to do this? Even at the time when the community to which he belonged was dominated and oppressed by the so-called upper caste. He was able to do this by the invisible tool of ‘Education’.
He opined that, “Education is the greatest weapon which can change the future of not only Individuals but the whole society.” As we all know and it is rightly said that ‘Until you walk the talk, others won’t accept you’ and Dr. Ambedkar really walked the path. He had obtained Masters Degree in 64 subjects, He went to Columbia University to get M.A. as well as Ph.D. degree after completing Masters from Mumbai University.
Later on, he also went to London and secured M.S.C, D.S.C. and Barrister at law degree and due to all this experiences and later on the efforts which he took for social emancipation he was made the chairman of drafting committee which has prepared one of the finest Constitution in this world.
The New Education Policy talks about designing syllabus in such a way that encourages Critical thinking and in developing sensitivity towards our fellow citizens. In the New Education Policy 2020 special emphasis on establishing ‘National Research Foundation’ has been done. Similarly,
special efforts for the learners with disability and to establish Multi-disciplinary Institutions has been done in this. Most of these initiatives are inspired by Dr. Ambedkar’s views. Along with this special care for underrepresented groups which includes students from backward sections has been done in this.
Provision for special scholarships for them is also mentioned. The NEP is sensitive towards the issue that most of the people who are majority in numbers in our country still don’t have access to education. The NEP aims to achieve 100% Youth
and Adult Literacy by 2030 and the opinions and views of Dr. Ambedkar are taken into consideration while implementing it.
Also, the Sustainable Development Goal number Four aims for equitable and inclusive education for all the young brains of our country. India has also signed this and the New Education policy will greatly help to universalise the education and reap Demographic dividend to achieve the goal.
‘Article 350’ of the Indian Constitution states that every state and local authority should provide adequate facilities for Instruction in local language or mother tongue in the primary stage of Education and Dr. Ambedkar was a staunch supporter of this Article which we can know from the parliamentary debates of constituent Assembly.
The NEP also provides the same and talks for teaching in mother tongue during the primary stage of Education. This shows that thoughts of Dr. Ambedkar are still very relevant in today’s time. Even though there are many obstacles and hindrance in implanting this however having faith in government along with active support from citizens can help to achieve the goal of cent percent literacy rate and not only literacy rate but will help to have a society where citizens will be able to develop their independent thinking.
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar And New Education Policy(Tributes to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar on his 132nd Birth Anniversary)https:x mil//english.mumbaiaaspaas.com/dr-b-r-ambedkar-and-new-education-policytributes-to-dr-b-r-ambedkar-on-his-132nd-birth-anniversary/
As Dr. B.R. Ambedkar said, “Taking Birth is not in our hands but getting Education and expecting a better and respectable future is completely in our hands”. Taking Inspiration from Dr. Ambedkar the history of this nation can be rewritten in a way which is desired by many true leaders of our country and which is desired by those who are still deprived of many small things which can bring very big change in their lives.
Alok Tripathi
