The Times of India
Scientists slam tasking RSS body to create NEP awareness
MUMBAI:
A circular issued by the ministry of education asking universities and
premier research institutions to participate in webinars/seminars
organised by the Bhartiya Shikshan Mandal (BSM) to create awareness on
the National Education Policy (NEP) has met with opposition from the
scientific community.
Scientists
have alleged that an important task like disseminating information on
the NEP has been assigned to an RSSlinked non-governmental agency. They
have also opposed the inclusion of the organisation, which does not have
any academic standing, in the education sub-group of the Niti Aayog
Standing Committee.
The
MoE, in its directive, requested institutions to participate
voluntarily in the exercise. In a letter to the MoE, which has been
forwarded to all institutions, the BSM mentioned that they have been
entrusted (by Niti Aayog) with a task of connecting with educators and
institutions to conduct nation-wide awareness and orientation
programmes.
The
Breakthrough Science Society has asked the Centre to reverse the
decision of entrusting NEP implementation task to extra-constitutional
agencies. “We are shocked to learn that the task, which is supposed to
be shouldered by government agencies with the help of eminent
educationists, has been delegated to a private organisation,” it said.
Dhrubajyoti Mukhopadhyay, president of BSS, said there are apprehensions
on whether the NEP is a ploy to introduce Hindutva ideology in the
education system. “Throughout the policy, we see references of the
education system in the ancient Hindu era. Now, they intend to implement
the NEP and saffronise the education system with the help of BSM,” he
said.