42nd ANPSA annual general body meeting held
Morung Express News
Kohima | October 30
“A hallmark of a good education system is personalized education, not standardized education. If we want to become a developed nation, we must improve our education,” stated Amit Chandra, CEO of the Center for Civil Societies (CCS) in New Delhi. He was speaking as the keynote speaker at the 42nd Annual General Body Meeting (AGBM) of the All Nagaland Private Schools’ Association Central (ANPSA Central), held at the Kevilhouü Rio Auditorium, G. Rio School, Kohima.
Chandra emphasized the essential role private schools play in shaping India’s educational future, highlighting their potential to elevate education quality through increased accountability, passion-driven teaching, and personalized education models. “If India is to shine, its schools must shine,” he asserted, expressing optimism about the capacity of private schools to deliver superior educational experiences.
Differences between private and government schools
Chandra pointed out fundamental differences between private and government institutions, noting that private schools are directly accountable to parents and responsive to students’ needs. In contrast, government schools often prioritize bureaucratic accountability, leading to a less personalized educational vision.
He characterized private school teachers as embodying a “culture of passion and love,” while many government school teachers merely fulfill their duties without deeper engagement. He argued that this positions private schools favorably for providing personalized education.
Chandra critiqued government schools for their reliance on standardized education, which he believes hampers their capacity, efficiency, and transparency, making swift improvement difficult. However, he clarified that the issue lies not with the schools themselves, but with governance failures affecting their management and operations.
Urgent need for educational reform
Referencing Prime Minister Modi’s vision for education by 2047, Chandra asserted, “If we want to be a developed nation, we must enhance our education system urgently. Delay in reforms will hinder our progress.” He underscored the need for educational reform to fully realize India’s demographic potential, sharing projections that the country’s population growth will stabilize by 2040.
Chandra stressed the importance of ensuring that children entering grade one today receive the highest quality education so they can emerge as highly capable human resources by 2040. “This transformation must begin now,” he urged.
Establishing a State School Standards Authority
Chandra recommended establishing a State School Standards Authority (SSSA) in each state, as outlined in Chapter 8 of the National Education Policy (NEP). This body would promote regulatory neutrality, ensuring quality education delivery in both government and private schools. He insisted that the association must take charge in creating benchmarks for learning outcomes and establishing a regulatory framework to achieve them.
Chandra cautioned that the SSSA should be chaired by an educationist rather than a bureaucrat or politician, ensuring balanced oversight with representation from private schools. He urged the association to remain vigilant and proactive in this process, ensuring that the SSSA serves as an opportunity rather than a burden.
Direct Benefit Transfers
Chandra also highlighted Direct Benefit Transfers (DBTs) as a viable means to financially support underprivileged students in private schools, as provided under the Right to Education (RTE) and other constitutional provisions. He emphasized that the state’s duty is to ensure every child receives an education, regardless of the school type.
While acknowledging some unethical practices in private education, Chandra stressed that these should not overshadow the significant contributions of reputable private schools. He encouraged the community to celebrate the achievements of private school students and their positive impact on India’s educational landscape.
The keynote session concluded with a business session moderated by Abalie Medoze, Joint Secretary of ANPSA Central.
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