Bringing Educationally Deprived Groups into the Mainstream Requires Expanding the Concept of School Social Work – Dr. Suresh Pathare; Ulhas Navbharat Literacy Campaign Workshop Concludes

Ahmednagar | August 22 | Reporter

In line with the ongoing Social Work Week, organized to mark National Social Work Day, a workshop under the Central Government-sponsored Ulhas Navbharat Literacy Campaign was held at the CSRD auditorium. This workshop was a joint effort by the District Council Education Department (Planning) and the BPHE Society’s CSRD Institute of Social Work and Research, where special training was provided for head teachers across the district. During the inauguration, the distinguished guests highlighted the objectives of the Navbharat Literacy Campaign, emphasizing the crucial role of teachers in bringing educationally deprived individuals into the educational mainstream. The inauguration was attended by Dr. Suresh Pathare, Director of CSRD; Education Officer (Planning) Balasaheb Buge; Deputy Education Officer (Planning) Sanjay Sarvade; Group Education Officer, Panchayat Samiti, Sangamner, Balasaheb Gund; Group Education Officer, Panchayat Samiti Baburao Jadhav; Municipal Administration Officer Zuber Pathan; as well as taluka-level nodal education extension officers and all head teachers from the district, along with a tech-savvy teacher from each center.

Education Officer Buge, while guiding the attendees, stated that a survey of illiterate people over the age of fifteen in the district is being conducted to make them literate through the Navbharat Literacy Program. Teachers play a crucial role in this campaign, and they should participate proactively, along with NGOs and social workers, to make the district 100% literate. The objective of the Navbharat Literacy Program is to provide reading and writing opportunities to individuals aged fifteen and above who, for various reasons, have not received education. The Ulhas Navbharat Literacy Program, which started on April 1, 2022, aims to implement the recommendations of the National Education Policy 2020. The program covers all aspects of adult education, including basic literacy, numerical literacy, life skills, vocational skills, and the continuous development of education. Buge urged teachers to actively participate in the literacy campaign, as education is the path to inclusive development and teachers must work to ensure that this education reaches all sections of society.

During the workshop, information about the ‘Ulhas’ mobile app was shared with the participants. They were guided on how to increase the number of learners and volunteers by registering them through this app, which can significantly expand the educational process. Information about the second phase of the program, to be implemented by 2027, was also provided during the workshop. This phase aims to increase literacy through basic education, life skills, and continuous learning. Various activities will be conducted in this initiative to impart life skills.

The chief guest, Dr. Suresh Pathare, while interacting with the teachers, mentioned that according to the recommendations of the National Education Policy 2020, the Navbharat Literacy Program is being implemented to achieve 100% literacy and numerical knowledge among all young and adult individuals by 2030. He also stressed the equally important role of social workers. Concrete measures will be taken in the future to advance the concept of school social work and implement the National Education Policy 2020. The contribution of teachers and social workers will be invaluable in bringing marginalized sections of society into the educational stream. Dr. Suresh Pathare assured full cooperation from CSRD for the education department’s initiative. He stated that literacy is the mantra for the progress of society, and everyone’s role at every level of education is crucial. Many career opportunities are available for trained social workers under school social work. Therefore, everyone should be aware of their responsibilities for the successful implementation of school social work and take the initiative to bring about social change through education.

He emphasized the need for dedicated work at the taluka and district levels to achieve the literacy campaign’s goals. All education department officers, teachers, social workers, and local organizations should work together to achieve this.

Various discussion sessions were organized for teachers during the workshop, covering necessary measures for the implementation of the literacy program, the role of tech-savvy teachers, and the importance of the literacy program. The teachers shared their experiences and thoughts, discussing the challenges of literacy in rural areas and the possible solutions.

In concluding the workshop, Sanjay Sarvade addressed the teachers, stating that the workshop aimed to provide teachers with the necessary skills and understanding of the importance of the Navbharat Literacy Campaign for its effective implementation. He expressed the hope that all head teachers would use the knowledge gained from the workshop for successful implementation in their centers.The district education department staff, as well as professors and staff from the CSRD Institute, worked hard to make the workshop successful.