SHIKSHA SAMVAD PROGRAMME HELD

SHIKSHA SAMVAD PROGRAMME HELD

20-JUNE-ENG 2

RAJIV NAYAN AGRAWAL

BUXAR------------------------A "Shiksha Samvad" program was organized on Thursday at Hotel Vaishnavi, located opposite the city bus stand, under the aegis of the Private Schools and Children Welfare Association (PSACWA), Buxar. Bihar's Education Minister, Mithilesh Tiwari, attended the event as the chief guest. A large number of managers and principals from registered, unregistered, and affiliated private schools across the district were present on the occasion.

The program was presided over by PSACWA President Dr. Pradeep Pathak. He stated that the primary objective of the dialogue was to directly convey the practical challenges faced by private schools to the government. He noted that while a negative atmosphere regarding private schools had been created on social media recently, the schools maintained their composure and dignity.

Dr. Pathak remarked that the state of education in Bihar remains unsatisfactory. Although the state's literacy rate is approximately 70 percent, further efforts are required to achieve the expected progress in the education sector. Describing private schools as vital partners in the education system, he urged the government to grant them greater autonomy and support.

During the dialogue, Dr. Pradeep Pathak, along with Satish Chandra Tripathi (Director, Bal Vikas Kendra) and Jaiprakash Singh (alias Rajesh Singh, Principal, Radiant Public School), raised several key issues with the Education Minister. Prominent among these were the resolution of technical issues and portal entry problems regarding the implementation of the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020; the prompt reimbursement of fees for students educated under the Right to Education (RTE) Act; transparency and rational reforms in the RTE admission process; and a demand to ensure an advisory role for PSACWA in the formulation of district administration guidelines concerning private schools.

Saroj Singh, Secretary of Bihar Central School, presented suggestions to make the RTE admission process more transparent and effective. Speakers pointed out that administrative decisions are often implemented abruptly, causing difficulties for parents, students, and school staff, particularly in rural areas.

The program was conducted by Bharat Prasad, who urged all school administrators to ensure active participation in the association's meetings. At the conclusion of the event, Education Minister Mithilesh Tiwari was honored with a shawl, a bouquet, a book, and a memento. The school administrators present pledged to achieve the goal of quality education through better coordination between the Education Department and private schools.