Educator’s conclave – on need for evolutionary advancements in pre university (intermediate) education, took off in grand style at Indo American Campus, Anakapalle, Visakhapatnam, on 23rd of February 2012. Established in 1993, Indo American Institution as part of its numerous initiatives to transform education system announced this conclave to ponder on burgeoning issues concerning intermediate education. The conclave wanted to bring the recently recommend reforms of MHRD into to open forum that had participation of intermediate educators, University delegates, industry representatives and public administrators.
The conclave witnessed a gathering of about 150 principals & delegates of various intermediate and plus 2 colleges from Visakhapatnam and neighboring districts. The list of dignitaries who graced the occasion includes VC of JNTUK Dr. Tulasi Ram Das, Dr. Sowmya Mishra (IPS) DIG, Swami Guneshananda of Ramakrishna Mission, Registrar of BR Ambedkar University Dr. V Krishna Mohan, Mrs. Sarada Reddy Principal of Vishakha Valley school, Group Captain & Principal of Sainik School Mr. Ramaraj Murali, and International corporate trainer & consultant Mr. Ravindra Reddy. Mr. V Pujari Chairman & Founder Trustee of Indo American Institutions hosted the Educator’s conclave.
At about 10:00 AM the dignitaries were ushered into the conclave, which began with symbolical “lighting of lamp” ceremony. After introductory remarks on the conclave from Indo American Institutions :
DIG Dr. Sowmya Mishra addressed the gathering, where she stressed the need to inculcate patriotism, concentration, creativity, respect and empathy towards weaker sections and backward classes of the society among the students right from school and Intermediate level. As these students cannot analyze and make choices on their own she emphasized on having career planning and career counseling sessions for them along with their parents. She felt the current education system is failing to instill value system and character building among the current breed of students.
Dr. Tulasi Ram Das, Vice Chancellor of JNTU Kakinada has brought to the fore some serious drawbacks in the system and solutions to overcome them. He said that the so-called schools are stressing out the students so much that by the time they pass out of graduation they have no interest or passion left for doing any creative and meaningful work. He said that there is no need to change any syllabus for the next 10-15 years but what needs to change is the orientation and methodology the teachers adopt to teach the students Interpersonal-skills, regular interaction with students, less student-teacher ratio are a must for any teacher. A teacher is well-respected when he is united from within – thoughts to speech and speech to action should all be in sync with one another. A noble teacher can positively affect the lives of generations to come. Teacher should stay away from the three viruses – ego, arrogance and jealousy. The students will learn most in an experiential learning mode where the student experiences what he is taught. The best way to excel in everything we do is by using all the “Panchendriyas” in the work we do. Students should be taught this art of living.
Swami Guneshanda narrated some interesting yet painful anecdotes to bring to the attention of the educators the poor standards of education. He lamented the absence of character building, lack of ethical and moral values both in the teacher and the taught and told that the Government of India is taking help from RK Mission to weed these issues out. The Delhi Government has already implemented the suggestions of the RK Mission, The Gujarat Government sent 350 teachers to RK Mission to be trained for 6 months on Character Building and Nation Building Skills. After the 6 months of Training the teachers are empowered to train other teachers and students. He reminded about what Swami Vivekananda dreamt – Every Indian must imbibe the Western workaholic culture and Indian Yogic Culture, Women should imbibe American Womanhood and Indian Motherhood. The education system should steer away from Money making, career building machine to man-making, character building guardian. True education comprises – Observation, discrimination, perseverance and manifestation. He also told the story of how the Mayor of China capital city, Shangai has taken RK Mission help to start a Human Excellence center there to imbibe the Indian Values to the Chinese youth.
Dr. V Krishna Mohan said education without purpose and objective is useless. Theory without practical Knowledge is sterile. Similarly practical knowledge without a theory base is blind.
Group Captain Ramraj Murali gave two important suggestions – the current education system is driven by the parents’ demands and expectations. He also said the judgmental system used by the society to judge an educational institution is itself flawed and based on superficial numbers into EAMCET, IIT, JEE etc
Mrs. Sarada Reddy made a very interesting observation – until and unless we drill down to the student level and assess what his interests and strengths are the current education system would have never met its purpose. The education system for the sake of certificates and jobs is useless if it is failing to build a strong character.
Mr.Ravindra Reddy Gajjala spoke from the corporate perspective. He listed the drawbacks of the students when they join corporate and suggested some practical measures that can be undertaken by the college teachers and managements to bridge these gaps.
Chairman V Pujari suggested that JNTU Kakinada should host a three-day workshop on a more serious and formal scale in the month of May for which the Vice Chancellor readily agreed. Vice Chancellor asked the intermediate educators to start thinking on the direction this conclave provides and prepare themselves for an 3-day workshop later in month of June
Swami Guneshanda narrated some interesting yet painful anecdotes to bring to the attention of the educators the poor standards of education. He lamented the absence of character building, lack of ethical and moral values both in the teacher and the taught and told that the Government of India is taking help from RK Mission to weed these issues out. The Delhi Government has already implemented the suggestions of the RK Mission, The Gujarat Government sent 350 teachers to RK Mission to be trained for 6 months on Character Building and Nation Building Skills. After the 6 months of Training the teachers are empowered to train other teachers and students. He reminded about what Swami Vivekananda dreamt – Every Indian must imbibe the Western workaholic culture and Indian Yogic Culture, Women should imbibe American Womanhood and Indian Motherhood. The education system should steer away from Money making, career building machine to man-making, character building guardian. True education comprises – Observation, discrimination, perseverance and manifestation. He also told the story of how the Mayor of China capital city, Shangai has taken RK Mission help to start a Human Excellence center there to imbibe the Indian Values to the Chinese youth.
Chairman V Pujari suggested that JNTU Kakinada should host a three-day workshop on a more serious and formal scale in the month of May for which the Vice Chancellor readily agreed. Vice Chancellor asked the intermediate educators to start thinking on the direction this conclave provides and prepare themselves for an 3-day workshop later in month of June 
