Inclusive education is the key focus of MP govt: CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan 

Ahead of the first HT Education Summit, the chief minister of MP shares his vision and action plan for taking learning to every household. He believes that a classroom and its learning can never be replaced but only complemented by technological tools as edtech tools are better suited for enhancing personal-adaptive learning or learning at an individual level. 

Q: How will the implementation of NEP in MP help India achieve its goals of becoming a superpower? 
A: Keeping in mind the vision of the NEP, Madhya Pradesh government has set up different task forces to work on the various components of the policy. So, for example, the task force working towards the integration of streams such as science and humanities subjects has submitted its report to the education board which is now working towards implementation. Integration of resources at cluster level was also a part of the NEP and an assessment of how to implement that is currently underway. The CM Rise school scheme - wherein every 15 kilometres there would be a world-class school with transportation available and integrated K-12 study - is in full force. Apart from regular studies, these schools uniquely integrate science and technology subjects with humanities subjects. They offer a unique set-up where students’ curricular, co-curricular and extra-curricular needs are taken care of under one roof. Another task of delivering technical education at the higher level in Hindi is being managed by the MP Hindi Vishwavidyalaya.  

Q: What are some of the key challenges in taking education to every child and how are you managing it? 
A: Inclusive education is a key goal of the government. Hence, for the tribal belts in the state, we have been delivering early education in local languages such as Bhili. To enable them to transition to other languages at higher level, foundational learning is being conducted in tribal languages. The impact is already evident in the examination results of some of these districts where students are performing well in subjects like maths that are being taught through the local medium. 

Q: How can technology help bridge the gaps created by the pandemic? 
A: As far as personal-adaptive learning is concerned, it can surely be taken to the next level using edtech tools. But as far as classroom teaching is concerned, the teacher’s presence remains the most critical tool. Surely, technological tools can act as teaching aids and internet connectivity can help cover a wider area but nothing can be a full and final replacement to the teacher’s presence in a classroom. Doubt-solving and a personal touch to the process or extra efforts towards remedial classes are the specific features of classroom study. Certainly, the pandemic has caused learning losses of some kind. Even though our govt also used these tools during the pandemic a lot - we made online videos, we procured mobile devices for students, we delivered lectures through television channels- yet we understand that it was not the same as being in a classroom. To this end, we have prepared unique bridge courses for all classes and that process for delivering bridge classes is currently underway. 

Q: What is your vision for the students of your state? 
A: The vision is to make every student atmanirbhar (self-reliant), an ideal citizen who leads the country on its path forward and is prepared to take on the challenges of the 21st century world head-on. 

Q: What is your message to the attendees of the first HTES? 
A: Education is a key priority for our government and we hope to share our learnings and lessons as well as the way forward at the event.