Page 104 - Kashmir and National Education Policy by Dr. Amarpreet Kour

KASHMIR & NATIONAL EDUCATION POLICY 2020 || DR. AMARPREET KOUR

A teacher once shared an experience about teaching a specially-abled
child separately. The student remarked, “Sir, I can learn at home too. I
come to school to experience learning with other students. If you teach
me separately, what is the purpose of coming to school?” This profound
statement underscores the importance of fostering inclusivity within
the classroom environment rather than isolating students. Inclusivity
demands unbiased attitudes from educators. However, practices such
as serving tea in color-coded cups for Muslim and non-Muslim officials
reflect deep-seated prejudices. Such behaviour raises questions about
the educators’ ability to promote inclusivity effectively. Addressing
these biases is critical to creating an equitable and inclusive educational
environment. According to inclusive education expert Masood Ali Mir,
the ultimate aim of inclusivity is not merely integrating specially-abled
children into classrooms but ensuring their full participation in society.
Inclusivity means eliminating feelings of separation or segregation. If a
child cannot attend school, it becomes the responsibility of the school
head to send a teacher, accompanied by peers, to the child’s home. This
approach ensures that every child feels included and valued within the
broader educational framework.

The integration of technology has significantly transformed teaching
and learning, creating opportunities to enhance education like never
before. As a science teacher, the use of Power Point presentations in
the classroom has become an essential part of the teaching process, a
practice that would not be possible without technological advancements.
Visual aids have proven invaluable for explaining complex concepts such
as the phospholipid layer, making abstract ideas tangible and engaging
for students. By enabling the visualization of structures and molecules,
technology eliminates the need for imagination and ensures that learning
is both accessible and interactive.

Shabir Ahmad Bhat, a Lecturer in Urdu, highlights how NEP 2020 has
revolutionized the education system. Previously, teaching was largely
theoretical, leaving students disengaged. Today, with the introduction
of smart boards and projectors, students are more actively involved in
their studies. Shabir recalls how, during his school days, poets were only
imagined, but now students can see and experience these figures through
visual aids. Similarly, science lessons that were once confined to theory
are now brought to life with the help of technology, making learning more
interactive and enriching.

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