Education key to bring transformative change: Kishor Barman

There must first be a transformation in the education system to bring about transformative change in the country, Tripura Higher Education Minister Kishore Barman said on Tuesday.

Barman said this after inaugurating a seminar on the National Education Policy (NEP) in Narsingarh on Monday.

The seminar titled “Celebrating Five Years of the National Education Policy: Its Implementation, Challenges, and Future Goals in Technical Institutions of Tripura” was held at the auditorium of Tripura Institute of Technology (TIT). 

The event was jointly organized by TIT, the Technical Khanda, and the Akhil Bharatiya Rashtriya Shaikshik Mahasangh.

Speaking at the event, The Higher Education Minister said the NEP 2020 was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi with the aim of making education accessible to all sections of society. 

Before this, India followed an education system introduced by the British, particularly Lord Macaulay, which did not ensure equal opportunities for everyone, he remarked.

He emphasized that 34 years after independence, India finally introduced its own National Education Policy. The NEP is designed to foster an India-centric education system, with special focus on mother tongue, regional languages, and the 22 constitutionally recognized Indian languages. To make this a success, the active participation of teachers and professors is crucial, he added.

Highlighting the link between education and national development, the minister said, “A country's progress is directly related to how educated its people are. That is why the Central Government introduced the NEP — to make education truly universal.”

Barman reaffirmed the state’s commitment to implementing the NEP despite various challenges. “We are determined to take NEP forward. Today, Tripura is progressing in its implementation,” he said.

He also mentioned several digital initiatives promoted under the NEP, including digital education, e-classes, MOOCs (Massive Open Online Courses), and platforms like SWAYAM. Tripura, he noted, has received recognition for expanding internet connectivity and integrating every village panchayat and village committee with Wi-Fi. “We aspire to build Tripura into an education hub,” he stated.

Others who addressed the seminar included ABRSM president Teertha Ram Reang, Dr. Shanat Kumar Pal (Lecturer, Dhalai District Polytechnic), and Lecturer Apurba Kumar Saha from the Women’s Polytechnic at Hapania.

Principal-in-charge of Tripura Institute of Technology, Vijay Kumar Upadhyay, delivered the welcome address. During the event, ABRSM general secretary Debashish Ray Choudhury handed over a draft report to the minister.

Following the seminar, Barman held a review meeting with faculty members of the Electrical Engineering Department, where various academic and administrative aspects were discussed.

Higher Education Director Animesh Debbarma delivered the welcome speech during the meeting.