A two-day National Conference on Universalization of Secondary Education was organized by the Amrita School of Education in Mysore during December 11-12, 2012. The School offers degrees in BEd (Bachelor of Education), helping prepare teachers for primary and secondary schools.

“Universalization of elementary education is essential to achieve universalization of secondary education,” opined Dr. K. V. Sridevi, Conference Secretary.

The Indian Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act came into being in 2010.

Many Government schemes promote universalization of education such as ICT in schools, Integrated Education for Disabled Children, Means-cum-Merit Scholarships, Incentives and Hostel Facilities for Girl Students and Vocationalisation of Secondary Education and these were discussed at length in the conference.

This conference sponsored by the Indian Council of Social Science Research (ICSSR) saw the participation of over 200 delegates including teachers, teacher educators, academicians, administrators, research scholars, undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Headmasters, headmistresses and subject inspectors of high schools of Mysore district all participated, and especially in the conference workshop titled Quality Improvement of Secondary Education. Workshop discussions focused on methods to increase retention rates in high schools.

Invited talks and paper presentations served to enlighten delegates on other aspects of universalization of secondary education.

“Of the 100 papers that were submitted from various teacher educators from different parts of the country, 78 were accepted for presentation. The review committee meticulously went through all the papers and made decisions regarding their acceptance,” explained Dr. K. V. Sridevi.

Amrita’s Online Labs pioneered by the Amrita Center for Research in Analytics & Technologies for Education (AmritaCREATE), were also introduced to conference delegates. Hands-on sessions helped them become familiar with labs in Chemistry and Physics aligned to the NCERT curriculum.

Earlier, at the inauguration, Sri. Basavaraju B.K., Deputy Director of Public Instruction, Mysore Division; Dr. S. N. Prasad, Former Principal of Regional Institute of Education, Mysore and Dr. K.V.S.N. Murty, Professor and Head, School of Education, SCSVMV University spoke to the delegates.

The delegates were unanimous in their appreciation of the conference proceedings.

“Technical sessions were well organized under the able chairmanship of eminent educationists. Open and frank discussions related to various challenges faced in the field of secondary education took place. We have come out with probable solutions for some the problems discussed.”

“The conference theme was well focused. Faculty from education department, administrators, researchers and academicians had discussions from their perspectives, which were eye openers for many. Everything went on in a time-bound manner as per the schedule provided.”

“Everybody was busy but nobody was in a hurry. The program was well planned and executed well with good food and modest accommodation in a serene atmosphere.”

“We enjoyed the stay in Amrita; members of the organizing committee were most helpful, responding to all our queries patiently.”

December 20, 2012
School of Education, Mysore