BHUBANESWAR: The Bansidhar and Ila Panda Foundation (BIPF) organised a panel discussion on ‘Education for All: Prospects and Challenges’ at IDEATE-2015 held here on Friday.
Children from marginalised sections of the society do not have access to quality education, observed experts from different educational organisations at the event.
The Right to Education Act has made education a fundamental right and mandates all children between six and 14 years for free education. However, rural India still suffers from issues like inadequate infrastructure, shortage of teachers and behavioural challenges, the panelists said.
Speaking on the occasion, CEO of BIPF Shaifalika Panda said, “An educated person is considered as the best national resource. The quality of education today will actuate the potential of present generation who will grow into adults tomorrow.”
“Given that majority of our children are in rural pockets, educational reforms must start by educating children in rural India,” she added.
The thematic address on ‘Equity Education for All’ was delivered by Chairman of Education Technology and Management Academy, New Delhi, Prof Marmar Mukhopadhyay.
Addressing the session, Head of FICCI, Odisha State Council, Sanjeev Mohanty said IDEATE brings about concrete suggestions for both Government and NGOs to plan and implement result-oriented projects.
Among others, State Project Director of OPEPA Mahendra Mallick, president of Vidyabharati, Odisha, Dr Banchhanidhi Panda, Chairperson of Sparsh Centre for Participatory Learning Gopinath T Menon, Head of Hole-in-the-Wall Education project, NIIT, Purnendu Hota also spoke.