Bhubaneswar, September 3: Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk’s wife, Geetanjali Angmo, stated on Thursday that the government should view the ongoing protests as a “wake-up call” and actively implement comprehensive reforms in the examination and education system. She emphasized that this issue should not be trivialized or seen as isolated. Without meaningful changes in the education and examination system, it could lead to significant social pressure and widespread movements in the future.
In a special interview, Geetanjali Angmo discussed various topics, including the National Education Policy (NEP), examination reforms, the role of teachers, the ‘Vande Mataram’ controversy, Indian philosophical traditions, political polarization, patriotism, and the Indian knowledge system.
Q: Can the NEP pave the way for reintroducing Indian thought into the education system?
Geetanjali Angmo: Yes. The NEP is a well-crafted document. However, the biggest question lies in its implementation. We often talk about the Gurukul system. Its greatest strength was not a fixed curriculum or teaching method, but the central role of the guru. The guru shaped the behavior and character of the child through their conduct and personality. Teachers were not merely information providers or curriculum completers; their responsibility was to develop the child’s overall personality.
She noted that teaching has often become a last-resort profession. When individuals cannot become engineers, doctors, or IAS officers, some turn to teaching. We need to change this perception. If we want to implement the NEP effectively, we must elevate the status and salary of teachers in society. Teaching should be among the most respected and well-paid professions. A teacher has a profound impact on a child’s development. Therefore, if we want to change the education system, we must place teachers at the center. We need to create an environment where talented and capable individuals aspire to become teachers.
Geetanjali Angmo believes that every child should receive equal and quality basic education up to at least the tenth grade, regardless of whether they attend a government or private school. Minimum quality education should be a right for every child. She pointed out that children are increasingly gravitating towards private schools, while many government schools are closing or deteriorating. In several areas, even basic needs like child nutrition remain a challenge. If we aspire for global leadership, we must first empower our children.
She remarked that while the NEP is an idea, its success depends on implementation. Merely drafting a document does not change the education system. It requires years of sustained grassroots efforts. Countries that have successfully reformed their education systems have done so over decades. Therefore, education reform must be insulated from political cycles.
Geetanjali Angmo suggested that for a long-term issue like education, an independent education commission should be established. This commission should not be influenced by changing political parties. Often, one government initiates reforms, only for another to reverse them. Education is not a five-year project; it is a decades-long endeavor. Thus, it should receive some institutional protection from politics.
So far, we have primarily focused on securing the examination system and preventing paper leaks. However, the examination system requires much larger reforms. First, we must ask what we are assessing in exams. Are we only testing memory, or are we evaluating a child’s understanding and ability to apply knowledge? Additionally, are we merely filling children’s minds with information, or are we developing their entire personality? A child’s physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual development should also be part of education. Education should not just be about how much information a child can retain and write in an exam; its goal should be the holistic development of the personality.
Q: Do you think a significant movement could arise if the current education and examination systems are not reformed?
Geetanjali Angmo: I believe the government should see this movement as a wake-up call and actively implement reforms. This is not a trivial issue. If comprehensive reforms are not made in the examination and education system, significant social pressure and movements could arise in the future. Every parent wants their child to receive a good education. This is an emotional and crucial topic for every family. It is the future of our country and our youth.
Geetanjali Angmo noted that in recent years, we have focused heavily on physical infrastructure like roads, which is essential. However, a country also needs soft infrastructure. Education and health are part of that soft infrastructure. Therefore, it is crucial to prioritize education nationally. The NEP should be viewed as a long-term national project. Finland took decades to reform its education system. Education reform is not something that yields results in one or two years. Thus, we need an institutional framework that continues to advance education reforms despite changing governments. The NEP should not be a document shelved in a cabinet; it must be implemented on the ground in schools, classrooms, and children’s lives. The real challenge lies in execution.
Geetanjali Angmo concluded by stating that the government should view the current situation as an opportunity and make reforms before the issue escalates. If parents, students, and youth begin to feel that the system is not providing them with the opportunities and education they need, social pressure will naturally increase. Therefore, the government should take proactive steps rather than waiting for a significant movement to arise.
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