Education Summit 2007

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News India Habitat Centre, New Delhi - 27th April 2007
Sponsored by
South Asia Foundation-SAF

The Tehelka Foundation organized the  Education Summit 2007 on 27th April 2007 at the India Habitat Centre, New Delhi.  The theme of the Summit was: Equality, Quality and Quantity: The elusive Triangle of India Education.  The Summit had some of the best minds in the field of education talking with those it concerns most – around 300 children of different schools from across the schooling spectrum.

SAF was happy to be the principal sponsor of this Summit as it fits in well with its objective of   promoting regional cooperation and peace through education, mutual understanding and creative friendship among youth.  The Summit was addressed by distinguished  panelists such as  Shri Arjun Singh, Minister for Human Resources Developement, Prof. Krishna Kumar, Director, NCERT, Sister Cyril, Principal of Sealdah’s Loreto Convent, Mr Arun Kumar, Principal, Vasant Valley School, Educationist Vinod Raina and Keynote Speaker, Prof. Yashpal, former Chairman, University Grant Commission, among others.  They shared their experiences over two interactive sessions on ‘Empowering Public and Private School Education’ and ‘Inclusive Education’.		   It was an exhilarating experience to witness   the enthusiastic interaction between the students and the panelists at the end of each panelist’s presentation.  Sample what the students had to say: These issues have been around for years, why haven’t you done something?  Or, why is the government always right in our text books?

HRD Minister, Mr Arjun Singh released Shiksha, a book produced under the aegis of the summit, with essays on the challenges facing education in the country.

The student community and other distinguished panelists enjoyed watching the DVD, The Oral and Intangible Heritage of South Asia, a performance of songs and dance by 40 artists  from South Asian Countries, during the lunch interval.  The book, The Sasia Story, This my People and the Monograph, the Oral and Intangible Heritage of South Asia were distributed the venue of the conference. 

At the end, Mr Tarun Tejpal  expressed his deep sense of gratitude to SAF,  and more particularly,  to Ambassador Madanjeet Singh, Founder of South Asia Foundation, for the generous support extended.