Keeping away from technology hampers education, says PM

Prime Minister Narendra Modi with Union HRD minister Smriti Irani at the Akhil Bharatiya Prachaarya Sammelan in New Delhi on Thursday. (Photo: G.N. Jha)

Asking RSS-linked schools to make the optimum use of technology, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said educational institutions should be ready to accept knowledge from wherever it comes to enhance the quality of students produced by them.

Addressing a conclave of principals of schools run by Vidya Bharati Akhil Bharati Shiksha Sansthan, Mr Modi said keeping away from technology hampers growth in all sectors, including education.

He said the schools run by the Shiksha Sansthan have expanded in numbers, they need to focus on enhancing the quality of students, while competing with other schools in terms of education, as well as extra curricular activities.

However, the Prime Minister said that there is no urge to accept the challenge of rising to the top of the education system.

“I know this system closely ... The Shiksha Sansthan is expanding in numbers but what about the quality ... We need to change the goals in all aspects. There should be feeling of pride about the tradition of the institution,” he said about the Vidya Bharati schools.

Mr Modi exhorted the gathering to work towards establishing even more firmly, the image of Vidya Bharati, as an institution committed to “education with values.”

He asked the Principals to work towards instilling excellence in every aspect of students’ lives. As an illustration, he asked them to work to prepare sportspersons who could win gold medals at the 2020 Olympics.

Underlining that technology has emerged as crucial for all spheres of life, he said there should be optimum use of this in all spheres of life, particularly education. “Distance from science and technology hampers our growth.”

Underlining the concept of “vasudev kutumbakam’ (wholeworld is a family), the Prime Minister said ideas should be accepted from wherever they come.

He emphasized the need for imbibing technology in all aspects of education and to take full advantage of the benefits it offers.

As an illustration, Mr Modi said inspirational stories of various schools could be easily shared across the Vidya Bharati school network, using technology.

He urged the assembled “Prachaaryas” (Principals) to become torch-bearers of positivity and positive energy as “there is no dearth of those who spread negativity”.

He said students of Vidya Bharati schools can work towards bringing positive changes in society, in areas such as cleanliness (Swachh Bharat) and energy conservation.

Noting that nowadays there is widespread discussion about climate change, Mr Modi asked the Vidya Bharati schools to inculcate habits among their students in this aspect.

The PM recalled his days as Chief Minister of Gujarat and said he used to find a different approach among IAS or IPS officers who had come out of Vidya Bharati schools.