IMPORTANCE OF ONLINE LEARNING:

In response to the Pandemic situation that the world has faced a

few years back, educators have been instrumental in finding new
ways to ensure learning continues for children by developing
online and offline learning materials; learning about the working
of video conferencing tools to be able to meet students regularly
and conducting mental & social well-being sessions during the
start of the school day and at closure.

Virtual school might be relatively a new concept in India, but we

are experiencing a new trend of the blended learning model
gaining popularity. We have to acknowledge that virtual school is
not just about taking a lesson through a video conferencing tool; it
involves more than that. It involves a paradigm shift in pedagogy
through an understanding of the blended learning model by
teachers, parents and students. The balance of online and offline
tasks is a critical aspect to consider while designing the timetable
and lesson plan. This model helps learning to continue beyond the
four walls of the classroom, allows students’ choice and flexibility
to learn at their pace, creates more opportunities for collaborative
tasks along with providing opportunities to rethink the mode of
assessments & feedback. Virtual education has opened up
possibilities of rethinking the way we are doing teaching &
learning. The use of educational technology tools can begin to
transform the classroom, and most of it depends on the creative
agency of the teacher.

We also need to acknowledge that the transition to virtual learning

can be challenging for all stakeholders. Parents will have to think
differently about how to equip their children in the virtual learning
space; how to create structures and routines that allow their
children to be successful; and how to support their learning
journey while considering the emotional well-being as well.
Schools like hospitals are caregivers and we, as a school will fall
back on the school framework of Relevance, Relationship and
Rigour to support parents in this process of creating meaningful
engagement with their children.

To get a fair understanding of online education, let’s have a look

at some of its advantages:

1. As students’ progress through classes, they seek more

autonomy and intellectual freedom. Online learning can help
them pursue highly personalised learning programs, possibly
even college-level courses. These combined with hands-on
exercises, real-world exploration, and thorough assessments
can be highly beneficial to their learning progress.
2. By trying out introductory topics from different fields, it
allows the students to explore their options before
committing to any specialisation. Online learning techniques
make these students become more independent learners.
3. Since online learning provides greater control to users
through the use of minimal infrastructure, the students can
personalise their learning. This enables students to take up
new courses and learn almost from anywhere and anytime.
4. Everyone has a different and unique learning pace matched
by delivery of online learning. Online learners benefit from
flexible learning schedules.
5. Online learning offers an enhanced discussion element, often
in a forum for discussion board.
6. With an estimated 93% of communication being non-verbal,
online learners do not have to worry about body language
interfering with their message. Online education eliminates
physical judgments that can cloud rational discussion.
7. At traditional schools, talking to a teacher after class can be
challenging. This is not the case in an online learning
environment.
 8. Online learning makes parent-teacher collaboration positive
and transparent.
9. Online systems permit deep analytical summaries of a
students’ progress. This helps in creating a personalised
learning journey for each student.
Furthermore, with this sudden shift away from the classroom in
many parts of the globe, the adoption of online learning will
continue to persist post-pandemic, and such a shift would impact
the worldwide education market. By following an interactive,
collaborative approach, the students and instructors will co-create
the learning process and for the better!

IMPORTANCE OF LEARNING IN THE VERNACULAR

In the diverse and culturally vibrant nation of India, the

importance of teaching vernacular languages or mother tongue to
children cannot be overstated. These languages hold a profound
significance, serving as a bridge between the past and the present,
and nurturing a sense of pride in one’s heritage.

Alka Chadha, a Punjabi teacher at Apeejay School, Tanda Road,

Jalandhar, said, “It is very important to preserve our heritage and
culture. Language preservation ensures contact with one’s history
and culture. When language is preserved, the traditions and
customs continue living in the hearts and minds of the people as
culture is created, shaped, and transmitted through
communication.”

Richness of vernacular literature

Underlying the significance of vernacular languages lies the

treasure trove of literature that they encompass. Each region in
India boasts a distinctive literary tradition, encompassing ancient
epics, folk tales, and literary masterpieces. From the Tamil
Sangam literature to the works of Rabindranath Tagore in Bengali,
the literature in vernacular languages is a testament to the depth of
cultural expression and artistic excellence. By teaching children
vernacular languages, we open the doors to this rich tapestry of
narratives, poetry, and wisdom, instilling in them an appreciation
for their cultural heritage.

Preserving cultural identity

Language is a powerful tool that defines our cultural identity and

connects us to our roots. By imparting vernacular languages to
children, we ensure the preservation of unique traditions, customs,
and values that have been passed down through generations.
Language is not merely a means of communication; it embodies
the essence of a community’s history, social norms, and collective
experiences.

Enhancing cognitive development

Beyond cultural preservation, learning vernacular languages also

provides cognitive benefits. Numerous studies have demonstrated
that bilingualism or multilingualism has a positive impact on
cognitive development. Children who are proficient in their
mother tongue exhibit enhanced problem-solving skills, better
memory retention, and improved analytical thinking. Additionally,
being fluent in multiple languages broadens their perspectives and
fosters a more inclusive worldview.

Promoting inclusivity and social cohesion

Teaching vernacular languages in schools promotes inclusivity

and social cohesion. It allows children from different linguistic
backgrounds to communicate effectively and understand one
another’s cultures. When children are encouraged to learn and
appreciate different vernacular languages, it fosters mutual respect
and a sense of unity among diverse communities. This, in turn,
strengthens the social fabric of the nation, promoting harmony and
understanding among its people.

Teaching vernacular languages to children is not merely a

pedagogical choice; it is a matter of preserving cultural heritage,
fostering a sense of pride, and nurturing inclusive societies. Let us
celebrate the languages that form the backbone of our cultural
tapestry and empower our children to carry the legacy forward
with pride.

G20 Presidency

India’s G20 Presidency this year presents an exceptional

opportunity for the country to spearhead a collective approach to
tackle multiple, complex, and interconnected challenges, while
placing, front and center, the aspirations and needs of the
developing world.The COVID-19 pandemic, supply chain
disruptions, climate change, food and energy security risks,
geopolitical tensions, inflation, and a looming debt crisis all
contribute to economic slowdown and uncertainty in global
economic growth.

India has set “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” or “One Earth - One

Family - One Future” as the theme for its G20 Presidency, rightly
aiming to instill a sense of unanimity essential for addressing
these global challenges collectively and effectively. Prime
Minister Narendra Modi further envisions India’s G20 agenda to
be “inclusive, ambitious, action-oriented, and decisive.” India’s
successes and experiences are critical to tailoring global solutions.

•
India's G20 priorities
India has identified a wide array of cutting-edge priorities that are
being deliberated by various G20 working groups, to help address
the key challenges we face and to plan for a better future. Let me
highlight three of them.The first agenda relates to financing
tomorrow’s cities and establishing them as the foremost engines of
economic growth. To sustain their economic potential, cities need
to become more livable through upgraded infrastructure and
services, such as reliable water, transport, power, waste
management, and affordable housing.The G20 platform could be
used to mobilize international support to bridge this financing
need.

The second agenda where India can lead the way is in energy
transition. decarbonization is development.India has made efforts
for the G20 to focus on the need to expand and diversify critical
minerals and renewable energy supply chains for economies to
secure uninterrupted and affordable access to renewable energy
and energy storage, both prerequisites for the overall transition to
net-zero emission.

The third agenda relates to health care. The COVID-19 pandemic

highlighted the compelling need for a united global approach to
fortify health systems to effectively address emerging health
crises. India’s G20 Presidency is a medium of change towards
more resilient, responsive, and sustainable health systems and to
advance previously established G20 pandemic preparedness
efforts.G20 can help shape a global health agenda focused on
ensuring universal, affordable, and quality health services. India
can lend its experience in framing a successful national digital
health architecture through supportive regulatory environment,
private-public partnerships, and digital health interventions such
as CoWIN and National Digital Health Mission.

ADB's support for India's G20 presidency

 As a leading development partner of India, the Asian
Development Bank (ADB) is supporting India’s G20 Presidency
on these key priorities. To transform Indian cities into “Cities of
Tomorrow”, ADB will assist in “Creating Investable Cities” that
can mainstream climate resilience; leverage mobilization of
resources such as municipal bonds, innovative climate finance,
and new sources of revenue through appropriate urban planning
and transit-oriented development; and mobilize much-needed
private sector investments.

India has an important opportunity during its G20 Presidency to

establish a legacy of success across these critical challenges and it
has friends that it can rely on for support.

GLOBAL WARMING

The last few decades have been monumental when it comes to

technological development. Humans have developed systems and
machines that make our lives easier. Especially during the early
modern period from the early 16th century to as far as the late 18the
century, also commonly referred to as “The Scientific Revolution”
or “The Enlightenment”, modern technology leapt ahead in
development in such a short time frame compared to all of history.
To understand the concept of Global Warming and its causes and
effects, we need to take an in-depth look into many factors that
affect the temperature of the planet and what that means for the
future of the world. Here is an objective look at the topic of Global
Warming and other important related topics.

What is Climate Change?

Ever since the industrial and scientific revolution, Earth is slowly
being used up for its resources. Moreover, the onset of the
exponential increase in the world’s population is also very taxing on
the environment.
Simply put, as the need for consumption of the population increases,
both the utilisation of natural resources and the waste generated
from the use of said resources have also increased massively.
One of the main results of this over the many years has become
climate change. Climate change is not just the rise or fall of
temperature of different areas of the world; it is also a change in the
rain cycles, wind patterns, cyclone frequencies, sea levels, etc. It
affects all major life groups on the planet in some way or the other.

What is Global Warming?

Global Warming is often considered an effect of Climate change.
Global Warming is the rapid increase in the temperature of the
Earth’s environment that is causing many life-threatening issues to
arise.
Global Warming is a dangerous effect on our environment that we
are facing these days. Rapid industrialization, increase in the
population growth and pollution are causing a rise in Global
Warming. Global Warming refers to the increase in the average
temperature of the earth's surface during the last century. One of the
reasons why Global Warming is dangerous is because it disturbs the
overall ecology of the planet. This results in floods, famine,
cyclones and other issues. There are many causes and results of this
warming and is a danger for the existence of life on earth.

Causes of Global Warming

Many scientists believe the main four reasons for Global Warming,
according to recent studies, are:
• Greenhouse gases, Deforestation, Pollution, carbon emissions
Global Warming is certainly an alarming situation, which is causing
a significant impact on life existence. Extreme Global Warming is
resulting in natural calamities, which is quite evident happening
around. One of the reasons behind Global Warming is the extreme
release of greenhouse gases stuck on the earth surface, resulting in
the temperature increase.

Solution for Global Warming

Global Warming can not be blamed on individuals; however, it can
be tackled and maintained from worsening starting at the individual
level. Of course, industries and multinational conglomerates have
higher carbon emissions levels than an average citizen. Still,
activism and community effort are the only feasible ways to control
the worsening state of Global Warming.
Additionally, at the state or government level, world leaders need to
create concrete plans and step programmes to ensure that no further
harm is being caused to the environment in general.

Effects of Global Warming

Global Warming is a real problem that many want to prove as a
hoax for their political benefit. However, as aware citizens of the
world, we must make sure only the truth is presented in the
media.Various parts of the environment, both flora and fauna, are
directly adversely affected by the damages caused by Global
Warming. Wildlife being in danger is ultimately a serious threat to
the survival of humanity as we know it and its future.
The effect of Global Warming is widely seen in this decade. Glacier
retreat and arctic shrinkage are the two common phenomena seen.
Glaciers are melting in a fast way. These are pure examples of
climate change.Rise in sea level is another significant effect of
Global Warming. This sea-level rise is leading to floods in low-
lying areas. Extreme weather conditions are witnessed in many
countries. Unseasonal rainfall, extreme heat and cold, wildfires and
others are common every year. The number of these cases is
increasing. This will indeed imbalance the ecosystem bringing the
result of the extinction of species.
These effects will take a steep rise in coming years, bringing the
expansion of species to a halt. Moreover, humans too will witness
the negative impact of Global Warming in the end.
মাতৃ ভাষার মাধ্যমে শিক্ষা
"মাতৃ ভাষা সে তো মাতৃ দুগ্ধ সমান, সে ভাষায় শিক্ষালাভে ভরে ওঠে প্রাণ।"
একটি শিশুর জন্মের প্রথম লগ্নে মাতৃ দুগ্ধই যেমন তার প্রধান খাদ্য, তেমনি শিশুর
শিক্ষার মাধ্যম হওয়া উচিত মাতৃ ভাষা। মাতৃ ভাষা মাতৃ দুগ্ধসম। মাতৃ ভাষায় মনের
ভাব যত সহজে প্রকাশ করা সম্ভব অন্য কোনো ভাষায় তা সম্ভব নয়। জ্ঞানবিদ্যার
চর্চায়ও মাতৃ ভাষার গুরুত্ব সর্বাধিক। যে-ভাষায় সহজেই সব কিছু বলা-কওয়া ও
বোঝানো যায়, সেই ভাষা শিক্ষার মাধ্যম হওয়া উচিত। এইজন্যই শিক্ষার
উদ্দেশ্যকে সার্থক করতে হলে আমাদের বিদ্যালয় ও কলেজের শিক্ষাটা
মাতৃ ভাষার মাধ্যমে হওয়া দরকার। কারণ মাতৃ ভাষার মাধ্যমে শিক্ষাদান ও গ্রহণ
সহজসাধ্য হয়। মাতৃ ভাষাই শিক্ষার উপযুক্ত মাধ্যম।

মাতৃ ভাষা সমস্যা: ভারত নানা ভাষার দেশ। তাই শুধু মাতৃ ভাষায় শিক্ষাদানে বাস্তব
অসুবিধা আছে। তাহলে একে অপরের সঙ্গে যোগসূত্র কীভাবে রক্ষিত হবে?
ভারতে ১৫টি ভাষা সংবিধানে স্বীকৃ তি পেলেও ভারতে ভাষার সংখ্যা ১৭৯ এবং
উপভাষার সংখ্যা ৫৪৪। ভারতে এতগুলি ভাষা থাকার জন্য সর্বভারতীয় ক্ষেত্রে
একটি ভাষায় শিক্ষাদানের ব্যবস্থা করার যথার্থ অসুবিধা আছে। বিভিন্ন ভাষাভাষী
মানুষের জন্য একটি ভাষা শিক্ষার মাধ্যম হতে পারে না। এইজন্য অঞ্চলভেদে
শিক্ষার ভাষামাধ্যম স্থির করা প্রয়োজন। বিভিন্ন অঞ্চলের মাতৃ ভাষাই এই ক্ষেত্রে
সমস্যা দূরীকরণের উপায় হতে পারে। জোর করে অন্য ভাষা চাপিয়ে দিলে সমস্যা
অগ্নিগর্ভ হয়ে উঠবে।

শিক্ষার বাহন: ভারতের বিভিন্ন অঞ্চলে মাতৃ ভাষায় শিক্ষাদানের দাবি উঠেছে।এই
দাবি ন্যায়সংগত। সম্ভব হলে প্রতিটি ভাষাকেই রাষ্ট্রভাষা করা যেতে পারে।কিন্তু
বাস্তবে তা সম্ভব নয় বলে অন্তত প্রধান ভাষাগুলিকে শিক্ষার মাধ্যম করা প্রয়োজন।
তবে তাতেও সমস্যা মেটে না। ভারতের ভাষাগুলির চরিত্রগত বিভিন্নতা এত
বেশি এবং অঞ্চলভেদে তাদের অবস্থান এত বিচিত্র যে, সর্বত্র একইসঙ্গে ওই
ভাষাগুলিতে পঠনপাঠন সম্ভব নয়। তাই অঞ্চল ভিত্তিতে এক-একটি ভাষা
প্রাধান্য পেয়েছে। ভারতে এখন অঞ্চল ভিত্তিতে মাতৃ ভাষায় শিক্ষাদানের ব্যবস্থা
প্রচলিত আছে। ১৯৯৩ সালে রাষ্ট্রসংঘ শিক্ষার ক্ষেত্রে মাতৃ ভাষাকেই সর্বশ্রেষ্ঠ
মাধ্যম বলে ঘোষণা করে।

ইংরেজি ভাষা: আমাদের দেশে একমাত্র মাতৃ ভাষাই সর্বশিক্ষার উপযুক্ত বাহন হতে
পারে না। বহু ভাষাভাষী দেশ হওয়ায় যোগাযোগ ও জ্ঞান-বিনিময়ের ভাষারূপে
ইংরেজি ভাষার প্রয়োজনীয়তাও অস্বীকার করা যায় না। রবীন্দ্রনাথ লিখেছিলেন
"দুই স্রোতের সাদা এবং কালো রেখার বিভাগ থাকিবে বটে, কিন্তু তারা একসঙ্গে
বহিয়া চলিবে। ইহাতে দেশের শিক্ষা যথার্থ বিস্তীর্ণ হইবে, গভীর হইবে, সত্য হইয়া
উঠিবে।" এদিকে ভারতীয় ভাষাগুলির সঙ্গে যোগসূত্র রাখতে গেলে 'হিন্দি ভাষা
শেখা আমাদের পক্ষে একইরকম জরুরি। সুতরাং ভারতবর্ষের বাসিন্দা হিসেবে
এবং সার্থক ভারতীয় নাগরিক হিসেবে তিনটি ভাষার সূত্র আমাদের মেনে চলা
দরকার। জাতীয় সংহতির প্রয়োজনে এটি খুবই দরকার।

উপসংহার: Mass Education-এর জন্য অর্থাৎ সাধারণ শিক্ষার জন্য শিক্ষার

মাধ্যম হিসেবে মাতৃ ভাষাই যথেষ্ট। কিন্তু উচ্চতর শিক্ষা, বিজ্ঞান ও কারিগরি শিক্ষার
ক্ষেত্রে ইংরেজি শিক্ষার প্রয়োজনীয়তা আছে। তা না-হলে, আন্তর্জাতিক ক্ষেত্রে
প্রতিযোগিতার যুদ্ধে আমরা হেরে যাব। আমাদের দেশের উন্নতির পথ রুদ্ধ হবে।
ভারত বিশ্বসভার আসন থেকে বঞ্চিত হবে।