ROLE OF SENIOR CITIZENS IN SCHOOLS IN THE LIGHT OF NATIONAL EDUCATION POLICY (NEP) 2020

Abstract

India is a country where there is a large diversity in terms of opportunities and accessibility to education. Various efforts are being made by Govt. and NGOs to minimise this gap. National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 suggests involving the community in the schools to fill the gap. Senior citizens being an important part of the community would be highly beneficial for the schools as they have a vast range of life experiences. We must understand that senior citizens are not liabilities but one of the most important assets for the community provided if they get opportunities. School may be the best platform to give such opportunities. This paper explores the potential contributions of senior citizens in schools based on NEP 2020 and identified various activities like developing values in children, Promoting Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, Promoting Indian Knowledge system and Indian local languages, preparing and distributing mid-day meal in schools, arranging human and financial resources for schools, taking care of children’s emotional health, early identification of the needs of the children, ensuring participation of female and transgender children in education, etc in which they can be engaged into the schools. It also suggests the process by which the schools can render their services.