Introspection, contemplation as important as 'outwardfocused inquiry' in learning

NEP offers an opportunity for Indian educators to blend intuitive wisdom with modern teaching to transform classrooms into holistic learning spaces, write the CBSE secretary and a Delhi Government school leader

- Himanshu Gupta & Ajay Kumar Choubey

In the context of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, the scope for a broader and integrated philosophical approach has emerged as a new pedagogic hope to facilitate concept-based inquiry and holistic learning in school. This has led to a critical re-evaluation of the discourse surrounding two pedagogies i.e., critical and contemplative pedagogy, highlighting their significance as an essential dimension of the integrated approach.

The socio-pedagogic space provides an opportunity for cross-learning, collective thinking, collective action, reflection, and co-creation of knowledge and understanding, thus facilitating the practice of critical contemplative pedagogy to empower active learning for both children and adults in the school.

This mission statement emerged through a collaborative process, involving deliberation among various stakeholders, including teachers, teacher educators, faculty members from SCERT, JNU, DU, CBSE, and civil society members at Sarvodaya Vidyalaya, Rouse Avenue, New Delhi.

The conference marked a significant milestone in establishing the institution's academic and pedagogical capabilities to pioneer school-based pedagogy. This innovative approach could set a precedent for neighbouring schools and potentially be scaled up to other government schools in Delhi.

Emerging perspective

The perspective of critical contemplative pedagogy aims to foster a disposition and constructive attitude towards oneness, enabling educators to effectively implement the active learning agenda outlined in the NEP 2020. This perspective also seeks to explore ways to integrate India's knowledge systems with modern western epistemology, thereby situating critical contemplative pedagogy and active learning within the context of Indian classrooms and schools.