A history postgrad of Guwahati University, awarded a PhD in education by the Tilak Maharashtra University, Pune, Dr. N.K. Dutta is founder and principal of the CBSE-affiliated Miles Bronson Residential School, Guwahati (estb.1987) which has an enrolment of 615 students.

Are you satisfied with the Union Budget 2018-19 allocation of Rs.85,010 crore for education?

The 2018-19 budgetary allocation for education is insufficient to meet the rising education needs and aspirations of our children. The well-being of citizens is determined by UNDP’s Human Development Index which takes into consideration three basic dimensions of national progress: a long and healthy life for citizens, access to knowledge, and standards of decent living. India is ranked #131 on the HDI, behind Sri Lanka (73) and Maldives (105). Clearly, we need to invest more in public education. 

What is your solution to the challenge of increasing government regulation of private K-12 education?

Regulations are hampering forward-thinking private schools from improving. Quality doesn’t come cheap. However, there should be clear guidelines to ensure that fees charged by schools are commensurate with facilities provided. 

My Top 5 suggestions for reforming K-12 education are:

• Teacher enrichment and empowerment to enable them to develop a repertoire of tools for 21st century learners. 

• Raising standards of students’ self-learning by enabling them to meet the challenges of globalisation, migration and the digital revolution.

• Developing higher order thinking skills through critical thinking, problem solving, creative freedom and collaboration.

• Innovations based on experiential learning. We need to extend learning beyond the precincts of the classroom and provide students hands-on and real-life experiences. Education should include skill development programmes covering soft skills such as leadership, communication, team building, etiquette, etc.

• Inculcate best practices for sustainable development. Global warming and climate change necessitate that schools involve students in the sustainable development goals of the United Nations.