Teachers Must Lead Quality Education and Nation-Building Through Organised Efforts: Yashovardhan Walimbe

Teachers Must Lead Quality Education and Nation-Building Through Organised Efforts: Yashovardhan Walimbe

“Teachers are not merely providers of knowledge; they are the architects of society and the future generation of the nation. For the effective implementation of the National Education Policy, teachers must come together with organisational discipline, academic commitment, social responsibility and a strong commitment to national values,” said Shri Yashovardhan Walimbe, Pracharak of the Western Maharashtra Region.

He was speaking at the concluding session of a one-day study workshop on “Organisation, Work, Policy and Planning”, organised by the Savitribai Phule Pune University unit of the Akhil Bharatiya Rashtriya Shaikshik Mahasangh at the V. N. Dandekar Hall of Tilak College of Education, Pune.

At the inaugural session, Prof. Pradeep Khedkar, National Secretary and Maharashtra State President of the Mahasangh, and Prof. Dr. Dhondiram Pawar, President of the study workshop, outlined the organisation’s objectives, policies and direction of its work in the higher education sector.

Prof. Khedkar also addressed the forthcoming elections to various authorities of Savitribai Phule Pune University. He emphasised the need for competent, academically informed, value-based representatives who would work in the broader interests of teachers and students. He said university elections should be viewed not merely as a process of selecting individuals, but as an opportunity to influence the future direction of academic policy. He called for systematic organisational expansion, voter outreach, communication and coordination.

In the second session, Prof. Dr. Shekhar Chandratre, National Head of the Training Cell of the Mahasangh, spoke on “Organisational Expansion and Working Methods.” He emphasised that an organisation is built not merely around office-bearers and programmes, but through shared ideas, committed workers and continuous engagement. He highlighted the importance of college-level organisational expansion, training, decentralisation of responsibilities, regular meetings and objective articulation of educational issues.

In the third session, former Mahasangh President Dr. Anil Kulkarni spoke on “Issues Facing Professors and Future University Policy.” He discussed the challenges confronting faculty members amid changes in higher education, including service-related issues, administrative reforms, research, academic autonomy and quality education. He stressed that teachers’ concerns should be viewed not merely as service-related demands but in the broader context of improving the quality of higher education and serving society.

Speaking at the concluding session, Shri Yashovardhan Walimbe underlined the decisive role of teachers in implementing the National Education Policy. He said that teachers shape society and, consequently, influence the direction of the nation. He urged educators to uphold values, social responsibility, character-building and commitment to the nation, alongside academic knowledge. He observed that the National Education Policy is not merely a change in curriculum but a broader effort to reconnect Indian education with its value-based traditions.

Prof. Dr. Dhondiram Pawar reiterated the Mahasangh’s guiding principle of “Nation–Teacher–Society”, emphasising the need for collective efforts not only to address teachers’ professional concerns but also to promote quality education, student welfare and nation-building.

The programme was attended by Shri Ravindra Shinganapurkar, Governor-nominated member of the University Management Council; Principal Prof. Dr. Devidas Waydande, Management Council member; Prof. Dr. Prashant Sathe, special invitee member of the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad; Prof. Dr. Neeta Mohite, Senate member; Prof. Dr. Mahesh Abale, Maharashtra Vice-President of the Mahasangh; Dr. Priyanka Singh, women’s representative; and Principal Dr. Vijayprasad Awasthi, among others.

The programme was compered by Dr. Rajashree Rathod and Dr. Babasaheb Gavhane. Dr. Pratik Shinde and Dr. Umesh Bibwe introduced the speakers, while Dr. Deepak Chavan, Principal of Tilak College of Education, proposed the vote of thanks.

The successful organisation of the study workshop was supported by Mahasangh General Secretary Dr. Chandrashekhar Upasani, Treasurer Dr. Chetan Bhujbal, Pune District President Prof. Dr. Subhash Pawar, Ahilyanagar President Prof. Dr. Sambhaji Kale, Nashik President Prof. Dr. Sunil Ugale, along with several office-bearers and members.

Principals, faculty members, representatives of various university authorities and education-sector professionals from Pune, Nashik and Ahilyanagar districts attended the workshop in large numbers.