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National Education Policy 2020 Champions Social Work Practice: A Noteworthy Development

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In a promising turn of events, the hashtag #SchoolSocialWorkers is gaining momentum under the banner of #NEP2020, underscoring the essential role of social work in education. School Social work has long been a cornerstone of academic institutions, with the Matru Seva Institute of Social Work in Nagpur leading the way for years. Now, this vital initiative is receiving the recognition and support it truly deserves.

On 21st August 2024, Mr. Suneel Vatsyayan, Life Coach ,governing board member NAPSWI and Chairperson Nada India Foundation, was honored to be invited by Dr. Keshav Walke, the National Coordinator of NAPSWI (National Association of Professional Social Workers in India), to a well-organized state-level event in Maharashtra. This event, part of the 5th National Social Work Week (15th-21st August), was executed under Dr. Walke’s capable leadership. National Social Work Week, observed annually, serves as a platform for academic and professional interactions through various activities related to the social work profession. The theme for this year, ‘School Social Work: Opportunities and Challenges,’ highlights the increasing importance of school social work and the integration of school complexes as outlined in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

As part of the week’s celebrations, the “Indian Social Work Day” in Nagpur featured a national seminar on “School Social Work: Opportunities and Concerns” in a hybrid format. This seminar was jointly organized by the Matru Seva Sangh Institute of Social Work, Nagpur, and Tirpude College of Social Work, Nagpur, in collaboration with NAPSWI and the Maharashtra Association of Social Work Educators (MASWE).

Mr. Vatsyayan had the honor of serving as a Resource Person during the Technical Session on ‘School Social Work Practice with reference to NEP’ on August 21, 2024. In this session, he led an engaging discussion on the crucial role of school social workers, exploring several key issues with a participatory approach and unique energy that resonated with the audience:

  • Health: Addressing how students' learning outcomes are affected when they are undernourished or unwell.
  • Neglect: Tackling the challenge of ensuring no student is left behind.
  • Disconnect: Examining the impact of disconnection between students, parents, schools,teachers and community on retention and learning outcomes.
  • Biases and Stereotypes: Discussing the presence of biases and stereotypes in the school curriculum and their effects.

One of the most rewarding aspects of the event was the active and equal participation of both students and faculty members during Mr. Vatsyayan’s session, which truly embodied the principle of inclusivity. During the valedictory function, three students shared their feedback in Marathi, collectively expressing how his approach to connecting, empowering, and revitalizing participants resonated deeply with them. They particularly valued the emphasis on building a connection before viewing someone as a client or fellow human being.

Students also recognized the significance of Emotional CPR (Connect, Presence, and Revitalize) in today’s digitally connected yet trust-deficient world. They left with a deeper understanding of the importance of making campuses and school complexes healthy and safe, and how school social workers can lead the charge in creating healthier educational and healthcare services.

This event has set a strong precedent for the future of social work within the framework of NEP 2020. It is heartening to witness the growing acknowledgment of the crucial role that school social workers play in shaping the well-being of our students and educational institutions.

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