Patna, Dec. 2: Speakers and participants advocated for the formation of a working group, which would work for the revival of basic schools, on the final day of the second national convention on Nai Talim (basic school pattern).

Tara Gandhi, the granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi, was the centre of attraction on the day. “Only Nai Talim, which was first advocated by the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, is the only alternative that can provide education to work towards the foundation of a non-violent society,” Tara said, adding the focus of the system should be to give girls an equal opportunity.

“The concept of Nai Talim cannot be revived until and unless people from all walks of life come forward in reviving the concept. The basic school cannot be revived without the co-operation of the people,” Tara said.

She pointed out that the government should have its own board and there should be little interference from the government in its functioning. Tara said: “The government can provide funds for the revival of the basic school pattern but it should not interfere in its working.”

The two-day convention was organised at AN Sinha Institute of Social Studies. At the conference it was mooted that a group will work under the modalities to revive these basic schools. Institute director DM Diwakar has been made the convener of the working group.