‘5th National Social Work Week’ as initiated by National Association of Professional Social Workers of India (NAPSWI).

Leh, August 24, 2024: The Department of Social Work, EJM College, Leh celebrated a weeklong programme on the occasion of ‘5th National Social Work Week’ as initiated by National Association of Professional Social Workers of India (NAPSWI) from August 15 to August 21.
The theme for the programme was ‘School Social Work: Opportunities and Challenges’ as the importance and necessity of a school social worker has been recognized and specifically highlighted in the New Education Policy, 2020.
The first day of the event was dedicated to a national webinar conducted by NAPSWI and attended by state co-coordinators across the nation.
During the weeklong programme, various events were organised including a webinar in which eminent Social Work Educators, Prof. Sanjai Bhatt and Prof. Asutosh Pradhan were invited to speak on the ‘Field Work Practicum and its scope in School Setting’ and ‘Importance of Social Work Education and its scope in School Setting’ respectively.
Also, an Inter-Department Quiz Competition was held in which five departments (Zoology, Social Work, Sociology, Biochemistry and Commerce) from the college participated. The topic for the competition focused on General Studies that covered questions from various fields ranging from economics, politics, social issues, science and sports. Department of Zoology emerged as the winner of the competition.
Similarly, a workshop was also organised on “Gender-based violence in context of school setting. Social Workers, Aamir Sohail from Special Cell for Women- Leh, Hasseena Batool from Special Cell for Women- Kargil and Shahida Parveen, Centre Administrator- One Stop Centre, Leh, were invited for conducting the workshop. The primary focus of the workshop was to make the students aware about the discriminatory practices based on gender that has been otherwise normalized and accepted in our society.
The speakers explained the concept of gender-based violence as any act that hurts, threatens, forces, violates or restricts someone based on the gendered power structure. They also provided a detailed account about the various forms of violence ranging from financial, physical, psychological and sexual abuse that are perpetuated to reinforce and strengthen gender based inequality, norms and beliefs. Besides, the speakers informed the students about the various kinds of support and assistance offered by their respective organizations to the victims of such cases and requested them to further spread awareness in their community regarding the same.
Additionally, a panel discussion on the theme ‘School Social Work: Opportunities and Challenges’ was organised for which 4 experts from different fields relevant to school setting were invited: Dechen Wangmo, Principal of Siddhartha High School, Prakash Chandra, Addict Counsel Level 3 from Teen Challenge (NGO), Monalisa Sharma, Principal of Mahabodhi School and Hasseena Batool, Social Worker.
The respective discussants shared their experiences and knowledge about the challenges and also the developments that they have witnessed in the school setting throughout their career. They further highlighted the importance of the role of a social worker in a school which is not only limited to individual or group counseling, but also includes several other responsibilities like ensuring inclusive education, bridging the differences between parents, students and even teachers and help the students incorporate the skills and values of honesty, compassion and accountability towards building a better community.
The final day of the weeklong event was observed as the ‘National Social Work Day’ which concluded with a valedictory ceremony and cultural programme attended by the Principal, EJM College, faculty members and students from different departments.
The speakers and experts along with the winners of the Inter-department quiz competition were felicitated in the valedictory ceremony followed by a cultural programme.