Almost thirty-five years ago, when educationists in India gave little attention to the quality of elementary education, let alone early childhood education (ECE), Mr. Ramesh Panse had already realized its importance and potential to build a strong society. In parallel, with experimentation and application, he gathered and systematically studied the early experiments on child education conducted by Mahatma Gandhi, Maria Montessori, Gijubhai Badheka and Tarabai Modak during the early and mid-1900s in different parts of India. Mr. Ramesh Panse then painstakingly documented this knowledge in various books and articles, written in Marathi (the predominant language in the State of Maharashtra).

Of special mention here would be his in-depth study of ‘Nai Talim’, the educational movement started by Mahatma Gandhi, which has been published as a book in Marathi and recently translated in English.

Mr. Panse then supported this knowledge by a study of modern child education theories and experiments happening around the world. He then widened his scope to various other fields of studies that relate to child development and childhood education, such as cognitive sciences, psychology, evolution, neurosciences and linguistics. Connecting these dots, Mr. Panse created a comprehensive framework for child education, appropriate for the Indian context at the grassroots level.

Mr Panse has won many awards for his work; mention of one is relevant here. Kusumagraj Pratishan (Foundation) is one of the most revered, independent foundations in the state, and it recognizes highly significant and original contributions in the areas of literature, arts and social work every year. In 2013, the foundation recognized Mr. Panse with the ‘Godavari Gaurav Puraskar’ award for ‘knowledge creation and dissemination’.

The following is a list of books written by Mr. Ramesh Panse, followed by another list of books edited by him. Details are provided here for only a few important books.

Except for the first title, which was originally written in Marathi language and later translated in English, all others are in Marathi.

On Education (Specifically, childhood education):

1. ‘Shikshan: Anandakshan’ (‘Education: A Moment of Joy’):

   (An in-depth study of selected experimental primary schools in the State of Maharashtra.)
   Published by Unicef - originally in Marathi (2000), translated into English (2012).

   Brief Synopsis:

   Unicef-India invited Mr. Panse to undertake an in-depth case study of schools in the State of Maharashtra who had conducted experiments and applied student-centric educational methods to primary education. The book covers 12 such schools in various parts of the state. The 50-page preface by Mr. Panse is considered to be one of the most comprehensive essays on the importance of primary education and application of scientific educational practices. It summarizes and suggests ways and means of transforming traditional, teacher-centric childhood education into child-friendly, learner-centric, constructivist education.

2. ‘Bal-Shikshan: Swaroop Va Disha’ (‘Childhood Education: Its Nature and its Future’).

   Brief Synopsis:

   The book compiles the Western and Eastern history of Early Childhood Education, and major contributions of the world’s eminent educators. The book is now widely used as either a textbook or a reference book for ECE courses in Maharashtra.

3. ‘Karta-Karavita’ (‘The one that’s behind everything that we do’, meaning ’The Brain’).

   Brief Synopsis:

   The book compiles modern brain (neurological and neuropsychological) research, and covers its implications for education and life in general. It is now widely used in higher education (degree and diploma) courses in Education.

4. ‘Rachanavadi Shikshan’

   Brief Synopsis:

   The book encompasses the history, theory and practice of Constructivism as a philosophy and as a methodology of education. Presently, this is the only reference book on this topic available in Marathi. As the government had recently accepted constructivist education methods, this book is now recommended to all policy-makers and government officials concerned with education.

5. ‘Gram-mangal che Bhasha-shikshan’ (‘Language Learning by Gram-mangal Methods’).

   Brief Synopsis:

   Page | 10

   The book comprises various methods of language teaching and learning in K-10 schools, with elaborate description of experiments conducted by Gram-mangal, over the past decade.

6. ‘Shikshan-Parivartanachi Samajik Chalwal’ (‘The Movement for Educational Transformation’).

   Brief Synopsis:

   The book is a collection of the presidential addresses (speeches) delivered by Mr. Panse, in the annual conferences of Maharashtra Bal-shikshan Parishad (Maharashtra Childhood Education Organization). The series covers various aspects of childhood education.

7. ‘Mulanche Shikshan, Palak va Shasan’ (Children’s Education, Parents and the Government’)
8. ‘Ajche Shikshan: Udyache Jeevan’ (Today’s Learning: Tomorrow’s Life’)
9. ‘Bahuvidha Buddhimattancha Vichar’ (The Principles and Application of Multiple
   Intelligence’)(2003 and 2007)
10. ‘Nile Akash, Hirwi Zade, Kali Mati: Bhasha-shikshan’ (‘Blue Sky, Green Trees, Black Soil: Language Learning’)
11. ‘Mendu, Bhasha ani Bhasha-shikshan’ (‘The Brain, Language and Learning’) (2011).
12. ‘Ekvisawe Shatak ani Apale Bal-shikshan’ (‘The 21st Century and Child Education’) (2011).
13. ‘Bal-shikshanachi Navi Disha’ (‘The New Direction for Child Education’) (2012).
14. ‘Shasan ani Bal-shikshan’ (‘The Government and Child Education’) (2000).
15. ‘Bhashesathi Dnyanachach Bali Dyaycha Ka?’ (‘Should We Compromise Knowledge for Learning a Language?’- regarding medium of instruction.)
16. ‘Rajya-stariya Bal-shikshan Samitichya Shifarasi’ (‘Recommendations of the State-Level Committee on Childhood Education’) (1996).
17. ‘Shodh Ghete Te Shikshan’ (‘Learning is Discovery’) (2008).
18. ‘Lahan Mulanchya Palakansathi’ (‘For Parents of Young Children’) (2000, 2001, 2005, 2010).
19. ‘Lahan Mulanchya Shikshikansathi’ (‘For Teachers of Young Children’) (2000, 2002, 2010).
20. ‘Lahan Mulanchya Shalansathi’ (‘For Schools of Young Children’) (2001, 2010).
21. ‘Dr. Maria Montessori – Nave Darshan’ (‘A New Look at Dr. Montessori’s Work’) (2007).
22. ‘Nootan Bal-shikshanacha Vaicharik Itihas’ (‘The History of the Nootan Bal-shikshan Sangh’, the last movement of childhood education in India) (2003, 2012).
23. ‘Tarabai Modak – Charitra va Karya’ (‘The Biography of the Life and Work of Ms. Tarabai Modak’, one of the pioneers in childhood education in India).
24. ‘Vichar-phule’ (‘Flowers of Thought’), a collection of short observation-based essays about children’s behavior and learning.
25. ‘Pavsa-nantarche Un’ (‘The Warm Sunlight After the Rain’) – a collection of essays.
26. ‘Edited by Mr. Panse:’ 5 books written by Ms. Tarabai Modak, one of the pioneers in childhood education.



Books on Development:

27. ‘Bhartachi Dusari Gulami’ (‘India’s Second Slavery’)
28. ‘Vikasvichar’ (‘Thoughts on Development’)
29. ‘Swadeshi Vikasniti’ (‘Patriotic Development’)

Other Publications where Mr. Panse was one of the contributors, along with a team:

1. Development-oriented curriculum for Early Childhood Education.
2. Teacher-Training Certificate Course for Early Childhood Education.
3. Evaluation Course for Teachers.

1. Founder and Trustee of ‘Grammangal’, a non-profit organization devoted to propagating learner-centric, constructivist childhood education via model schools and teacher training for underprivileged children in tribal, rural and urban areas. (1982-present)
2. Founder and Director, ‘Maharashtra Bal-Shikshan Parishad’ (Maharashtra Childhood Education Organization), a non-profit organization focused on public education about cientifically based childhood education. (From 1994 to present.)
3. Editor, ‘Shikshan-Vedh’, a monthly publication focused on spreading awareness and popularizing experiments in learner-centric childhood education. (2009-present.)
4. President of the ‘Shikshan-Hakk Samanvay Samiti’ (‘Right-to-Education Coordination Committee), an activist movement to protect the rights of Marathi medium schools.
5. Advisor, ‘Shantilal Muttha Foundation’, a non-profit foundation focused on value-based learner-centric education reform in India. Mr. Panse also started the Educational Research team for this organization. (2013-present.)
6. Member of State-level Regulatory and Project Committee of ’Rajya Marathi Vikas Sanstha’ (State Committee for Development of Marathi Language). (2010-present.)
7. Member of Advisory Committee, State Government’s ’Mahila va Balkalyan Vibhag’ (Department for Women and Children’s Welfare). (2010-present.)
8. Member of the State-level Steering Committee for Corporate Social Responsibility. (2014-present.)

1. John Dalwi Award for Outstanding Social Work, Leslie Sawani Programme for Training forDemocracy, Mumbai (1990)
2. ‘Best University Teacher’ Award, National Teacher Welfare Association, Mumbai (1991)
3. ‘Award for Outstanding Vocational Services’ Rotary Club North, Thane (1992-93)
4. Award by residents of Thane for Social Work (1996)
5. ‘Latur Bhukamp Sewa Puraskar’ (‘Latur Earthquake Disaster Relief Service Award’),Government of Maharashtra (1996)
6. ‘Life Achievement Award’ by Rotary Club of Pune Metro, (2007)
7. ‘Yogi Shri Arvind Purskar’, Gurukul, Badlapur, (2007)
8. ‘Samajsewak Purskar’ (Social Worker Award’), Talwalkar Pratishthan, Pune (2007)
9. ‘Maharashtra Granthotejak Sanstha Gaurav Purskar’ in memory of Anand Kelkar, (2013)
10. ‘Dyan-Nirmiti Goda Gaurav Purskar’, (‘The Goda Gaurav Award for Knowledge Creation and Dissemination’) by Kusumagraj Pratishthan, Nashik (2014) John Dalwi Award for Outstanding Social Work, Leslie Sawani Programme for Training for Democracy, Mumbai (1990)
11. ‘Best University Teacher’ Award, National Teacher Welfare Association, Mumbai (1991)
12. ‘Award for Outstanding Vocational Services’ Rotary Club North, Thane (1992-93)
13. Award by residents of Thane for Social Work (1996)
14. ‘Latur Bhukamp Sewa Puraskar’ (‘Latur Earthquake Disaster Relief Service Award’),Government of Maharashtra (1996)
15. ‘Life Achievement Award’ by Rotary Club of Pune Metro, (2007)
16. ‘Yogi Shri Arvind Purskar’, Gurukul, Badlapur, (2007)
17. ‘Samajsewak Puraskar’ (Social Worker Award’), Talwalkar Pratishthan, Pune (2007)
18. ‘Maharashtra Granthotejak Sanstha Gaurav Purskar’ in memory of Anand Kelkar, (2013)
19. ‘Dyan-Nirmiti Goda Gaurav Purskar’, (‘The Goda Gaurav Award for Knowledge Creation and Dissemination’) by Kusumagraj Pratishthan, Nashik (2014)