Prof. Panse taught Economics at S. N. D. T. University in Mumbai, India, for about 23 years. He was a Reader in Economics, and later became the Head of Economics at the Department of Post-Graduate Studies and Research. While at this position, among other things, he exposed his hundreds of students to rural and tribal India, and impressed upon them the need for working in these communities.
In 1982, along with the eminent social worker/educationist late Anutai Wagh, he founded Gram-Mangal. He continues to be the Trustee of the organization.
Apart from Gram-Mangal, Prof. Panse has founded and is involved in a number of social activities related to education. For example, he was one of the founders of Maharashtra Bal-Shikshan Parishad (Maharashtra Institute for Child Education), where he, along with many other dedicated social workers, leads research and activities that impact policy and many institutions in the area. For several years now, Prof. Panse has been the Chief Editor of the Marathi Shikshan Patrika, an Educational monthly which is now the only remaining successor to the "Shikshan Patrika" launched by late Gijubhai Badheka in Northern India. In addition, he also edits the Arthabodh Patrika, a bi-monthly journal of The Indian school of Political Economy, at Pune, India.
He has authored numerous (approx 20) books, on the subjects of Economics and Early Childhood Education. His literature spans a wide range, from simple instructional guides for parents of small children, to comprehensive texts on new theories of Child-Education.
Recently, he was invited by UNICEF, India, to conduct an extensive research/survey of innovative Elementary Education Experiments in the State of Maharashtra, and to write a detailed analytical account of the same. This was published in the form of a book in Marathi language, called Shikshan: Anand-kshan (Education: A moment of joy). Most recently, Prof. Panse published a book named Karta-Karavita (The Creator), on the topic of brain development and how it relates to Early Childhood Education.
"Vichar-Phule" is a collection of Prof. Panse's short essays. These 1-2 page stories, based on his observations of the everyday life in urban areas, are written in extremely simple words. However, they have the power to make us start thinking about our priorities in life, to make us start questioning ourselves about our actions. Other examples are booklets called "Lahaan Mulaanchya Paalakan-sathi" (For the parents of young children), and "Lahaan Mulaanchya Shikshakan-sathi" (For the teachers of young children). These are inexpensive, handy booklets that summarize the most modern thoughts on child education in surprisingly simple language.
|
