The Union Minister of Education recently inaugurated the National Education Day programme via a virtual event organised by IIT Bombay. This article delves into the significance of the day, alongside highlights from the event and insights into India’s education portfolio and future plans.
National Education Day
Annually observed on November 11th since 2008, National Education Day pays tribute to the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad. The first Union Education Minister of India, Azad wore many hats – as a freedom fighter, scholar, and renowned educationist. He played an integral role in Independent India’s foundation and was instrumental in establishing apex education bodies like the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and University Grants Commission (UGC). His invaluable contributions were recognized when he posthumously received the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian award in 1992.
Understanding the Event
The event emphasized India’s dedication to positioning itself as a global education hub. The ‘Study in India, Stay in India’ mantra punctuated the proceedings, underlining the commitment towards high-quality education and internationalization of the educational experience. This idea is an extension of the Study in India programme, the Indian Government’s flagship project initiated in collaboration with multiple administrative ministries in April 2018.
Goals of the Study in India Programme
The Study in India initiative targets various objectives. It aims to enhance India’s soft power, focusing on neighbouring countries and leveraging it as a diplomatic tool. It seeks to encourage more inbound international students to choose India for their studies and aspires to increase India’s global share of education exports from less than 1% to 2%. Other objectives include improvement in the overall quality of higher education, increased contribution of international students through both direct and indirect spending, enhancement of India’s global ranking as an education destination, and balancing out the export-import disparities in international student numbers.
Education in India: Constitutional Provisions and Policies
The Indian Constitution supports education within its directives. Part IV of the Constitution (Article 45 and Article 39 (f), DPSP) includes a provision for state-funded, equitable, and accessible education. The move to include education in the Concurrent List came with the 42nd Amendment in 1976. Education policies directed by the Central Government are broad and provide a guideline for state governments. However, adherence is voluntary. Case in point, Tamil Nadu does not follow the three-language formula prescribed by the first education policy in 1968. The education landscape saw major reform when the 86th Amendment made education an enforceable right under Article 21-A in 2002.
Education-Related Laws and Government Initiatives
The Right To Education (RTE) Act, 2009 takes a significant place in the Indian education rulebook. It ensures primary education for all children aged 6 to 14 years, enforces education as a Fundamental Right, and mandates a 25% reservation for disadvantaged sections of society. Several other initiatives have resulted from the National Education Policy of 1986, like Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Mid Day Meal Scheme, Navodaya Vidyalayas, Kendriya Vidyalayas, and use of IT in education.
Propelling Forward
Initiatives like Study in India and the New Education Policy seek to foster an inclusive, global, and high-quality education. They incorporate field experiences, empirical research, stakeholder feedback, and lessons from best practices. If implemented according to their true vision, they can bring India at par with leading nations worldwide, establishing India as a global hub of education.