Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday addressed a review meeting of the Department of School Education and Literacy, attended by representatives from states and Union Territories.

Pradhan outlined a five-year roadmap for revamping school education in India. He called for a collaborative effort between the states and the centre to strengthen the education ecosystem and replicate best practices nationwide. Pradhan highlighted the emotional bond between students and their teachers and emphasized the importance of teacher capacity building to enhance the vibrancy of the educational system. The minister also spoke on the need to boost skilling capacities to improve employability.

Reflecting on nearly four years since the introduction of the National Education Policy (NEP), Pradhan pointed out the policy’s role in transforming India into a knowledge superpower while ensuring equitable access to quality education.

The minister also underscored the importance of education in Indian languages, in line with NEP 2020’s emphasis on instruction in the mother tongue. He urged stakeholders to uphold the policy’s core principles of access, equity, quality, affordability, and accountability in education.

The education minister stressed the need to prepare global citizens for the 21st century, driven by rapid technological advancements. He advocated for an education system that is both rooted in tradition and forward-looking, highlighting the importance of technology readiness and critical thinking in schools.

The agenda for the meeting included discussions on a five-year action plan, a 100-day action plan, the status of infrastructure and civil works, ICT and smart classrooms under Samagra Shiksha for all States and UTs, the status and setup of VSK and 200 channels, finalizing UDISE+ for 2023-24, upgrading DIET as Centers of Excellence, and the need for tobacco control and implementation of TOFEI guidelines in schools.