New Delhi: Union HRD minister Smriti Irani has conceded that the feedback she has received says that Class X board exams were better.
In an exclusive interview to Times of India, Smriti Irani said,” Class X boards were better? I've the same feedback. A CABE sub-committee has studied this. Not just parents, CMs—even those from Congress-ruled states—say: Reinstitute it.”
Pointing out the gap between school education and higher education, she urged all stakeholders to discuss the matter on one platform.
“Every state has a different need. We must address these. Education ministry didn't take cognizance of state needs. I was uncomfortable with this. When you want to work together—cooperative federalism is the mantra—why won't you listen to the states? People you seek to serve are in those districts,” she said.
“Everybody had ideas but little time for people who wanted to bring conceptual change. I'm willing to listen to concepts. I told my ministry not to chase big-ticket announcements for great headlines,” she added,” added Irani.
From January 26 to February 5, over 2,500 people contributed on 32 themes posted on mygov.in regarding the new education policy. Smriti will be meeting various ministries to discuss about new knowledge their sectors need so a new curriculum can be devised.
“We're calling a meeting of education secretaries to give them a structure so they can start deliberations from village education council onwards up to the state and regional councils. I've meetings in Sikkim—at the village level—for the national policy and one in Chattisgarh, for Bastar,” Smiri said.
“For the first time we've collated best practices in the districts from education officers and awarded them. At the bottom you have good people delivering. We're trying to bring them up and share their strategies.” She quoted Stephen Covey, the American educator who famously said that in the industrial age leadership is a position. In the information age, it's a choice. Students are asked to write what's mentioned in their book and are punished for being current. Rote system is deep-seated; migrating to critical thinking will take three-four years,” she added
According to Irani, learning outcomes for Maths and Science from Classes VI to VIII have fallen to 30% and students are unable to understand basic concepts of science and maths.
“That's why govt have launched a National Mission on Teachers and Training (NMTT) that'll take into account critical thinking,” Irani said.
Irani also said that a centralized system for the mid-day meals in schools will be used to ensure all the safety protocols are followed in cooking.
The minister also pointed out the need for regulating private schools.
“No institution should tell parents to shell out more money in such a way that they feel they're being fleeced. Parents happily pay for betterment of students. The government must ensure that it doesn't stifle the private sector and also doesn't leave the private sector free to bleed somebody unjustly,” Smriti said
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