Pradhan Launches Groundbreaking Educational Initiatives to Transform Schooling and Teacher Training in India
Dharmendra Pradhan launches various initiatives in School and Teacher Education
Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister of Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, heralded a new chapter in Indian education by launching a suite of transformative initiatives aimed at enriching school and teacher education. At an event held at Kaushal Bhawan, New Delhi, and attended by key officials from the Department of School Education & Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education, Pradhan unveiled these initiatives designed to implement the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 effectively, foster teacher empowerment, and promote inclusive, innovative, and equitable quality education.
The initiatives introduced include the establishment of DIETS of Excellence, the National Professional Standard for Teachers (NPST), the National Mission for Mentoring (NMM), the release of 52 Primers by NCERT in Indian languages, the inception of the National Vidya Samiksha Kendra, and the ambitious expansion to 200 TV Channels dedicated to educational content. These measures mark a decisive step towards realizing the vision of a Developed India by 2047, focusing on grassroots implementation of NEP 2020 and emphasizing the critical role of teachers and learners in this journey.
Pradhan underscored the importance of language as a foundational element of learning, stating that the 52 Primers in Indian languages signify the beginning of a new civilizational renaissance. This initiative is poised to create a seamless and futuristic learning landscape that not only promotes learning in Indian languages but also aligns with the holistic vision of NEP 2020 for transforming school education.
The National Mission for Mentoring, with its comprehensive digital platform, aims to support and guide teachers through quality mentoring sessions by experienced professionals. This initiative has been developed through extensive consultations, including in-house discussions, Open House Discussions, and feedback from pilots and stakeholders. The Bluebook on NMM, to be translated into the 22 scheduled languages, Braille, and Audiobooks, outlines the mission's framework for nationwide dissemination.
Similarly, the NPST establishes a benchmark for teachers' competencies, focusing on improving personal and professional development to ensure students are taught by highly qualified, motivated, and well-equipped educators. This guiding document, set to be translated for broader accessibility, is a testament to the collective effort needed from all stakeholders to uplift the teaching profession.
The introduction of 200 DTH TV Channels under the PMeVidya initiative represents a significant enhancement in digital/online/on-air education, aiming to provide a unified and resilient platform for educational content accessible across various platforms.
Additionally, the National Vidya Samiksha Kendra, operationalized by NCERT, facilitates research, development, and capacity building, integrating with state counterparts to promote visibility and actionability across key educational programs.
The financial assistance plan of Rs 9000 crores to upgrade all 613 District Institutes of Education and Training (DIETs) into Centers of Excellence underscores the government's commitment to bolstering the physical and pedagogical infrastructure of teacher training institutes across India.