New education policy soon, says Smriti Irani

The HRD minister said her govt is taking Right to Education passed by earlier UPA govt towards its real objective

Union Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani has said the government will unveil a new education policy soon.

"We have received suggestions from people living in 1.10 lakh villages and over 1,500 municipal bodies. We have prepared a document with the help of experts, including advice by education councils, to improve our education system. It will be unveiled in 15-20 days," Irani said in an interview to All India Radio on Monday.

She said it is for the first time that a National Education Policy was being prepared after consulting people living in villages and far-flung areas.

Irani said her government is taking the Right to Education (RTE) passed by the earlier UPA government towards its real objective.

"The previous government got passed the RTE but failed to make any provision for fees of 25% students whom they have provided seat reservation in private schools. We made the required arrangements and have paid for the education of 18 lakh students after checking their records through state governments," she said.

Crediting Prime Minister Narendra Modi for this endeavour, she said the human resource development ministry has digitised National Council of Educational Research and Training books from Class 9 to 12.

"All these books are available free of cost in English, Hindi and Urdu through a mobile app," Irani said.

Irani also said the ministry will launch a web portal - Bharatvani - shortly on various subjects ranging from teaching to learning in 22 Indian languages.

The minister said the government will build 16 research parks through the Indian Institute of Technology, which is five times those built from 2004 to 2014.

"Work has already started on six parks. These institutions will impart vocational and technological skills to students through diploma and certificate courses. We will involve IIT faculty to teach the students," she said.

Irani said the government had invited industry leaders to partner in these institutes and that private players have already invested over Rs.140 crore in setting them up.

The HRD minister said several foreign universities are collaborating with Indian institutions under the University Grants Commission norms so that Indian students can get the best of education at home.

She said her ministry's aim is to ensure that universities are not used as tool for political purposes and remain temples of learning.