Real challenge for Modi Govt. is improving quality of education: Javadekar

Former Union Minister of State for Environment, Forests and Climate Change Prakash Javadekar, who was promoted to the Human Resource Development Ministry, said here on Wednesday that the real challenge for the Prime Minister Narendra Modi-led NDA Government at the moment is improving the quality of education.

"Education is an emancipator. It is a real change agent. If you want to build a modern India of 21st century, we have to revolutionaries our education. Education must become more meaningful and also the quality of education needs to be improved," Javadekar told the media here in his first address after being promoted.

He said that education has to be student-centric and it has to build character capacity into the students.

"Why poor parents are doing their best to give the best education to their kids? Because they think education is the key for development. Therefore, we have to improve the quality of education. That's the real challenge and that's the emphasis of Modi Government," he added.

Asserting that the Prime Minister has a vision for education, Javadekar said he will consult with everybody as this was everybody's subject.

"It touches everybody's hearts. I will discuss with Smriti ji also, who has taken very good initiatives in two-year tenure. We will have a roadmap clearly," he added.

Javadekar stated that he value teachers as he thinks they can make the country proud.

"We believe education is a weapon of change. To ensure everyone gets good education will be our goal. Many media houses are playing a very important role in reaching out as far as education is concerned. I have many initiatives in mind. Giving final shape, we will definitely take media also as a partner in progress," he added.

In a much-awaited Cabinet reshuffle, Prime Minister Modi had yesterday inducted 19 new faces, who have been chosen after an exhaustive vetting process to carry forward the government's vision of 'Gaon, Garib aur Kisan'.

The 19 leaders from the BJP and alliance partners the Apna Dal, AGP and RPI were sworn-in at a glittering ceremony held at the Rastrapati Bhawan here.

Minister of State for Environment and Forests Prakash Javadekar, who has been promoted to the Cabinet rank, was the first to take the oath.

According to sources, the selection framework clearly laid out by the Prime Minister was to bring in "doers and performers", who would deliver on his vision of development and good governance.

This marks a firm departure from the usual routine of frequent changes based on caste, religion and other time serving political considerations - and is a firm endorsement of the brand of developmental politics that the Prime Minister champions, they added.

The decision of expanding the Council of Ministers came after taking into consideration a diverse range of factors.

The first major Cabinet reshuffle was in November 2014.

According to the Constitution, a maximum of 82 ministers can be accommodated in the Cabinet.