New Delhi, Jan 9 (NationPress) Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan emphasized the importance of transforming schools into dynamic, community-centric institutions to facilitate significant change in the education landscape. Speaking at a stakeholder consultation meeting under the Samagra Shiksha scheme in New Delhi, Pradhan highlighted that after five years of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, India is gearing up to shift towards a new Samagra Shiksha framework in 2026-27, in line with the vision of Viksit Bharat.

“Our primary challenge today is to create an education system and workforce that meets the aspirations of a developed India,” the Minister articulated.

Pradhan pointed out the significant expectations surrounding Samagra Shiksha, noting that states nationwide have garnered valuable insights and developed best practices in utilizing education as a means to forge a more equitable society.

“Every state possesses unique experiences and best practices that should be integrated to further enhance Samagra Shiksha and address the needs of our populace,” he stated.

The Minister underscored the necessity for transformative reforms across various facets of school education, such as enhancing learning outcomes, bolstering nutrition standards, alleviating examination pressures, streamlining learning processes, achieving 100% enrollment up to Class XII, fostering holistic school development, and effectively utilizing technology and digital tools.

“To genuinely translate these elements into tangible outcomes, we must reintegrate schools with society,” Pradhan insisted.

Expanding on the community's role, he indicated that while the government should maintain accountability for systems and salaries, the management and daily operations of schools should involve the broader society.

“The government must oversee systems and salaries, but societal ownership should govern school operations. As we transition toward a new Samagra Shiksha framework, we need to collaboratively explore how to achieve this,” he urged.

Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for Viksit Bharat by 2047, Pradhan asserted that this ambition can only be fulfilled when every child in India has access to quality education, achieving complete enrollment up to Class XII.

Bridging learning gaps and drop-out rates, enhancing learning and nutrition outcomes, developing teacher capacity, promoting design thinking and critical skills among students, moving beyond the “Macaulay mindset,” and building strong human capital for a developed India are collective duties, he added.

The Minister also called upon academic experts, senior officials from various ministries, and representatives from participating states and union territories to collaborate on a comprehensive annual plan for the academic year 2026-27.

“This initiative should evolve into a national movement,” Pradhan emphasized.

The consultation meeting gathered key stakeholders to discuss the future trajectory of Samagra Shiksha and to ensure the emerging framework effectively supports India’s educational and developmental objectives.