NCERT Attains Deemed-to-be-University Status: A Transformative Step in Indian Education
On the occasion of the 63rd Foundation Day of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), a momentous announcement echoed through the educational landscape of India. The Ministry of Higher Education granted NCERT the coveted “deemed-to-be-university” status, a move that signals a significant transformation in the organization’s role and influence in shaping the country’s educational future.
Union Minister of Education, Dharmendra Pradhan, unveiled this remarkable development, highlighting NCERT’s substantial contributions to research, school education, teacher training, and adult literacy over the years. He emphasized that NCERT’s newfound status as a research university opens doors to global collaborations and positions it as a crucial player on the international educational stage. Drawing parallels with the prestigious Indian Institute of Science, Mr. Pradhan underlined the magnitude of this recognition.
Beyond this remarkable achievement, the Union Minister shed light on an innovative initiative that holds the promise of revolutionizing early childhood education in India. Known as “JaduiPitara,” this play-based learning-teaching material is tailored for children aged 3 to 8 years. Developed by NCERT, it is poised to be a catalyst for change, benefiting an estimated 10 crore children who are entering the play-based learning system, whether in anganwadis or pre-primary sections of schools, with an educational journey that extends up to Class two.
Mr. Pradhan emphasized the critical importance of the early years in a child’s development, noting that a staggering 80% of brain development occurs before the age of 8. To harness this potential fully, the content must be not only engaging but also adapted to the child’s mother tongue. This, he stressed, is pivotal to ensuring that education is not only accessible but also effective.
Expanding his vision for India’s educational landscape, Mr. Pradhan proposed the establishment of Augmented Reality, Virtual Reality, and Artificial Intelligence labs in all seven regional centers of NCERT. In this endeavor, NCERT has found an ally in the multinational IT company Hewlett Packard, which is lending its expertise to facilitate the integration of these cutting-edge technologies.
To position India as a global hub for research and innovation, the Union Minister underscored the importance of equipping these centers with state-of-the-art technology and future-ready infrastructure sourced from around the world. He also called upon NCERT to standardize the curriculum for teacher training, particularly in the domain of Early Childhood Care and Education.
In line with the ever-evolving educational landscape, Mr. Pradhan suggested the inclusion of chapters on Chandrayaan 3’s evolution and the agreements of the G-20 summit in new textbooks. These additions would not only keep students abreast of the latest developments but also instill a global perspective from an early age.
In a bid to ensure inclusivity and accessibility, Mr. Pradhan unveiled another ambitious plan—NCERT’s development of educational material in all 22 languages. This colossal undertaking will leverage cutting-edge software like Anuvadini and Bhashini, transcending linguistic barriers and making quality education available to a broader spectrum of learners across the nation.
The conferment of “deemed-to-be-university” status upon NCERT marks a pivotal moment in India’s educational journey. It signifies a shift towards a more research-oriented approach and global engagement, positioning NCERT as a hub of innovation and progress. Simultaneously, initiatives like “JaduiPitara” promise to reshape early childhood education, fostering creativity, curiosity, and a love for learning among the youngest members of society. Augmented by technological advancements, standardized teacher training, and a global perspective, India’s educational landscape appears poised for a transformative era of growth and development.
News Mania Desk / Agnibeena Ghosh 5th September 2023
