New draft education policy by December: Smriti Irani

The HRD minister was speaking at a conclave organised by Hindustan Media Ventures Ltd.

Efforts are underway to prepare the draft of a new education policy by December with involvement of people at the district level, Union HRD minister Smriti Irani said on

HRD minister Smriti Irani addressing a press conference at BJP headquarters in New Delhi .(PTI/file)

Friday. “Till now, education policies were prepared by some persons at the national level, but people at ground level were never asked,” she said.

Irani said that on how new education policy should take shape, she was holding meetings with education minister of every state and district magistrates. The HRD minister was speaking at a conclave organised by Hindustan Media Ventures Ltd.

“Till now plans were framed at national or state level. From education point of view if we prepare district-wise plan then the systemic change we want can be achieved,” she said. She said that there was a need to understand what people at the district level need.

“I am going to request our institutions to revamp their curriculum and include technology learned in foreign countries in Indian institutions,” the minister said. She said if students do not have much choice then it was natural they would think to study abroad.

Irani said how education increases employability was a subject of discussion, but it should also be seen that what it means in the life of a man. “How our education increases employability has been a subject of discussion,” she said when asked about 23 lakh applicants, including PhD holders, applying for 368 posts of peon in Uttar Pradesh.

She said what was the real meaning of education in life was also a matter which should be thought about. “So, for me while employability is a corner stone, it has been equally important for me as to what type of citizens we prepare,” she said.