Jamshedpur: Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has announced a major shift in India’s schooling system. The New Education Policy (NEP) will now integrate Arts, Sports, and Skills to make learning more practical and job-ready.
Girls’ Hostels in Every District
The Centre plans to build a 500-bed girls’ hostel in every district across India. These hostels will support female students and boost literacy rates. While the Union Budget provides the funding, state governments will manage the daily operations.
A Phased Rollout
The Ministry will implement the new curriculum in three stages:
- Classes 6–8: Initial rollout focusing on foundational skills.
- Classes 9–10: Expansion into secondary education.
- Classes 11–12: Final integration for senior students.
Students will no longer choose between “academics” and “hobbies.” Instead, they will study Mathematics and Science alongside professional vocational training.
Why ‘One Education’ Won’t Work
Pradhan clarified that a single, uniform curriculum for all of India is not practical. With 25 crore students and 15 lakh schools, the system must respect India’s unique linguistic and cultural diversity.
Boost for Jharkhand Education
The Minister highlighted specific benefits for Jharkhand:
- PM Shri Schools: More high-quality “PM Shri” schools will open across the state.
- Mid-Day Meals: The government is considering increasing meal quotas to keep more children in school.
- Higher Education: New IITs, NITs, and IIMs will be established in developing districts.
Addressing the NCERT Controversy
Regarding the Supreme Court’s critique of Class 8 Social Science textbooks, Pradhan promised swift action. “We have ordered the withdrawal of controversial books,” he stated. He added that the government will penalize those responsible for the errors and strengthen the review process.
