National Education Day 2024

IN NEWS: National Education Day 2024

ANALYSIS

1. Significance of National Education Day

• Observed annually on 11 November to honour Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, India’s first Education Minister.
• Highlights the critical role of education in shaping the nation’s future, especially with 65% of India’s population below 35 years.
• The government emphasises strengthening educational infrastructure and fostering holistic student development.

2. Constitutional & Legal Framework

• 86th Constitutional Amendment (Article 21-A): Guarantees free and compulsory education for children aged 6–14 years as a Fundamental Right.
• Right to Education Act, 2009: Effective from 1 April 2010, ensuring quality elementary education through prescribed norms.
• Establishes the foundation for inclusive and equitable access to schooling.

3. Major Policy Reforms & Initiatives

a. National Education Policy (NEP) 2020

• Approved on 29 July 2020.
• Aims to modernize India’s education system with a 21st-century orientation.
• Focuses on inclusivity, multidisciplinary learning, and skill development.

b. PM SHRI Schools

• Approved on 7 September 2022.
• Strengthening 14,500+ schools to serve as model institutions implementing NEP 2020.
• Total cost: ₹27,360 crore (2022–2027) with a central share of ₹18,128 crore.

c. Samagra Shiksha

• Launched 1 April 2021 for a 5-year period till 31 March 2026.
• Focus: Inclusive, equitable classroom environment; enhanced participation and academic performance.

d. PRERNA Programme

• Pilot phase: 15 January–17 February 2024 at Vadnagar, Gujarat.
• Week-long residential program for Class IX–XII students, blending heritage, innovation, and technology.

e. ULLAS (NILP)

• Duration: 2022–2027.
• Adult literacy initiative for individuals aged 15+, particularly those outside formal schooling.

f. NIPUN Bharat

• Launched on 5 July 2021.
• Mission target: Achieve foundational literacy & numeracy by Grade 3 by 2026–27.

g. Vidya Pravesh

• Released on 29 July 2021.
• A three-month play-based module for smooth entry of children into Grade I.

h. Vidyanjali

• Launched 7 September 2021.
• Enhances school quality through community participation and CSR engagement.

i. DIKSHA Platform

• Launched 5 September 2017.
• Supports teacher training, digital content creation, and state customization.

j. SWAYAM Plus

• Launched 27 February 2024.
• Offers industry-aligned courses with credit recognition to improve employability.

k. NISHTHA (Teacher Training Initiative)

• Launched 21 August 2019.
• Transitioned to NISHTHA-Online during COVID-19 (6 October 2020).
• NISHTHA 2.0: For secondary teachers (2021–22).
• NISHTHA 3.0 FLN: Launched 7 September 2021.

l. NIRF

• Launched on 29 September 2015.
• India’s national ranking system to enhance institutional accountability and transparency.

m. PM-Vidyalaxmi Scheme

• Supports meritorious students with education loans for top 860 institutions.
• Benefits 22 lakh+ students annually, assisting 7 lakh more through enhanced budget allocation.
• Budget: ₹3,600 crore (2024–25 to 2030–31).
• Fully digital, transparent, student-centric platform.

4. Budgetary Priorities in Education (2024–25)

School Education

• Allocation: ₹73,498 crore, an increase of ₹12,024 crore (19.56%) over FY 2023–24 (RE).
• Highest-ever allocation to:
  • KVS: ₹9,302 crore
  • NVS: ₹5,800 crore

Higher Education

• Allocation: ₹47,619.77 crore
  • Schemes: ₹7,487.87 crore
  • Non-schemes: ₹40,131.90 crore
• Increase over previous year: ₹3,525.15 crore (7.99%).

5. AISHE 2021–22: Key Highlights

• Female enrolment: 1.57 crore (2014–15) → 2.07 crore (2021–22) (32% increase).
• Gender Parity Index (GPI): 1.01, indicating more female students enrolled than males.
• Rise in enrolment across SC, ST, OBC, minority groups.
• Increase in STEM enrolment: 98.5 lakh learners across UG/PG/PhD.
• Dropout rate at secondary level reduced from 21% (2013–14) to 13% (2021–22).

STATIC POINTERS

• Maulana Abul Kalam Azad: First Education Minister of independent India (1947–1958).
• Education as a Fundamental Right: Article 21-A & RTE Act, 2009.
• NEP 2020: Third education policy after 1968 & 1986.
• NIRF Categories: Universities, Colleges, Engineering, Management, Pharmacy, Medical, Law, etc.

Updated – 10 Nov 2024 ; 07:38 PM | News Source: PIB (https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2072203)