Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan informed the Rajya Sabha about a significant 31% surge in girls’ school enrollment between 2014-15, crediting various government initiatives led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He highlighted India’s vast student population, exceeding 300 million, with 260 million in grades 0-12 and 40 million in higher education, emphasizing the minority who pursue studies beyond the basic level.
Under the Modi government, higher education witnessed a notable 20-25% upsurge in student numbers. Moreover, enrollment rates for Scheduled Castes (SC) girls recorded a 50% increase, while Scheduled Tribe (ST) students saw a remarkable 44% growth, and ST girls experienced a substantial 65% rise, showcasing positive trends across marginalized communities.
Pradhan underscored the educational progress among Other Backward Classes (OBCs) and a notable 45% surge in female Muslim students in schools, attributing these advancements to governmental initiatives fostering increased student engagement.
Highlighting the impact of these initiatives, Pradhan emphasized a rising enthusiasm for learning among children. He expressed confidence in the New Education Policy’s ability to elevate India’s educational landscape significantly in the coming years.
Emphasizing the significance of languages in India’s cultural fabric, Pradhan reaffirmed the government’s commitment to enhancing Indian language education. He outlined the updated curriculum framework mandating students in classes 11 and 12 to study a minimum of two languages, including at least one Indian language. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) further mandated materials for teaching and learning 20 Indian languages in schools, as per a recent circular.
Pradhan’s address to the Rajya Sabha outlined a surge in educational participation and highlighted the government’s proactive measures to reinforce linguistic diversity and amplify access to quality education across diverse demographics in India.
According to Pradhan, The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has taken out a circular that materials for teaching and learning 20 Indian civil languages be made available in schools.
