Question : New Education Policy

(a) whether the Government has any proposal to set up a Committee for drafting of a New Education Policy and if so, the details thereof;

(b) the time by which the said Committee is likely to be constituted and submit its report;

(c) whether the Government propose to invite suggestions from the State Governments with regard to Education Policy and if so, the time by which the suggestions are likely to be received;

(d) whether the schools are to be made non-profit under the new Education Policy and if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the details of the number of schools and colleges earning profits for imparting education; and

(f) whether the standard of education being maintained by the schools and colleges and if so, the details thereof?

MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

(SMT. SMRITI ZUBIN IRANI)

(a) and (b): The Government of India has constituted a Committee for Evolution of the New Education Policy (NEP). The Committee will consist of Shri T.S.R. Subramanian, Former Cabinet Secretary as the Chairman and Smt. Shailaja Chandra, former Chief Secretary, NCT of Delhi, Shri Sevaram Sharma, former Home Secretary, NCT of Delhi, Shri Sudhir Mankad, former Chief Secretary, Gujarat & Prof. J.S. Rajput, former Director, NCERT as members of the Committee. The National University of Educational Planning and Administration (NUEPA) will provide administrative assistance and support to the Committee. The Committee will examine the outcome documents, recommendations and suggestions received and formulate a Draft National Education Policy as well as a Framework for Action (FFA). The Committee will submit its report by 31st December, 2015. The Draft Report will be placed for consideration of CABE and thereafter will be submitted to the Cabinet. Only after all the stages the Education Policy will be finalised.

(c): A consultation meeting was held on 21.03.2015 under the Chairpersonship of Union Minister of Human Resource Development (HRD) with the State Education Ministers and State Education Secretaries to discuss the consultative process on formulation of New Education Policy (NEP) mainly focusing on the grass root consultative process which are to take place from village and move upwards to the Block, District and State levels. New Education Policy was also discussed as an agenda item in Central Advisory Board on Education (CABE),the highest advisory body on education, in its the 63rd Meeting held on 19th August,2015.

Union Minister for HRD has also held six Zonal Meetings on NEP with the State Education Ministers, State Education Secretaries and other state officials.

(d) to (f): So far as the policy of the Govt. of India is concerned, education is a ‘not for profit’ activity and as such education institutions are prohibited from earning profit. The present policy is against commercialization of education. Several pronouncements of the Supreme Court of India have also cautioned against commercialization of education.

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