Question : NEW EDUCATION POLICY

(a) whether there has been a rising demand from several quarters for a sweeping revamp in the educational system of the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof and the deliberations held in this regard recently;

(c) whether the Government is also envisaging to bring out a New Education Policy in the near future;

(d) if so, the progress made in this respect so far;

(e) whether the Government is considering to celebrate Matrubhasha Diwas on 21 February 2015 in all the CBSE schools and if so, the details thereof; and

(f) the modalities worked out by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (PROF. (DR.) RAM SHANKAR KATHERIA)

(a) to (d) The National Policy on Education 1986, as amended in 1992, has been the guiding document for the policies of the Central Government in the education sector. In the last twenty years, the education scenario has seen substantive changes with many new challenges. The Government, therefore, proposes to formulate a New Education Policy aimed at meeting the existing and emerging challenges, in consultation with all the stakeholders. Various suggestions to bring in reforms in the existing education system are being received. These have been kept for consideration as and when the education policy is revised.

(e) & (f) The Curriculum Committee of the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has decided to direct all the schools affiliated to CBSE to keep one week for the regional language /languages of the State in which the school is situated. In view of the declaration by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), schools may also use this week to celebrate International Mother Tongue Day (Matrubhasha Diwas) on 21 February 2015. In addition to the above, the Board has been organizing Expression Series in 22 languages of the Eight Schedule of the Constitution of India to promote mother tongues of students.