The Ministry of Education celebrated the 4th anniversary of the implementation of the National Education Policy 2020 with Akhil Bhartiya Shiksha Samagam 2024 in New Delhi’s Manekshaw Centre Auditorium today. Minister of State for Education & Minister of State (IC), Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship Shri Jayant Chaudhary and Minister of State for Education & Development of North Eastern Region, Dr. Sukanta Majumdar were present at the event. Shri K. Sanjay Murthy, Secretary, Department of Higher Education; Shri Sanjay Kumar, Secretary, Department of School Education & Literacy; academicians, Vice Chancellors of Universities, many eminent personalities, esteemed guests, officials and students, also attended the event.

In a significant stride towards a unified educational framework, a panel discussion was held that focused on the "Equivalence of Curriculum and Assessment across all School Boards", bringing together distinguished educators, policymakers, and stakeholders to deliberate on the critical issue of standardizing educational standards across India's diverse school boards. This panel discussion furthered the deliberations on policy recommendations and other critical aspects of educational equivalence from a two-day conference held at PARAKH (Performance Assessment, Review and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development), NCERT, on 25-26 July.

The Panel Discussion was attended by Shri Sanjay Kumar, Secretary, Department of School Education & Literacy (DoSEL); Shri Anandrao V. Patil, Additional Secretary, DoSEL; Prof. Dinesh Prasad Saklani, Director, NCERT; and Prof. Indrani Bhaduri, CEO and Head, PARAKH. These discussions laid the groundwork for the panel event, highlighting the collaborative spirit and commitment to reform among various stakeholders.

The event commenced with opening remarks by Shri Anandrao V. Patil, who introduced the program and provided an overview of the event’s ambitious goals. He emphasized the importance of creating a cohesive educational environment where every student, no matter where they study, has access to the same opportunities and resources.

Ms. Asano Sekhose, Chairperson, Nagaland Board of School Education, explored the establishment of academic equivalence among diverse education boards. She addressed both challenges and opportunities and highlighted the need for inclusivity and respect for regional diversities. To address variations, PARAKH's efforts in studying and adopting best practices from various Boards were highlighted as essential steps towards achieving academic equivalence.

Insights from international practices were shared by Dr. Jonas Bertling, Program Lead, ETS, Princeton, US, showcasing how other countries have successfully implemented equivalence in education. The emphasis was on adopting best practices from around the world to enhance the Indian education system's global competitiveness but not forgetting the Indian roots and value systems. He categorically stated that equivalence is about finding common denominators rather than making everyone the same and there is no single pathway to achieving equivalence, acknowledging that different contexts may require different approaches.

Dr. V.P. Yadav, Chairman, Haryana Board of School Education, highlighted the use of digital platforms for the assessment of answer scripts and how it was a critical step towards achieving equivalence. Mr. Yadav eloquently highlighted the transformative role of technology in education, showcasing Haryana's pioneering efforts in integrating digital platforms for the assessment of answer scripts. He stressed the integration of technology to ensure consistency and fairness in educational assessments.

Shri Rahul Singh, Chairperson, CBSE, revealed that achieving equivalence in education requires a comprehensive approach involving policy alignment and advocacy. Insightful overview of the three dimensions crucial to establishing equivalence: administration, curriculum, and assessment. He emphasized their interconnectedness and also highlighted its significance, he said.

The event also had a dynamic Q&A session, moderated by Shri Anandrao V. Patil, where the audience engaged with the panellists, delving deeper into the topics discussed. The session reinforced the commitment to turning these ideas into actionable policies, marking the beginning of a significant journey towards educational reform.

Shri Sanjay Kumar, Secretary, DoSEL, MoE urged all Boards to collaborate and make concerted efforts for the betterment of students, emphasizing the collective responsibility towards this goal. He stressed the requirement of equivalence in curriculum and assessment across all the boards in India. He assured all support to catalyse the same.

About PARAKH:

PARAKH was set up in NCERT as an independent constituent unit via Notification No. 1-4/2012-EC/ 101- 164 of NCERT dated 8th Feb 2023. It is dedicated to enhancing the quality of education in India through competency-based assessment, achievement surveys, and the development of holistic progress cards. PARAKH’s mission is to create a more equitable and effective education system that fosters holistic development and prepares students for future challenges.

Akhil Bhartiya Shiksha Samagam (ABSS)

The first event of ABSS organized in July 2022 at Varanasi was inaugurated by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi. It was organised with the objectives to create scope for all stakeholders to come together for effective, smooth, and timely implementation of the NEP 2020; establish strong linkages among various higher educational institutions; and discuss challenges being faced by HEIs and articulate solutions.

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