The 64th Meeting of the Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE) was held under the Chairmanship of Union Human Resource Minister Shri Prakash Javadekar on 25th October, 2016 at New Delhi.
In his opening address the Union Minister of Human Resource Development emphasised that education is a national agenda which touches the lives of each and every individual. He also referred that in the past our country had a glorious contribution to the world both in terms of GDP and economic trade because of the world renowned educational institutions. He underscored the need to focus on improving learning outcomes and the quality of education.
The meeting was attended by the Union Ministers, Shri Rajiv Pratap Rudy, MoS (Independent Charge) Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Shri Vijay Goel, MoS (Independent Charge) Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Dr. Mahendra Nath Pandey and Shri Upendra Kushwaha, the Ministers of State for HRD, and Shri Amitabh Kant, CEO Niti Aayog.
The Union Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship pointed out that there is a challenge for integrating skills and education in such a manner that the educational infrastructure which has been already created can be optimally utilized for providing skill based education. There is a need for aligning the NSQF rationally so that skills acquired can enable pursuit of higher education. The Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports emphasised that Sports and Education must move in a synchronised manner as this will promote physical fitness of children.
The House deliberated on several aspects of different level of education and how efforts can be made to improve educational levels of the students. The Education Ministers of the States, CABE Members actively participated in the discussions. The report of the CABE Sub – Committee on Measures and suggestions to improve the infrastructure of Government schools was presented Hon’ble Education Minister of Punjab and Chairman of the Sub-Committee Shri Daljit Singh Cheema. The report of CABE Sub-Committee on Status of “No Detention Provision” under RTE Act, 2009 was presented by Prof. Vasudev Devnani, Education Minister of Rajasthan.
A number of decisions were taken at the meeting, in part flowing from the agenda, and in part stemming from concerns raised by the State Governments and experts. The following resolutions were adopted:-
- a) Right to Education was discussed with specific reference to untrained teachers and No Detention Policy. It was an issue of concern that learning outcomes are deteriorating. Therefore:
(i) It was agreed that learning outcomes should be codified and be made a part of rules of RTE.
(ii) It was also agreed that there has to be accountability of all stakeholders for improving learning outcomes.
(iii) It was further agreed that Central Government may bring in suitable amendment which will give States freedom to review “No Detention Policy.”
(iv) The task of completing the training of untrained teachers should vbe completed within the next 5 years.
- b) It was decided to constitute a Sub-Committee of the CABE, under the Chairmanship of Shri Kadiyam Srihari, Deputy CM and Education Minister of Telangana to look into the issues of girl’s education.
A brief presentation on improvement of learning outcomes, Rationalization of posting of Teachers in rural areas, National Achievement Survey (NAS), Compulsory Board examination in Class – X, Joyful learning, Anganwadis to be co-located with primary schools was made to highlight some of the issues and concerns in the education sector.
Education Ministers of 21 States, representatives of 28 States and Union Territories, Members of CABE, heads of autonomous organisations, Vice Chancellors of Universities, and Shri V.S. Oberoi, Secretary, Department of Higher Education and Member Secretary, CABE were present in the meeting along with senior officials of the Central and State Governments.