Govt likely to publish first draft of national education policy by December: Smriti Irani

Agartala: Union Human Resource Development Minister Smriti Irani has said that the first draft of the National Education Policy (NEP) is likely to be announced by December. Talking to media in Agartala on Friday, Irani said that for the first time, a collaborative effort has been taken from the grass root level to formulate the national education policy.

Irani said that the government is talking to teachers, students, district magistrates and other sections of the society in this regard. She was presiding over the North East Zonal Consultative Meeting in Agartala with education ministers and education secretaries and other officials of the region.

During her visit to National Institute of Technology (NIT), Agartala, Irani said a special meeting of the NITs of the North East would be convened soon to discuss their problems and opportunities for improvements.

"I am extremely positive with the feedback I have received that even at the district level. I see engagement of collectors and district magistrates on the issue with regard to education and I am hopeful that we shall come out with our first draft in the month of December," said Irani.

She added, "For the first time in the history of Independent India the National Education Policy is being formulated with the collaboration and contribution of not only of states but also citizen's at large, educational institutions, educational leaders, academicians, professors, teachers and students. Across the nation we are holding regional deliberations, for the Northeast zone we hold today at Agartala.

The meeting was held at the Pragnya Bhavan, where Secretary (Higher Education) VS Oberoi and S.C Khuntia, Secretary (School Education) of Ministry of HRD, education ministers of Tripura, Manipur, Mizoram and senior officials of education departments of northeastern states attended the meeting.