HRD ministry may replace TSR Subramanian-led committee for new education policy

NEW DELHI: The Union Human Resource Development (HRD) Ministry plans to constitute a new committee for formulating the new education policy and it is likely to be headed by an educationist, a senior ministry official said — an indication that the TSR Subramanian-led committee, constituted to propose and draft the new education policy by former HRD minister Smriti Irani, would be

replaced.The senior official indicated that the decision on formation of the new committee will be announced after November 10. The new committee will prepare the final draft of the new education policy. HRD minister Prakash Javadekar has invited MPs for a daylong workshop on November 10 to get their views on the upcoming new education policy. State governments and ministries have already sent their inputs. Official sources said the new committee would look into all the views and suggestions along with the report by the Subramanian led-committee, entrusted with preparing the new education policy.

TSR Subramanian is a former cabinet secretary and a 1961 UP cadre IAS officer. The committee submitted its report to the government in May suggesting measures that the country must take to improve the sector that caters to over 300 million students. Sources pointed out that the Narendra Modi government wants to go ahead with the detention policy in schools, which is being viewed as one of the reasons for deteriorating levels of education standards.

However, the Subramanian committee has suggested that the no detention policy be continued for children till the completion of Class V and a child turns 11. At the upper primary level, the system of detention must be restored. These are subject to the provision of remedial coaching and at least two extra chances should be offered to prove his or her capability to move to a higher class, said the Subramanian committee. Javadekar has indicated that the new education policy will be implemented by next year.

He will chair a meeting of Centre Advisory Board on Education on Tuesday, in which State education ministers will take part. The CABE will discuss the new education policy and review the no-detention policy in schools. The CABE subcommittee too has recommended that the no-detention policy be done away with.