Views of all sections important for education policy: Javadekar

HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar on Tuesday said that views of all ideological sections were needed for the formulation of a New Education Policy (NEP) even as he emphasised on encouraging research and innovation for sustainable development.

He was speaking at an event organised by the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) linked body Bharatiya Shikshan Mandal (BSM) and pro-BJP think tank Bharat Niti here on issues related to NEP, where several speakers pitched for encouraging Sanskrit.

The minister shared his vision that education should be accessible, affordable, high quality and encouraging research and innovation. “We need views from all ideologies. We need each and every suggestion because I believe education is a national mission to take the country ahead,” Javadekar said.

He said there was even speculation even over his attending the event and there were news reports about it. He, however, added that in a democracy different views can exist. “I was invited so I came, if others invite me I will also go there,” he said.

He added that what we need was good education, which could provide a strong foundation for life, adding that “this is not at all a BJP-Congress issue.” 

His remarks come in the backdrop of the various allegations of saffronisation that have been hurled against the Centre by rival parties ever since the BJP-led government come to power. BJP general secretary Muralidhar Rao, Mukul Kanitkar of BSM and former NCERT Director JS Rajput stressed on reviving Sanskrit and spoke on encouraging regional languages, getting out of “colonial hangover” and ensuring that India becomes a ‘Vishwa Guru’ (World leader).