National Education Day 2024: Honouring Maulana Abul Kalam Azad (Prelims Facts)
Context
- Every year, on November 11, India celebrates National Education Day to mark the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the first Education Minister of independent India.
- This day serves as a tribute to Azad's significant contributions to the Indian education system and underscores the crucial role education plays in the development of the nation.
- It is also a reminder of the need for continued progress in shaping an educated, skilled, and empowered society, especially in a country where a large portion of the population is under the age of 35.
History and Significance of National Education Day
- In 2008, the Government of India declared November 11 as National Education Day to honour Maulana Abul Kalam Azad’s contributions to the educational landscape of the country.
- Azad, born in 1888, was not only a freedom fighter but also a visionary leader who believed in the transformative power of education.
- His tenure as the Education Minister from 1947 to 1958 was marked by pioneering initiatives that laid the foundation for modern education in India.
Azad’s Contributions to Indian Education
Maulana Azad's tenure as Education Minister saw the establishment of several key educational institutions and policies that continue to shape India's educational framework today. Some of his notable contributions include:
- All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE)
Azad helped establish AICTE to promote and coordinate technical education across India.
- University Grants Commission (UGC)
The UGC was set up under Azad’s leadership to regulate and fund higher education institutions in India, ensuring quality and standardization.
- Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Kharagpur
Azad played a pivotal role in the founding of IIT Kharagpur, which has since become one of the most prestigious technical institutes in India.
- Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR)
The ICCR was established to promote cultural exchanges and strengthen India’s global presence in the field of education and culture.
- Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR)
Azad’s vision also included supporting scientific research, which led to the formation of CSIR to foster the development of science and technology in India.
For these and many other contributions, Maulana Abul Kalam Azad was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1992, India's highest civilian honour.
Government Initiatives to Transform Education in India
In line with Azad’s vision of accessible and quality education for all, the Government of India has launched several significant programs aimed at improving education outcomes, fostering inclusivity, and promoting skill development. These initiatives reflect India’s commitment to nurturing an educated, employable, and innovative youth population.
PM SHRI Schools: A Vision for Quality Education
- Launched in 2022, the PM SHRI Schools scheme aims to upgrade 14,500 schools across India, providing modern infrastructure, quality education, and skill development aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
- The scheme has an allocated budget of ₹27,360 crore (central share ₹18,128 crore) for the 2022-2027 period.
Samagra Shiksha: Inclusive and Equitable Education
- This program, initiated in 2021, focuses on ensuring inclusive education for children from diverse backgrounds.
- Samagra Shiksha supports academic performance enhancement and aims to build an equitable educational environment for all students until 2026.
PRERNA Program: Experiential Learning through Heritage
- Launched in 2024, PRERNA is an innovative program in Vadnagar, Gujarat, blending experiential learning with India’s rich cultural heritage.
- It offers a hands-on, week-long experience for students in grades IX to XII.
ULLAS (Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram): Promoting Adult Literacy
- The New India Literacy Programme (NILP), launched in FY 2022-2027, empowers adults aged 15 and above with essential literacy skills, supporting India’s goal of inclusive education as per the NEP 2020.
NIPUN Bharat: Foundation for Early Literacy
- The NIPUN Bharat mission, launched in 2021, targets foundational literacy and numeracy for children by the end of Grade 3.
- It focuses on improving basic reading and numeracy skills to ensure that every child is school-ready by 2026-27.
Vidya Pravesh: School Preparation Module for Young Learners
- Vidya Pravesh is a play-based school preparation program for children entering Grade I.
- It helps them transition smoothly into formal education, ensuring a positive early learning experience.
Vidyanjali: Community Engagement in Schools
- Launched in 2021, Vidyanjali encourages citizens and the corporate sector to actively contribute to school education, supporting quality learning and community engagement in classrooms.
DIKSHA: A Platform for Teacher Training
- DIKSHA, launched in 2017, is a digital platform designed to enhance teacher training.
- It offers resources and professional development opportunities to educators across India, empowering them to deliver high-quality education.
SWAYAM Plus: Revolutionizing Higher Education
- SWAYAM Plus, launched in 2024, offers industry-relevant courses with a credit recognition system that links higher education with employability, helping students acquire practical skills.
NISHTHA: Professional Development for Teachers
- The NISHTHA program (launched in 2019) focuses on holistic professional development for school heads and teachers.
- It has evolved into several phases, including an online version, to improve educational quality nationwide.
NIRF Ranking: Promoting Quality in Higher Education
- The National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF), established in 2015, ranks higher education institutions based on parameters like teaching, research, and infrastructure, encouraging competition and improvement.
PM-Vidyalaxmi: Financial Assistance for Higher Education
- PM-Vidyalaxmi, launched in 2024, offers education loans to meritorious students pursuing higher education in India’s top institutions, with a ₹3,600 crore allocation from 2024-2031.
Investment in Education: Building a Brighter Future for India
- In the FY 2024-25 budget, the Government of India allocated ₹73,498 crore to the Department of School Education & Literacy, marking a 19.56% increase over the previous year.
- The allocation for Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodaya Vidyalayas reached ₹9,302 crore and ₹5,800 crore, respectively.
- Additionally, ₹47,619.77 crore was allocated for higher education, with special provisions for specific schemes.
NEP 2020: The Foundation for Transformative Education
The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, approved on July 29, 2020, seeks to overhaul India’s education system. The policy promotes multidisciplinary learning, skill development, foundational literacy, and numeracy. Key features include:
- Multidisciplinary Learning: Fostering a flexible, holistic curriculum.
- Foundational Literacy and Numeracy: Ensuring every child has basic literacy and numeracy skills by Grade 3.
- Vocational Training: Promoting skill-based education for enhanced employability.
The NEP 2020 aims to equip India’s youth with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in the global economy.
Conclusion
- National Education Day 2024 is not only a celebration of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad’s visionary leadership but also a reminder of the importance of education in nation-building.
- With significant investments in infrastructure, skill development, and inclusive education, India is moving towards a more educated and empowered future—one in which education serves as the foundation for social and economic progress.
