In a momentous stride towards redefining the educational paradigm in India, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced on September 1 that the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has been bestowed with the esteemed status of a deemed university. This landmark declaration occurred during a grand event commemorating the 63rd foundation day of NCERT, held in the national capital.
The decision to elevate NCERT to a deemed university status signifies a watershed moment in the progression of educational institutions across the country. It stands as a testament to the outstanding contributions that NCERT has made to the field of education and reaffirms its unwavering commitment to excellence.
One of the key highlights of Minister Pradhan’s announcement was the call for the integration of Bal Bhavans and Bal Vatika with NCERT. This visionary move aims to provide a holistic and comprehensive educational experience to children, focusing on nurturing their all-around development.
Established in 1961 under the Society Act, NCERT has played a pivotal role in shaping the educational landscape of India. Over the years, it has consistently offered valuable assistance and guidance to the government in matters pertaining to school education. The institution’s relentless dedication to maintaining high standards in education has now culminated in the prestigious status of a deemed university.
With this newfound status, NCERT is poised to broaden its educational horizons significantly. It will have the authority to confer graduate, postgraduate, and doctoral degrees, furthering its potential to contribute to the nation’s educational growth.
During the celebratory event, Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated three state-of-the-art laboratories, including one dedicated to virtual reality education and another focused on teacher training. These cutting-edge labs signify NCERT’s commitment to harnessing advanced technologies and innovative pedagogical approaches to enhance the quality of education in India.
Minister Pradhan drew a parallel between the National Education Policy (NEP) and the Chandrayaan-3 mission, expressing his confidence that the NEP would be as successful as the recent ISRO project. He acknowledged that NCERT plays a pivotal role in incubating ideas for groundbreaking initiatives, underscoring the institution’s significance in shaping the future of education in the country.
Notably, NCERT has also recently constituted a committee tasked with shaping the curriculum and textbooks for classes 3 to 12. The committee’s primary objective is to align the curriculum with the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE), a critical component of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. This alignment ensures that education remains relevant, dynamic, and responsive to the evolving needs of students and society, reinforcing India’s commitment to fostering a brighter future through education.