Govt to accept suggestions on education policy till August 15

New Delhi: Government on Thursday said suggestions on the draft national education policy will now be accepted till August 15 against the earlier stipulated date of July 31.

Asking members in Rajya Sabha and Lok Sabha to make their suggestions on the proposed policy to make it comprehensive, HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar said "we need your suggestions and I appeal to all to give them. We can extend the date (for suggestions) to August 15 because we want this to be a national mission in a way."

Suggestions were invited from all on it till July 31, he told the Upper House during Question Hour, "we want that all MPs should also make their suggestions on the draft policy and we would be ready to accept them till August 15 now."

He said he would provide a copy of the draft education policy to all MPs by tomorrow and "we your suggestions are welcome on it, which we would accept till August 15".

In the Lok Sabha while replying to a discussion on a Bill, he said, "by Monday, you will receive the salient draft points and till August 15 all members can submit their suggestions."

To a question on whether the new policy proposes morning prayers, he denied so saying, "there is no such proposal".

Javadekar said education was an issue that concerned everyone and should be made a national mission and that is why government has come out with a draft education policy and suggestions on it will now be accepted till August 15.

"The last education policy was made in 1986 and implemented in 1992. That is why there is need for a good policy that would take the country forward. We have come out with the draft education policy after holding several rounds of discussions across the country.

"Suggestions were invited from all on it till July 31, but we want that all MPs should also make their suggestions on the draft policy and we would be ready to accept them till August 15," he said.

To a question on whether the new policy would encroach upon states' rights, he said, "It is not taking away powers of states. Rather we are working with them as partners. The attempt is to make the education better and improve its quality."

Replying to members' concerns on the new policy affecting missionary schools, he said "any institution working with rules need not worry at all. We will appreciate the good role played by such institutions."

Javadekar, however, preffered not to reply to a specific query on "saffronisation" of education, which was made by some Congress and Left members in the presence of the Prime Minister.