Education Minister of Delhi, Manish Sisodia proposed that the name of the Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) should be changed to the Ministry of Education. He also requested the central government to increase the budget for education. He made these proposals in the CABE meeting which was held on October 25, 2016. HRD Minister Prakash Javadekar chaired the meet, and it was attended by the education ministers of all the states.
Also read: - HRD Ministry to Constitute a New Committee for New Education Policy
Sisodia expressed his concern over the fact that there is no Union Education Ministry in our nation. He also proposed that Right to Education (RTE) to children must be extended to those who do not fall under 6 to 14 years age bracket. He explained that RTE is a fundamental right which enables the children between 6 to 14 years to access free and compulsory education.
Sisodia stressed on increasing focus on early childhood learning. He recommended the government to set up world class universities for the training of teachers.
He reiterated his demand for complete scrapping of ‘No Detention’ policy and explained that according to this policy the children would be automatically promoted till Class VIII though they do not secure a passing grade in their examination. Hence, it would deteriorate the education standards. So, ‘No Detention’ policy must be reviewed, and examinations must be conducted in Class V & VIII for the same.
Issues related to the improvement of infrastructure in government schools, rationalizing teachers, co-location of Anganwadi near primary schools, enhancing skill and technical education and others were also discussed in the CABE meeting.