States key in policy formulation and implementation in education sector, says Sibal

New Delhi, Feb 22 (ANI): Union Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal here on Wednesday said that state governments play a central role in policy formulation and implementation in education sector.

Sibal, who was addressing the conference of state education ministers, said: "Recognizing the centrality of State governments both in policy formulation and effective implementation of them. I have made it point and spared no efforts in conducting consultations with you regularly since 2009. Education being a concurrent subject, continuous dialogue with the states becomes crucial in a federating structure and I personally feel that your support has been of immense importance for the development of this sector."

"These interactions have been extremely useful in many of our initiatives and policies, ranging from the Right to Education, continuous and comprehensive evaluation, reforms in higher education," he added.

Sibal appreciated the suggestions made by the Committee of State Education Ministers, headed by Bihar Education Minister P.K. Shahi, constituted in January 2011, to suggest ways and means for strengthening vocational education in the country at all levels and to develop a broad consensus on the contours of the National Vocational Education Qualifications Framework (NVEQF).

He lauded the achievements made in the higher education sector with the establishment of several new institutions - Central universities, IITs, IIMs, NITs, SPAs, IISERS, polytechnics and model degree colleges.

Highlighting some of the initiatives undertaken to achieve inclusive education, Sibal informed the ministers about implementation of recommendations of the Oversight Committee for reservation of seats for OBCs, construction of girls' hostels, providing scholarships and fellowships for socially and economically disadvantaged sections.he agenda of the conference include introduction of a common eligibility examination for higher education in Science and Engineering, the National Vocational Educational Qualification Framework (NVEQF), proposed new Community Colleges in the XII Plan, curricular renewal for equitable quality of elementary education and grievances redressal under the RTE Act.

The ministers are also expected to discuss other pertinent issues regarding implementation of the RTE Act and Saakshar Bharat, improving the learning outcomes at different educational levels, vocationalisation of education and skill building, quality infusion in secondary schooling. (ANI)