National Education Day 2024: Honouring Maulana Abul Kalam Azad
Every year on November 11, India observes National Education Day to commemorate the birth anniversary of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, the first Education Minister of independent India. This day emphasizes the importance of education in shaping the nation’s future and serves as a reminder of Azad’s vision for an educated and empowered India. With a significant portion of India’s population under the age of 35, the importance of quality education and skill development has never been more critical.
Declared by the Government of India in 2008, National Education Day honours the monumental contributions of Maulana Abul Kalam Azad to India’s education system. Azad, born on November 11, 1888, was not only a prominent freedom fighter but also a visionary leader who saw education as the cornerstone of national progress and individual empowerment.
Azad’s tenure as Education Minister saw the establishment of several pivotal educational institutions. He played a vital role in founding:
For his visionary contributions, Azad was awarded the Bharat Ratna posthumously in 1992. National Education Day thus not only celebrates Azad’s contributions but also the broader significance of education as a fundamental right and a driving force for social and economic progress.
In alignment with Azad’s vision, the Government of India has launched several initiatives to foster quality education, equity, and holistic development. The key schemes aim to expand access to education, support skill development, and prepare the youth for the challenges of the 21st century.
Approved on September 7, 2022, the PM SHRI Schools scheme (Prime Minister Schools for Rising India) is a flagship program aimed at enhancing 14,500 schools nationwide. Aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, this scheme focuses on quality education, cognitive growth, and modern skills development for students. With a budget of ₹27,360 crore (central share ₹18,128 crore), PM SHRI aims to shape India’s educational landscape over the next five years (2022-2027).
Launched on April 1, 2021, Samagra Shiksha aligns with the NEP 2020, focusing on inclusive education for children from diverse backgrounds. It seeks to create an equitable classroom environment and enhance academic performance, covering the period until March 31, 2026.
In January 2024, PRERNA initiated its pilot phase in Vadnagar, Gujarat. This week-long residential program allows selected students from classes IX to XII to explore innovative learning, integrating India’s cultural heritage with modern technology. Each batch includes 20 students (10 boys and 10 girls) who experience hands-on, inspirational learning.
ULLAS, or the New India Literacy Programme (NILP), launched in FY 2022-27, aims to empower adults aged 15+ by enhancing their literacy. This program enables them to contribute more actively to society and aligns with the NEP 2020 goals of accessible and equitable literacy for all.
The NIPUN Bharat mission, launched on July 5, 2021, targets foundational literacy and numeracy by the end of Grade 3. This initiative is critical to ensure every child achieves basic reading and numeracy skills by 2026-27.
Vidya Pravesh introduces a three-month play-based school preparation module for children entering Grade I. Released on July 29, 2021, this initiative provides a welcoming environment to ease the transition and foster positive early learning experiences.
Launched by Prime Minister Modi on September 7, 2021, Vidyanjali encourages community involvement in school education through volunteerism and corporate social responsibility (CSR). This scheme supports quality education by inviting contributions from citizens and the private sector.
Introduced on September 5, 2017, DIKSHA is a national digital platform offering training and resources to teachers. Customizable by states and Teacher Education Institutes (TEIs), DIKSHA empowers educators to deliver high-quality education across India.
SWAYAM Plus, launched on February 27, 2024, introduces industry-relevant courses with an innovative credit recognition system. This program enhances employability by strengthening ties between higher education institutions and industry.
The NISHTHA program (National Initiative for School Heads’ and Teachers’ Holistic Advancement) was launched in August 2019 and transitioned to NISHTHA-Online in 2020. By 2021, NISHTHA 2.0 and 3.0 were introduced, focusing on secondary education and foundational literacy, respectively.
Established in 2015, the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) provides a transparent system for assessing higher education institutions, fostering competition and driving improvements across the sector.
The PM-Vidyalaxmi scheme supports meritorious students with education loans for quality higher education in India’s top 860 institutions. With a budget of ₹3,600 crore from 2024-31, this scheme will aid over 22 lakh students each year.
Reflecting its commitment to a robust educational framework, the Government of India has allocated ₹73,498 crore to the Department of School Education & Literacy in FY 2024-25. This represents a 19.56% increase from the previous fiscal year. Additionally, Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodaya Vidyalayas received the highest-ever allocations of ₹9,302 crore and ₹5,800 crore, respectively. For higher education, a budget of ₹47,619.77 crore was allocated, with ₹7,487.87 crore dedicated to specific schemes.
Approved on July 29, 2020, the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 aims to revamp India’s education system, promoting inclusivity, flexibility, and skill development. Key features include:
The NEP 2020 seeks to equip India’s youth with the knowledge and skills necessary for success in an evolving global landscape.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Why in News | National Education Day is observed on November 11 each year in India to honor Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, India’s first Education Minister, for his contributions to India’s educational development. The day emphasizes the importance of education in nation-building. |
| Key Figure | Maulana Abul Kalam Azad – A freedom fighter, scholar, and India’s first Education Minister. He established various educational institutions and bodies, including AICTE, UGC, IIT Kharagpur, and ICCR, to shape India’s education system. He was awarded the Bharat Ratna in 1992 for his contributions. |
| Significance of the Day | The day serves as a reminder of education’s role as a fundamental right and as a tool for personal and societal empowerment. It also highlights the need for quality education for youth to foster national progress, with 65% of India’s population under 35. |
| Government Initiatives | PM SHRI: Over 14,500 schools to be upgraded, reflecting NEP 2020 principles. Samagra Shiksha: Promotes quality, inclusive education for children. PRERNA: Experiential program for Class IX-XII students focusing on innovation. ULLAS: Literacy program for adults 15+. NIPUN Bharat: Ensures foundational literacy by Grade 3. Vidya Pravesh: Transition program for Grade-I students. |
| Digital and Skill-Based Programs | DIKSHA: Enhances teacher training through digital platforms. SWAYAM Plus: Offers credit-recognized courses for skill development. Vidyanjali: Encourages community involvement in education through CSR. NIRF Ranking: Transparent system for ranking higher education institutions. PM-Vidyalaxmi: Financial aid for meritorious students for higher education. |
| Policy and Legal Framework | NEP 2020: Comprehensive reform to make the education system more inclusive and forward-looking. Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009: Guarantees free and compulsory education for children aged 6-14 under Article 21-A. Constitutional Provisions: The 86th Amendment of the Constitution guarantees the Right to Education as a Fundamental Right. |
| Budget Allocations FY 2024-25 | Education sector received ₹73,498 crore, marking a 19.56% increase from the previous year. Key allocations include ₹9,302 crore for Kendriya Vidyalayas and ₹5,800 crore for Navodaya Vidyalayas. Additionally, the Department of Higher Education allocated ₹47,619.77 crore. |
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