Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has set an ambitious target for the state’s education system. During a review meeting on the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Adityanath directed officials to strive for a significant increase in the gross enrolment ratio (GER) in higher education institutions. The current GER stands at around 25 per cent, and the chief minister aims to elevate it to over 50 per cent within the next 10 years.
Adityanath emphasized the importance of providing quality, “saarvabhaumik” (universal) and employment-oriented education through the utilization of modern technology in higher education institutions. He acknowledged Uttar Pradesh’s leading role in implementing the NEP, citing the positive impact it has had on the state’s GER over the past three years.
To further enhance accessibility to higher education, the state has been establishing new universities, with the goal of achieving “one district-one university.” The establishment of these new institutions has already contributed to the improvement of the GER.
The chief minister highlighted the importance of entrepreneurship and directed officials to incorporate these subjects into the curriculum. Recognizing the significance of research and scholarship, Adityanath instructed the establishment of a research center dedicated to the great litterateur and thinker Rahul Sankrityayan at Maharaja Suheldev State University in Azamgarh. This center will serve as a platform for young scholars to study the life and works of Rahul Sankrityayan.
Adityanath also emphasized the importance of practical skills and work experience. He highlighted the “Mukhyamantri Shikshuta Protsaahan Yojana,” which provides apprenticeship opportunities for graduate and diploma holders in industrial organizations. This program has seen significant participation, with over 53,000 youngsters joining in the last financial year and over 11,000 registrations so far this year. He urged officials to maximize the program’s reach and ensure timely stipend payments to apprentices.
The chief minister also stressed the importance of a timely curriculum update, suggesting the use of engaging teaching methods and materials, particularly for younger children. He expressed satisfaction with the enrollment of 20.5 lakh new students in the current academic session and urged officials to make efforts to re-engage any dropout students.
Adityanath emphasized the importance of value-based and skill-based education, urging a shift in the examination model to reduce rote learning. He advocated for the adoption of local languages in the syllabus while also encouraging the learning of other languages, recognizing the benefits of multilingualism in both employability and personal development. He concluded by instructing officials to take necessary actions to implement these directives.
