The draft education policy released by the union human resource development ministry last week has been approved by the Bharatiya Shikshan Mandal (BSM), an offshoot of the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) that was at the forefront of pushing the previous Narendra Modi government to draft a new policy. The BSM, however, wants the government to ensure that academics and not bureaucrats are in charge in key positions in the education sector.
It has cited the example of the Indian Space Research Organisation (Isro) that is headed by a scientist. “Just as Isro is headed by scientists, education too needs to be free from the clutches of bureaucracy. Teachers should be encouraged to become administrators and vice-chancellors should be secretaries in the ministry,” BSM’s organising secretary Mukul Kanitkar said.
The BSM has welcomed the suggestion in the draft policy – drawn up by the K Kasturirangan committee — to set up an apex body for education, Rashtriya Shiksha Aayog (RSA), and to promote Indian languages.