Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’
The global recognition of ‘good governance’ as a concept emerged from the 1990s. However, this concept has never been new to India. Our century-old scriptures and great visionaries of the past have always envisioned Bharat as an epitome of good governance. Bhagavad Gita contains a lot of references to good governance, leadership, dutifulness and self-realization which have also been re-interpreted in the context of modern India. Kautaliya, in his ancient Indian political treatise – Arthashastra, highlighted that the welfare of his people was the paramount duty of a King. Even Mahatma Gandhi Ji’s reference to ‘su-raj’ also essentially meant good governance. Guided by such wisdom, we have been able to ensure the smooth functioning of our democratic institutions and a vibrant economy.
The modern notion of ‘good governance’ in India has been augmented by the visionary leader, our former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, who dedicated his life to the greater good of the people. “Satya Ka Sangarsh Satta Sey -Nyaya Lartha Nirankushta Sey” (Truth struggles against the power whereas justice fights with the autocracy) has been the motto of the outstanding democrat throughout his lifetime. He had demonstrated to the world the significance of good governance —which prevails on the fundamentals of truth, power and courage to fight against all odds for the welfare of the people. Vajpayee ji firmly believed that in order to empower the nation, it is essential to empower its citizens first and, in this regard, he channelized his efforts to develop the education landscape in India.
It was his solemn resolve to reform the education sector that Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) was launched in November 2000 to support and develop upon primary and elementary education projects. It aimed at ensuring five years of primary education for all the children in the age-group of 6-14 years by 2007 and eight years of schooling by the year 2010. The approach of the SSA focussed on community ownership and the village education plans, as proposed in consultation with the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), formed the basis of district elementary education plans. A special focus was laid on the inclusivity of all out-of-school children in the field of Education. An additional focus has been on ameliorating the infrastructure of regular schools and strategizing to mainstream children who have been left out of the schools due to a multitude of reasons. Since its implementation, SSA had been a spectacular success. As a result of its implementations, the number of out-of-school children declined from 320 lakhs in 2001 to mere 95 lakhs in 2005. During 2005-06, SSA also recorded significant progress in terms of improved infrastructure of schools, the addition of new schools & classrooms and the addition of teachers.
Vajpayee Ji’s efforts have been earmarked as the most essential and successful step towards Universal Secondary Education in the history of Indian Education System. SSA achievement has called for an advance stage of planning and a paradigm shift in the approach to the development of school education from input-based to outcome-based central sector interventions as recommended by NITI AYOG in the report India: Three-Year Action Agenda, 2017/18 to 2019/20. Thereby, under the esteemed leadership of Modi Ji, an Integrated Scheme on School Education, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan was formalized which presents the ‘school’ as a continuous process from pre-school, primary, upper primary, secondary to Senior Secondary levels; incorporating the three former schemes of Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) and Teacher Education (TE). Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan envisions on provision of quality, accessible yet affordable education to ‘All’. Multiple efforts have been undertaken to strengthening the ECCE, in-service training of teachers and principals, improvement of learning outcomes, the conduct of achievement, development of conducive learning environment, grants for the library, sports and physical activities, support for Rashtriya Avishkar Abhiyan, ICT and digital initiatives, School Leadership development programme, remedial teaching, support for Padhe Bharat Badhe Bharat, etc.
It is a noteworthy fact that when good governance is guaranteed to the citizens, they can pursue their endeavours with enhanced expectations and contribute to the process of nation-building in greater potential. The reforms in the education sector have been the backbone of good governance in India. It is through the power of Education that the citizens of India can become empowered. Vajpayee Ji’s legacy is surely going to inspire the future generations of our leaders, and I strongly believe that under the astute leadership of our Honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, the new National Education Policy, will take his legacy to even greater heights. “Citizen-First” has been my guiding principle, and I will always strive to bring the government closer to our citizens so that they become active participants in the governance process.”
(The writer is Union Education Minister, Government of India)
Friday, 25 December 2020 | Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’
