'We Should Give Mother Language Greater Attention': Dharmendra Pradhan Sets Reformist Tone At ABP Live SmartEd Conclave 2025
Pradhan also made a strong pitch for linguistic inclusivity, challenging the over-reliance on English in education.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan opened the ABP Live SmartEd Conclave 2025 with a clear and future-forward message: Indian education must evolve to match the aspirations of its youth and the demands of the modern economy. "Education must be outcome-focused. So that it contributes to job creation," Pradhan said, underlining the urgent need for reforms that prepare students for real-world challenges.
The event, being held on Monday and streamed live on ABP Live, brought together leading voices from education, policy, and technology to discuss how India can transform into a global education powerhouse. Organised as a platform for meaningful dialogue, the conclave aims to bridge the gap between classroom learning, career readiness, and cutting-edge innovation.
The Language Question: Inclusivity And Identity
Addressing one of the most contentious debates in Indian education, Pradhan tackled the language issue head-on. "We should stop relying on the English language. We should give mother language greater attention," he said, reaffirming the Government’s push for linguistic diversity in classrooms. He also emphasised the importance of multilingualism from an early stage: "From class one to class five, learn two languages. Your mother tongue should be one of the two languages, and you can select the other one."
He further clarified the National Education Policy’s language framework: "National Policy for Education offers the option of three languages. There are three languages spoken in the majority of Indian states. Three languages are taught to students even in Tamil Nadu. Every language is the national language of India."
This push for mother-tongue learning, he said, is not only about preserving cultural identity but also about improving learning outcomes and creating confident communicators.
History, Reimagined: Drawing 'New Lines'
The Union Minister also addressed the ongoing debate around history curriculum changes, particularly the exclusion of the Mughal period from NCERT textbooks. "The history of India is extensive. Untold stories that were left out are now included. In respect to our history, we are drawing a line," he explained, asserting that the revised syllabus seeks to highlight narratives long ignored in mainstream academic discourse.
In the same spirit of reform, Pradhan spoke of newly introduced projects in the education sector. "New Projects and Ideas Introduced in the Education Sector," he noted, hinting at an evolving academic ecosystem built to foster innovation, flexibility, and relevance.
He also defended the new model of dual board examinations, describing it as a student-centric reform aimed at reducing stress and offering multiple pathways for assessment.
Industry Leaders, Educators, And Policymakers Unite
Yash Mehta, CEO of ABP Education, set the stage with a powerful opening line: "We need to be independent, rather than dependent."
The day will see Delhi Education Minister Shri Ashish Sood honouring pioneers in the field and highlighting the capital’s efforts to create an inclusive and forward-thinking education system.
Minister of State for Education Shri Sukanta Majumdar will expand the dialogue further, speaking on the need to align India’s youth with the digital economy. His address will focus on skill-building, AI preparedness, and holistic development.
ABP Live SmartEd Conclave 2025 will also feature thought-provoking panel discussions on India’s bilingual advantage, the rise of EdTech, and the need to sync classroom instruction with real-world skills. Industry voices like Beas Dev Ralhan (Next Education), Anil Nagar (Adda247), Dr. Ritesh Malik (Innov8), and Dr. Samit Ray (Adamas University) will bring valuable insights to the table.
As India pushes to become a global leader in education, the ABP Live SmartEd Conclave 2025 is emerging as a crucial platform where ideas converge, reforms are celebrated, and the future is reimagined.
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