Karnataka's Higher Education Minister M C Sudhakar on Monday stated that the State Education Policy aims to protect the country's secular ethos while avoiding the infusion of ideological matters into the education system. Speaking at the "Asian Summit on Education and Skills," Sudhakar assured attendees that the upcoming policy will promote inclusivity and increase employment opportunities for students.
The Congress government convened a committee of experts earlier this month to develop the Karnataka State Education Policy. The committee, led by former UGC Chairman Professor Sukhdev Thorat, has been tasked with shaping the state's educational landscape.
In an interview with PTI, Minister Sudhakar elaborated on the policy formation process, stating, "We have an extensive committee formed for primary education as well as for secondary and higher education. So we have given a time limit until February 28, 2024, to submit the report. They are commencing their work, and the policy they deliver will be truly inclusive, preserving the secular values of our nation".
Sudhakar also emphasised the importance of preventing ideological intrusion into the education system. He said, "We cannot afford the education system to be penetrated with certain ideological issues that we are facing in politics right now. Our students and graduates should be free of all these issues".
The committee in charge of drafting the policy has been given specific guidelines. Minister Sudhakar expressed hope that the resulting policy would serve as a model for other states, saying, "Ultimately, our goal is to improve employability. Our primary goal is to increase job opportunities."
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah criticised the National Education Policy (NEP) in a budget speech delivered in July, claiming that it does not align with India's federal system and poses challenges to the country's constitutional and democratic foundations., PTI reported. Siddaramaiah announced that the Karnataka government would develop a new education policy that would be tailored to the state's distinct social, cultural, and economic milieu.
The upcoming policy aims to raise higher education standards in Karnataka, allowing youth to compete globally and access meaningful employment opportunities. Siddaramaiah argued against a uniform education system for a country as diverse as India, pointing out the country's many religions, languages, and cultures, according to the report.