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Experts urge independent body for school education amid RSS panel row
On the AI With Sanket show, former NIOS chairperson Prof. CV Sharma and political analyst Nikhil Jain argued that school education must be removed from direct government control. They called for an…
On the AI With Sanket show, former NIOS chairperson Prof. CV Sharma and political analyst Nikhil Jain argued that school education must be removed from direct government control. They called for an independent statutory regulatory body to oversee curriculum development and school education, similar to the UGC for higher education.
Speaking amid controversy over four RSS-linked members on NCERT's textbook development team, the experts said the focus should be on academic qualifications rather than ideological affiliations. They cautioned that appointments based on political proximity risk undermining trust and fueling concerns over political influence on textbooks.
Prof. Sharma noted that curriculum can never be neutral, as choices reflect the values of those involved. He questioned the absence of pedagogy experts and practising teachers on the committee, and criticised the practice of ministers chairing bodies like NCERT's council.
Indian Opinion Analysis
The demand for an independent school education regulator reflects a long-running debate in India, where bodies like NCERT and CBSE operate under direct ministry control. This contrasts with higher education's UGC, which has statutory autonomy. The key question is whether an independent body would reduce political interference or create new accountability gaps. Watch for any government response or parliamentary discussion on the National Curriculum Framework revision process, which will determine how these recommendations are handled.
Source: thefederal.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
