New Delhi: The highest policy making body of the education sector in India, the Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE), has not met for almost one and a half years as the human resource development ministry is seemingly shying away from criticism by the Opposition over the proposed draft National Education Policy (NEP).
The next meeting of the CABE is expected to be a controversial and explosive one as state governments, headed by non NDA parties, are expected to oppose several provisions of the draft NEP.
Sources stated that the delay in holding of the annual meeting of the CABE continues as the government tries to avoid stoking any controversy regarding the proposed National Education Policy.
The cautious approach of the government is being attributed to the fact that the ministry was embroidered in a number of controversies during its last tenure. In fact, the view in the BJP and its ideological parent, the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, is to avoid controversies at all costs and push for the smooth implementation of the NEP, sources added.
The new HRD minister, Ramesh Pokhariyal Nishank, has apparently been briefed on the holding of the crucial meet, however, still no decision has been taken on the scheduled dates for the important meet. Nishank, is understood to be maintaining a safe distance from any controversy as he tries to learn the ropes in the important ministry. Education being a state subject and representatives from all states part of the CABE, fireworks can definitely be expected at its next meeting, sources added.
Sources stated that the CABE, the highest decision making body, is mandated to meet at least once each year. Ever since the 65th meeting of the CABE on January 16, 2018 there has been no meeting of the education body.
Sources said ideally there should be a meeting of the CABE witin 12 months of the last scheduled date of such a meet. However, this time around the delay has been for over an year and a half. The Union HRD minister is the chaiman of the CABE, with education ministers, eminent educationists, academics, industrialists also part of the forum.
It is understood that despite a time bound need to hold the Cabe’s 66th meeting the government is not seemingly in a haste on finalising the dates as it wants to avoid controversies related to the proposed draft NEP. The central government is fearful that any controversy or a concerted attack by the opposition parties on the draft NEP could very well spell doom to the much awaited revamp of the education sector in the country. The 65th meeting of the CABE, held in January last year, had highlighted the need for reform in the education sector.
