NCERT to be Recognised as ‘Institute of National Importance’

According to the Human Resource Development Ministry, officials, National Council of Educational Research and Training, NCERT, might be getting the status of an ‘Insititute of National Importance’ by the government of India to enhance the teaching methods and educational practices at school levels.

The sources claim that the discussion with law consultants and ministers has already taken place and now the proposal is to be presented to the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi’s, office for the final nod. If the PM approves the proposal, it would be sent to cabinet for a final settlement.

NCERT was initially set up in 1961 as a unique institution that concentrates on publishing the school textbooks, allover the country. Since then, it has been the soul of education reforms at the school level in India. In all these years, NCERT has come up with various policies like the National Curriculum Framework and National Policy of Education to uplift the condition of School Education in the country.

Also Read: NCERT to establish Regional Institutes at AP

Due to the lack of power to grant degrees, NCERT has to work in coordination with the state and centre education policymakers to bring in changes in the systems. To provide some support to the NCERT, HRD ministry officials started working towards a bill that would give a status of ‘Institute of National Importance’ to NCERT.

NCERT INI Status Benefits

Following are the ways in which NCERT would be benefiting after getting the INI status by the government:

• Easy application of new trends at the school level
• Could hold own exams to grant degrees and certificates to students.
• Could conduct M.Phil and PhD courses.
• Could easily suffice the needs of the state and centre's education gaps.

After observing the potential of NCERT, HRD Ministry formed a committee headed by Professor Govardhan Mehta in early 2010 that recommended NCERT to be awarded the INI status. As of now, institutes like Indian Institute of Technology, National Institute of Technology, National Institute of Design, All India Institute of Medical Sciences, etc, enjoy the status of INI.

Also Read:Education Systems are to be Reformed says, CM Yogi

It is a great opportunity for the NCERT to evolve from being a society to the deemed institution that could function without the support of policymakers. If the proposal gets accepted by the PM’s office and cabinet, NCERT would accelerate the implementation of Education Reforms at school levels. For more updates related to Education, check CollegeDekho.