After the resignation of Dharmendra Pradhan, Prahlad Joshi took additional charge of the Education Ministry. Know what are the big challenges facing them.
Pralhad Joshi New Education Minister: After prolonged protests by the Cockroach Janata Party (CJP), Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan resigned from his post on Saturday, July 25. Soon after his resignation, the Central Government handed over the additional charge of the Education Ministry to Pralhad Joshi. After getting the new responsibility, Prahlad Joshi first held a review meeting related to the ministry on Sunday. However, along with the Education Ministry, he will also continue to handle the responsibilities of his existing ministries. In such a situation, they will face many important challenges, which will impact the country’s education system and millions of students.
1. Reform of NTA and examination system is the biggest challenge
The first and biggest responsibility before Prahlad Joshi will be to improve the functioning of the National Testing Agency (NTA). Following recent controversies, questions have been raised about the credibility of the examination system. In such a situation, it will be necessary to make the functioning of the agency more strong and transparent. Apart from this, they will also be faced with the challenge of implementing stronger security arrangements, better monitoring and administrative reforms to prevent incidents like paper leaks. Besides, ensuring fair and transparent conduct of national level examinations like NEET will also be among his priorities.
2. Regaining the trust of students
In recent times, there has been a lack of trust between students and parents regarding the examination system. The biggest challenge for Prahlad Joshi, who is assuming the new responsibility after the protests across the country, will be to re-establish the confidence of the students. For this, they will have to take concrete steps towards making the examination process safe, fair and reliable.
3. Effective implementation of the New Education Policy (NEP 2020)
Prahlad Joshi will also have to maintain the pace of implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP 2020). His major responsibilities will include effectively implementing various provisions of the policy on the ground in collaboration with states, universities and other educational institutions. For this, better coordination between the Center and the states will also be necessary.
4. Reforms in CBSE, NCERT and education administration
Curriculum and administrative reforms are also important issues facing the Education Ministry. Prahlad Joshi will have to work on necessary changes in the syllabus of CBSE and NCERT as per the time. It will also be his responsibility to further strengthen the administrative structure of the ministry and carry forward the long pending reforms.
5. Balancing between the responsibilities of multiple ministries
Pralhad Joshi is already holding the charge of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and New and Renewable Energy. Now after getting the additional charge of the Education Ministry, the biggest administrative challenge before him will be to maintain a balance between the work of all these ministries, so that the work of any department is not affected.
Who is Prahlad Joshi?
Prahlad Joshi is an MP from Dharwad Lok Sabha constituency of Karnataka and a senior minister in the Central Government. Presently he is serving as the Minister of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution and New and Renewable Energy. Before this, he had also held the responsibility of Coal, Mines and Parliamentary Affairs Minister.