In a significant development, the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) has been granted ‘Deemed University’ status by the Government of India. This announcement was made by the Union Education Minister, Dharmendra Pradhan, during the 63rd foundation day celebration of NCERT.
NCERT is a pivotal organization responsible for various activities and programs related to school education in India. Its scope includes educational research, innovation, curriculum development, and the creation of teaching-learning materials. With the grant of ‘Deemed University’ status, NCERT will have the authority to offer graduate, postgraduate, and doctoral degrees.
The process of bestowing ‘Deemed University’ status involves the Central government, acting on the recommendation of the University Grants Commission (UGC), recognizing an Institution of Higher Education as an Institution ‘Deemed-to-be-university’ when it operates at an exceptionally high standard in a specific area of study. This recognition provides academic status and privileges similar to those of a traditional university.
During the event, Pradhan also mentioned the amalgamation of Bal Bhavans and Bal Vatika with NCERT to provide comprehensive education to children.
Drawing parallels between the Chandrayaan-3 mission and the National Education Policy (NEP), Pradhan expressed confidence in the success of the new education policy. He noted that the success of Chandrayaan-3 was linked to NCERT, where the idea for such projects originated. He likened the NEP to Chandrayaan-3 and emphasized its impending success.
Additionally, NCERT has recently established a committee responsible for shaping the curriculum and textbooks for classes 3 to 12. This initiative aims to align the curriculum with the National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE), as part of the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
Overall, the granting of ‘Deemed University’ status to NCERT represents a significant milestone in the realm of education in India, allowing the organization to expand its educational offerings and further contribute to the development of the country’s education system.
