During a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, it was decided to establish a committee to formulate the State’s education policy, while retaining the existing education system for the time being. Since education is a state subject, the central government cannot formulate an education policy.
The National Education Policy has been formulated without consulting the state governments. Education policy cannot be imposed by the central government. The Chief Minister expressed the view that the current imposition is a conspiracy.
A uniform education system cannot be established in a country like India with a multicultural and pluralistic society. Therefore, the Chief Minister stated that a committee will be formed to develop a new education policy while maintaining the existing education system. Other BJP-ruled states are also reluctant to adopt the National Education Policy. The states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu have conveyed to the Central Government their decision not to implement the policy. The Chief Minister was confident that the state cannot be treated unfairly, as centrally funded schemes are applicable to all states.
The Chief Minister expressed concern that the NEP will have an impact on marginalized groups such as the poor, scheduled castes, tribals, backward, and rural communities. Even if certificates are awarded annually in higher education, how many job opportunities will be available for those who have only studied for one or two years? Furthermore, if underprivileged students secure job opportunities and discontinue their studies within a year or two, will they be able to pursue further education in the future? The Chief Minister expressed the opinion that educational institutions lack the necessary infrastructure to implement this educational policy, leading to unnecessary confusion.
Deputy Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar, Higher Education Minister Dr. M.C. Sudhakar, Primary Education Minister Madhu Bangarappa, Senior Literature Prof. Baraguru Ramachandrappa, and senior government officials were present at the meeting.