Ballari Activists Announce Push for People's Education Policy to Replace NEP 2020
The All India Save Education Committee's Ballari district chapter has made a bold announcement. They are launching a nationwide initiative to establish a People's Education Policy. This new policy aims to serve as a direct substitute for the current National Education Policy 2020.
Major Event Scheduled in Bengaluru
The campaign will officially kick off with a significant event. It is scheduled for January 24 at the Apex Auditorium of Ramaiah Institute of Technology in Bengaluru. The committee revealed these plans during a press conference held on Sunday.
Key Demands for Education Reform
Dr YC Yogananda Reddy, a member of the Jan Sansat reception committee, spoke forcefully at the conference. He argued that the government must take full responsibility for delivering quality education to every citizen.
Reddy presented a clear financial framework to achieve this goal. He advocated for a substantial increase in education funding. His proposal includes allocating 10% of the central government's budget directly to education. On a broader scale, he demands that 6% of the nation's Gross Domestic Product be dedicated to this sector. Furthermore, he insists that state governments should commit 25% of their budgets to educational needs.
The committee believes this level of investment would make the National Education Policy 2020 unnecessary. They describe the NEP as a biased initiative that is unacceptable for the country's future.
Core Principles of the Proposed Policy
The press conference outlined several foundational principles for the People's Education Policy.
- All vacant permanent teaching positions across the country must be filled promptly.
- Every educational institution deserves sufficient infrastructure to function properly.
- Education should be made truly universal, accessible to all without discrimination.
- The system must remain independent and should not serve the interests of any specific political party or private organisation.
The message from Ballari is clear: education is a public good that requires robust public investment and commitment.
Leaders Behind the Movement
The Sunday press conference saw participation from several prominent figures. Alongside Dr YC Yogananda Reddy, the event was attended by Dr Govardhan S Reddy, Shashidhar Badiger, Shankar G, Nagaratna S G, and R Somashekaragouda. Their collective presence underscores the growing support for this alternative vision for Indian education.
