Vidyanjali program
Context:
The Vidyanjali program, launched on 7th September 2021 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aims to strengthen schools and improve the quality of education through community and private sector involvement.
Relevance:
GS-02 (Government policies and interventions)
Vidyanjali program:
- The Vidyanjali program is a school volunteer management initiative run by the Department of School Education & Literacy under the Ministry of Education in India.
- It was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on September 7, 2021.
- The primary aim of the Vidyanjali program is to strengthen schools and improve the quality of education by encouraging community, corporate social responsibility (CSR), and private sector involvement.
Key aspects of the Vidyanjali program include:
- Community Engagement: The program invites individuals and organizations to volunteer their time, skills, and resources to support schools in various capacities. Volunteers can include professionals, retired teachers, alumni, and others who are willing to contribute to the educational environment.
- Support for Schools: Volunteers can assist in academic and non-academic activities, such as teaching, extracurricular activities, career guidance, infrastructure development, and more. This support aims to enhance the overall learning experience for students and provide additional resources for schools.
- Online Platform: The Vidyanjali portal (https://vidyanjali.education.gov.in/) serves as a platform for schools to register and seek volunteers, and for individuals and organizations to sign up and offer their services. The portal facilitates the matching of schools’ needs with the skills and resources available from volunteers.
- Recognition and Gratitude: Schools are encouraged to acknowledge and appreciate the contributions of volunteers. This can include featuring volunteers on a “Wall of Fame” or Notice Board within the school, and writing letters of gratitude from principals, teachers, and students.
- National Education Policy 2020 Alignment: The Vidyanjali program aligns with the goals of the National Education Policy 2020, which emphasizes increased community participation and collaboration in the education sector to create a supportive and enriched learning environment for students.
National Education Policy 2020:
- The inaugural National Education Policy (NEP) of 2020 marks India’s pioneering educational roadmap for the 21st century, supplanting its predecessor, the National Policy on Education (NPE) of 1986.
- Under the stewardship of Dr. K Kasturirangan, a committee convened by the Ministry of Education meticulously crafted this novel policy.
- The National Education Policy of 2020 presents a comprehensive array of reforms tailored to the exigencies of the 21st century, spanning primary to tertiary education, including technical instruction.
- The bedrock of NEP 2020 is fortified by five cardinal pillars: Access, Equity, Quality, Affordability, and Accountability.
- Rooted in the aspirations of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, this policy steers India’s trajectory towards a thriving knowledge society and a global powerhouse of erudition.
- A transformative mission lies at its core, envisaging the metamorphosis of both school and collegiate education into entities that are enriched, adaptive, and multidisciplinary.
- The policy endeavors to unravel the distinctive potential within each student, nurturing their individual capabilities.
