By TC News Desk
Agartala, 16th April 2025: The All India Save Education Committee on Wednesday strongly opposed the National Education Policy (2020) labeling it “anti-people” and “killing the lifeblood of education” during a press conference at the Agartala Press Club. The committee demanded the withdrawal of the policy, citing its detrimental impact on the education sector nationwide.
“The National Education Policy has brought disaster to the education sector across the country, including Tripura. It was imposed without consulting educationists, intellectuals, or even discussing it in Parliament,” a committee representative said. The policy was described as contrary to the educational philosophy of India’s renaissance leaders.
The committee accused the central government of shirking its financial responsibilities toward education. “Previous education commissions recommended allocating at least 10 percent of the central budget and 6 percent of the GDP to education. However, the current budget allocates only 2.5 percent and 3 percent respectively,” a spokesperson noted, adding that this has led to rampant privatization and commercialization of education.
Criticism was also leveled at the University Grants Commission’s (UGC) draft regulation for 2025. “Through central exams like CUET, NEET, and NET conducted by the National Testing Agency, education is being centralized and over-reliant on coaching centers. Talented students from lower and middle-class families are being sidelined,” committee members alleged.
Locally, the committee highlighted issues with Tripura’s ‘Vidya Jyoti’ project, claiming it aligns with the National Education Policy. They pointed out the staged closure of 511 schools and the shifting of 125 schools from the Tripura Board to CBSE without justifiable reasons. “English medium education has been introduced, but there’s no infrastructure or proper teacher recruitment. Additional fees are being charged in violation of the Right to Education Act,” a member added.
The committee announced that an alternative education policy draft has been prepared and will be unveiled across the nation’s capital cities on May 9, coinciding with Rabindra Jayanti. The draft will undergo further refinement through a nationwide feedback initiative. “A national-level ‘People’s Parliament’ will be held in Bangalore in December 2025 to finalize the alternative education policy and demand its implementation,” a representative stated.
