On November 27, 2019 the Union Minister of Human Resource and Development(MHRD) Shri Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ addressed the 40th UNESCO General Conference in Paris held from November 12-27,2019. The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) general conference discussed the future of multilateralism in the rapidly changing world.
EI and UNESCO launch 1st Global Framework of Professional Teaching Standards:
1st Global Framework of Professional Teaching Standards was launched at the UNESCO General Conference on 16 November by Education International (EI) and UNESCO, in the presence of education ministers, EI member organisations and policy experts. The framework was result of participatory process to respond to the right of educators to be at the table when education policy decisions are made.
Key Points:
i.On 19 November 2019, the conference adopted the recommendation on Open Educational Resources(OER) to reach Sustainable Development Goal 4(SDG 4) to provide a quality education, as well as UNESCO’s 2030 Framework for Action.
Highlights of speech by MHRD minister:
Motto of India “Collective efforts, for growth of all, with everyone’s trust” mentioned by thePrime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, at the 74th Conference of the United Nations General Assembly(UNGA) in New York, United States(US) was discussed.
India houses the oldest centres of learning in the world, the Nalanda University, Bihar. Nalanda, Vikramashila (Bihar), Vallabhi University, Gujarat has been the centre of attraction for students and scholars from around the world. India provides education to children by the implementation of Right to Education Act 2009.
Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi has unveiled ‘India Technology Vision 2035’ at the 103rd Indian Science Congress to achieve UNESCO’s sustainable development goals with the help of science and technology.
Online education portals by India:
- India provides free online education through SWAYAM (Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds)-portal for both Indian as well as foreign students.
- India also provides free online education through E-VidyaBharati and Arogyabharati, through SWAYAM PRABHA, which is a DTH (Direct to Home) Channel. It has also entered into an agreement with the African countries to provide free education.
Other education programs:
- Education programs such as IMPRINT (Impacting Research, Innovation and Technology), SPARC (Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration), STRIDE (Scheme for Trans-Disciplinary Research for India’s Developing Economy), NIRF (National Institutional Ranking Framework) Ranking, IMPRESS (Impactful Policy Research in Social Science) and GIAN (Global Initiative of Academic Networks) are some of education schemes/ programmes by which students from other countries get education in India.
- India has World’s largest teacher training programme “Nishtha” (National Initiative for School Heads and Teachers Holistic Advancement). Similarly, higher education teachers will be trained under ARPIT (Annual Refresher Programme in Teaching) programme.
About Education International(EI):
Founded- 1992.
Headquarters- Brussels, Belgium.
President- Susan Hopgood.
About United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization(UNESCO):
Director General(DG)- Audrey Azoulay.
Formation- 4 November 1946.
Headquarters- Paris, France.
