Education Must Remain At The Heart Of India’s Development Journey: Hardeep Singh Puri

Union Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri, underscored the pivotal role of education in shaping India’s future at a national seminar on “School Education in India: Towards Equitable Access to Quality Education for All,” organised by the Council for Social Development (CSD). Speaking at the event, the Minister asserted that education must remain at the heart of India’s developmental roadmap as the country sets its sights on becoming a $35 trillion economy by 2047.

Puri stressed that building a generation of responsible and productive citizens through universal, high-quality, and inclusive education is central to this ambition. He noted that India’s progress in education over the past two and a half decades is a testament to policy continuity and commitment, beginning with the landmark 86th Constitutional Amendment under the Vajpayee Government in 2002, which made education a Fundamental Right for children aged 6–14 years. This paved the way for the enactment of the Right to Education (RTE) Act in 2009, further strengthened by the focused implementation of education programmes under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi since 2014.

Citing data from the UDISE and ASER reports, the Minister highlighted substantial improvements in several key education indicators. He shared that the youth literacy rate has touched nearly 97 per cent, the gender literacy gap has narrowed significantly due to programmes like Beti Bachao Beti Padhao and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, and enrolment rates have shown notable growth. Primary school enrolment has risen from 84 per cent to 96 per cent, and upper primary enrolment from 62 per cent to 90 per cent.

He further pointed out the marked improvement in educational infrastructure and teaching resources:

• The teacher-pupil ratio has improved from 42:1 to 24:1

• Schools with separate toilets for girls have jumped from 30 per cent to 91 per cent

• Schools with electricity access have increased from 20 per cent to 86 per cent

• Dropout rates have declined sharply from 9.1 per cent to 1.5 per cent

Reflecting on India’s long-term educational journey, Puri remarked that literacy levels, which were at a low 17 per cent at the time of independence, have now surged to around 80 per cent, according to NSSO data. He termed this progress as a solid foundation for achieving universal education in the near future.

Puri emphasized that education must be treated as a national mission that transcends political differences, stating, “Education is not a matter of political ideology but a foundational pillar for a developed India.” He humbly acknowledged that while he is not an expert in education policy, he firmly believes that inclusive and robust educational reforms are crucial for harnessing India’s demographic dividend.

The seminar also marked the inauguration of the Muchkund Dubey Centre for Right to Education at CSD, established in memory of the renowned diplomat, scholar, and public intellectual, Prof. Muchkund Dubey. Paying tribute to Prof. Dubey’s lifelong work in the field of education, Puri described him as a mentor and visionary who championed the cause of equitable and quality education for every child in India.

The event brought together educationists, policymakers, and civil society members committed to driving equitable education reform in the country.