The Central Government is set to introduce a new phase of education reform with the launch of Samagra Shiksha 3.0 from April 1. The reform aims to strengthen government schools by increasing community participation, improving learning outcomes, and aligning school education with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the Vision India 2047 roadmap.
Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan announced the initiative during a high-level meeting attended by Chief Secretaries and Education Secretaries from multiple states.
Schools to reconnect with society
Addressing the meeting, the Education Minister said that while the responsibility for infrastructure and salaries will remain with the government, the day-to-day functioning and monitoring of schools should involve society.
Under Samagra Shiksha 3.0, parents, local citizens, and public representatives will be included in government school management committees for the first time. This move is intended to bring schools closer to communities and ensure shared responsibility for education outcomes.
Role of community members
Members of the school management committees will be able to provide inputs on academic quality, sports, skill development, student fees, stress management, dropout prevention, and teacher training. The government believes that local involvement will help identify problems early and improve accountability at the school level.
Focus shifts from access to outcomes
Officials said the new framework goes beyond access and enrolment and focuses strongly on quality, equity, and measurable outcomes. Samagra Shiksha will be transformed from a large-scale access scheme into a results-driven education framework aligned with NEP 2020.
Key priorities include:
●Improving learning and nutrition outcomes
●Reducing exam stress and learning gaps
●Preventing student dropouts
●Achieving 100% enrolment up to Class 12
●Integrating technology into schools
●Enhancing teacher capacity and training
●Promoting design thinking and essential skills among students
●Preparing future-ready human capital
Dharmendra Pradhan emphasised the need to move away from outdated colonial-era thinking in education. He said India must prepare its “Amrit Peedhi” (new generation) with the skills and mindset required for a developed nation by 2047.
According to the minister, building a strong education ecosystem and skilled human capital is one of India’s biggest challenges and responsibilities.
States participate in reform discussions
The meeting saw participation from 11 states, including Delhi, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Assam, Punjab, Tripura, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, Telangana, and Maharashtra. Senior officials discussed implementation strategies and coordination between the Centre and states.
Towards inclusive and modern education
Samagra Shiksha 3.0 is being positioned as a major step toward inclusive, community-driven, and future-oriented education, where schools are no longer isolated institutions but active centres of social development.
The reform is expected to play a key role in shaping India’s education landscape over the next decade.
