In October 2022, Sanjay Kumar, a distinguished 1990 batch IAS officer from the Bihar cadre, was appointed Secretary of the Department of School Education & Literacy under the Ministry of Education. Taking charge after the disruption caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, Mr. Kumar became responsible for implementing transformative educational policies under NEP (New Education Policy) 2020 and steering India’s school education system toward a future rooted in digital learning, foundational literacy, and inclusive education.
His tenure has been marked by large-scale policy reforms, technology-driven initiatives, and global collaborations, making him a key figure in shaping India’s education sector.
EDUCATION & UPSC
Sanjay Kumar’s academic journey set the stage for his illustrious administrative career. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree (B. Sc.) in Physics from St. Stephen’s College, Delhi, followed by a Master of Science (M. Sc.) in Physics from the State University of New York. With a strong academic foundation, Mr. Kumar’s early inclination toward public service and governance led him to the prestigious Indian Administrative Service (IAS).
In 1990, Sanjay Kumar successfully cleared the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) examination, securing a position in the Bihar cadre of the IAS. His early postings as a civil servant reflected his keen interest in policy implementation and governance reforms. Over the years, Mr. Kumar worked in various capacities, gaining extensive experience in education, public administration, and policy-making.
CAREER TRAJECTORY
During his tenure in Bihar, Mr. Kumar held several critical positions in the education department, ultimately serving as the Principal Secretary, the Department of Education, Bihar. In this role, he spearheaded key educational initiatives, significantly improving the quality and accessibility of education in the state. His work laid the foundation for many of the national-level reforms he later implemented as Secretary in the Ministry of Education.
Before assuming charge as Secretary of School Education & Literacy, Mr. Kumar worked in different capacities, contributing to policy formulation at both the state and central levels. His predecessors in the role included Amit Khare and Anita Karwal, who had initiated the groundwork for execution of NEP-2020. Mr. Kumar’s immediate successor in Bihar was Deepak Kumar, who continued several of his initiatives.
TRANSFORMATIVE WORK IN EDUCATION (2023-24)
As the Secretary of the Department of School Education & Literacy, Sanjay Kumar has been at the forefront of several landmark initiatives, ensuring effective implementation of NEP 2020 and driving digital transformation in education.
1. Digital Education & Technology Integration
Recognising the growing importance of technology in education, Kumar has championed multiple digital initiatives:
- Development of 16,727 ICT Labs and 21,881 Smart Classrooms under the Samagra Shiksha scheme.
- Expansion of PM eVIDYA, which included:
- Launching 72 YouTube channels dedicated to educational content.
- Developing a PM eVIDYA mobile app to ensure equitable access to learning resources.
- Implementation of Virtual Labs:
- Created 218 virtual lab experiments and 868 digital content resources for grades 6-12.
- Trained over 4.5 lakh teachers and educators to integrate virtual labs into the curriculum.
2. Foundational Literacy & Numeracy (FLN)
Sanjay Kumar has been instrumental in strengthening foundational education through initiatives like:
- National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy (NIPUN) Bharat Mission, ensuring children achieve foundational literacy and numeracy by Grade 3.
- ‘Jaadui Pitara’, a play-based learning toolkit introduced to make early education engaging and effective.
3. National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 Implementation
A major part of Mr. Kumar’s tenure has been focused on executing the ambitious NEP 2020:
- The National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE) was developed to align with NEP’s 5+3+3+4 structure.
- PARAKH (National Assessment Centre) was established as an independent unit to set national standards for assessments and student learning outcomes.
4. Inclusive Education & Accessibility
Committed to making education inclusive, Mr. Kumar has worked extensively on:
- Expanding special education initiatives by ensuring the availability of special educators in schools.
- Improving infrastructure for children with disabilities, including ramps, assistive devices, and specialised learning materials.
- Strengthening tribal and minority education programs through NIEPA’s research and training programs.
5. Global Outreach & International Collaborations
Under Mr. Kumar’s leadership, India’s education sector has witnessed enhanced global engagement.
- Represented India in G20 Education Working Group Meetings, advocating for AI, digital education, and skill development.
- Supervised student exchange programs with Japan, facilitating study visits for 121 meritorious students and 14 supervisors.
6. Leadership Development & Training Initiatives
Sanjay Kumar has focused on building leadership in education by launching:
- Leadership Training Programs for College Principals in collaboration with NIEPA.
- NIEPA’s National Awards for Educational Administration recognise exemplary contributions to school governance.
7. Road Safety & Community Engagement
As part of his broader vision for education, Mr. Kumar led the “Safe Journey” initiative in collaboration with SIAM and Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan (KVS), integrating road safety education into school curricula.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
As Secretary, Department of School Education & Literacy, Sanjay Kumar is responsible for policy formulation, program implementation, and intergovernmental coordination. His key responsibilities include:
- Overseeing the execution of NEP 2020.
- Supervising centrally sponsored schemes like Samagra Shiksha, PM SHRI Schools, and NIPUN Bharat.
- Enhancing digital education through programs like PM eVIDYA and DIKSHA.
- Strengthening research and teacher training to improve the quality of education.
- Collaborating with state governments and international organisations to implement best practices.
Sanjay Kumar’s tenure as Secretary of the Department of School Education & Literacy has been characterised by bold reforms, technological advancements, and a strong focus on inclusive education. His visionary leadership has not only accelerated the implementation of NEP 2020 but has also set a precedent for transforming India’s school education system into one that is digitally empowered, globally competitive, and accessible to all.
