1990 batch IAS officer Sanjay Kumar took charge as the new secretary of the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education. He was formerly secretary in the Department of Youth Affairs, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. Kumar replaced Anita Karwal who served from November 28, 2020 to November 28, 2022.
Taking charge officially, Kumar held a meeting with senior ministry officials where he reviewed the functioning department along with autonomous bodies and various schemes relating to school education. In addition to this, discussions on the implementation of national educational policy (NEP) 2020 were also held. Discussions on building capacity of teachers, infrastructure in schools and upcoming Prime Minister’s interaction programme ‘Pariksha Pe Pariksha’ were also a part of the meeting. Kumar also served as the principal secretary of education in Bihar.
Meanwhile, the government has now limited its pre-matric scholarship scheme meant for backward and minority communities to students of Class 9 and 10 stating that Right to Education (RTE) covers compulsory education up to Class 8 for all students. Earlier, the pre-matric scholarship used to cover education for Classes 1 to 8 also belonging to SC, ST, OBC and minority communities. The All India Forum for Right to Education (AIFRTE) has condemned the central government’s decision and demanded withdrawal of the “anti-people” move.
