BRICS Education Ministers' meeting in Bhubaneswar: 5 key education priorities to watch

BRICS education ministers are set to meet in Bhubaneswar after officials finalised a proposed declaration. The agenda spans early learning, skills, research ties and recognition of qualifications across member countries.

In Short

• Senior officials met on August 5 to finalise the ministers' declaration
• Early childhood education emerged as a priority under India's BRICS track
• Skill development and TVET talks centred on changing workforce needs

The 13th BRICS Education Ministers’ Meeting will be held in Bhubaneswar on August 7, with Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi participating in the meeting. Ahead of it, senior education officials from BRICS member countries met on August 5 to finalise key elements of the proposed BRICS Education Ministers’ Declaration.

From early childhood education to global recognition of degrees, here are five key takeaways.

1. Early childhood education gets a major focus

Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) is among the key priorities under India’s BRICS Education Track. Member countries discussed strengthening cooperation and sharing best practices to improve education and care during the early years.

2. Skill development and vocational training on the agenda

Skill development and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) are also central to the discussions. BRICS countries are looking to strengthen capacity-building initiatives and make education systems more responsive to changing workforce needs.

3. More collaboration in research and innovation

The meeting emphasised greater academic and research collaboration among BRICS countries. This includes institutional partnerships, exchange of best practices, knowledge sharing and initiatives to promote research and innovation.

4. Mutual recognition of qualifications discussed

Mutual recognition of qualifications is another key priority. Closer cooperation in this area could support academic mobility and make it easier for qualifications earned in one BRICS country to be recognised by another.

5. New declaration to outline BRICS education priorities

Senior officials reviewed and finalised the proposed outcomes of the BRICS Education Ministers’ Declaration ahead of the ministerial meeting. The declaration covers priorities including ECCE, TVET, research and innovation, mutual recognition of qualifications, academic leadership, and traditional and indigenous knowledge systems.

The discussions are part of India’s BRICS Chairship 2026 and are aimed at strengthening cooperation among member countries to build more inclusive, resilient and future-ready education systems.

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