Centre seeks support from States for ‘zero-error’ entrance tests

Education Minister says Centre is introducing various reforms in entrance tests.

Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Tuesday (November 12, 2024) said the Centre would introduce various reforms in entrance examinations ahead of the new cycle beginning in January and sought the support of States to conduct “zero-error” entrance tests

Mr. Pradhan, who was addressing the two-day National Workshop on Higher and Technical Education, said the Radhakrishnan panel had submitted its report on reforms in the National Testing Agency.

“Based on last year’s experiences, the government has introduced numerous reforms,” he told journalists on the sidelines of the workshop.

“Bringing examinations, especially entrance exams, to zero error is the responsibility of both the Government of India and the State governments. We will work as a team to build confidence in the children of our country,” Mr. Pradhan said.

Mr. Pradhan said the workshop would serve as a platform for rigorous academic brainstorming, particularly how education can bring substantive improvements in furthering ease of living, enhancing per capita income, and achieving national priorities set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The Minister also suggested five key areas for the academic leaders and administrators to focus on. “These were strengthening public universities through innovative modes of funding; setting up think tanks for aligning and tailoring curriculum as per the demand of industry and also as per the needs and aspirations of states/UTs; adopting a multidisciplinary approach to research and innovation for assuming leadership in solving global problems; promoting Academic Leadership Development Programmes in each state/UT through collaborations with eminent central/state institutions; and reviving vibrancy of campus life through sports, debate, poetry, drama, performing arts (already creditised through National Education Policy) and giving primacy to these non-scholastic areas,” the Ministry said in a release.

Published - November 12, 2024 04:59 pm IST