8th CII National School Education Summit

The 8th CII National School Education Summit, themed “Transforming Education: Shaping India’s Future Schools,” was held on December 20, 2024, in New Delhi. Organized by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), the event brought together policymakers, educators, and industry leaders.

The summit featured an illustrious lineup of speakers who brought diverse and thought-provoking perspectives on transforming school education in India. The sessions included insightful addresses by Dr Sukanta Majumdar, Hon’ble Minister of State for Education, Mr Sanjay Kumar, Secretary, Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education, Prof Dinesh Prasad Saklani, Director, National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), Maj Gen PR Murali (Retd), Managing Director, Army Welfare Education Society, and Mr Anandrao V Patil, Additional Secretary (Digital Education Bureau), Department of School Education & Literacy, Ministry of Education.

The importance of learner-centric curricula and pedagogy was a recurring theme. Discussions highlighted the need to create educational frameworks that align with students’ unique needs and aspirations. Emphasis was placed on experiential and vocational learning as crucial components of building a knowledge society. The focus was on nurturing creativity, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills, moving beyond rote learning.

In the session exploring India’s potential as a global education hub, expert panelists discussed strategies to position the country as a leader in education on the global stage. The NEP 2020’s vision of transforming Indian schools into world-class institutions was a central focus, along with measures to enhance the global appeal of Indian education.

Holistic education was another key area of discussion, with a strong emphasis on integrating life skills, character development, and hands-on learning into the curriculum. Sessions advocated for respecting the dignity of labour and focusing on values-based education to prepare students not only for academics but also for life’s challenges.

A recurring point across the discussions was the role of private schools in driving innovation and quality in education. The need to explore public-private partnerships (PPP) was highlighted as a strategy to bridge gaps in infrastructure, accessibility, and learning outcomes, particularly in underserved areas.

The summit saw the release of the Report on Comparative Study of School Education Systems. This report compares school education systems across eight countries: India, USA, UK, China, Sweden, Australia, Indonesia, and Thailand. It explores their structures, teaching methods, funding, learning methodology, curricula, assessments, and equity measures to highlight global insights and best practices. The report offered actionable

recommendations based on global best practices to address challenges and improve learning outcomes.

The summit concluded with a collective call to action, urging stakeholders to prioritize collaboration and innovation in transforming India’s education system. By embracing technology, fostering inclusivity, and focusing on quality education, the vision of shaping future-ready schools and empowering every child to reach their full potential was reinforced.