The Vidya Pravesh scheme sounds like a significant initiative aimed at enhancing the quality of elementary education through a play-based school preparation module.
It’s positive to hear that both the Centre and the Tripura state government are collaborating to implement this scheme, with recent funding of Rs 128 crore allocated for its execution.
This indicates a concerted effort to improve the education system and prepare young students better for their educational journey.
Speaking on the sidelines of the inauguration of the District Institution for Education and Training (DIET) at Jalebasa in the Panisagar subdivision of North Tripura district, Saha, who also holds the education portfolio, said,
“We previously had four DIETs and now with this, we have five. A society’s success depends on the education of its people.
Education is one of our priority departments. Just yesterday, we held a meeting to identify some of our weaknesses, and I appealed to all the educationists who attended the meeting for advice on improving education.
There is no alternative to education, and there is no end to knowledge.”
Manik Saha’s transition from a maxillofacial surgeon to a political figure is quite noteworthy. It appears that since the BJP-led government came to power in Tripura in 2018, there has been a strong emphasis on reforming the education system with a focus on improving quality.
This initiative contrasts sharply with past challenges such as the retrenchment of 10,323 schoolteachers, which stemmed from issues related to recruitment policies during the Left Front era.
This context underscores ongoing efforts to address historical educational issues while promoting educational quality and reform in the state.
Citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s initiatives, Saha said,
“He has introduced the National Education Policy, which we have also started implementing in our education department so that students can keep up with the rest of the nation.”
Manik Saha highlighted the significant allocation of Rs 1,12,899 crore by the Centre for education in the fiscal year 2023-24.
This substantial funding underscores the government’s prioritization of education as a critical area for investment and development. It reflects a commitment to enhancing educational infrastructure, quality, and accessibility across the country.
Citing the efforts to match central educational reforms, Saha said,
“The government has a plan for this. PM e-Vidya, related to digital/online/on-air education, has also been launched. The DISHA scheme has been implemented as well. The main aim of the DIET is to provide better training to teachers.”
Saha also said the state government is working to modernise the educational infrastructure.
“I always stress the importance of infrastructure as well as manpower. Recently, we inaugurated a new school building in Gandacherra, opened a new school building in the south district and inaugurated a girls’ hostel in Sonamura.”
