PIB Summary- 6th September, 2023 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

National Council of Educational Research and Training

Context
The 63rd Foundation Day of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) was recently observed in New Delhi, accompanied by the notable achievement of NCERT being granted the esteemed Deemed-to-be-University status.

About NCERT

• Educational Research and Innovation: NCERT conducts research and promotes innovative educational approaches.
• Curriculum Development: It plays a pivotal role in developing and revising educational curricula.
• Textbook and Material Development: NCERT is responsible for creating textbooks and various teaching and learning materials.
• Teacher Education: The organization is engaged in the professional development of teachers.
• Educational Evaluation: It is involved in educational evaluation and assessment.
• International Cooperation: NCERT collaborates with international partners on educational matters.

National Curriculum Frameworks (NCFs) under NEP 2020: According to the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, NCERT is the designated agency for formulating National Curriculum Frameworks (NCFs) for Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE), School Education, and Adult Education.

Deemed Universities

• Curriculum Independence: They can create their own courses, syllabi, and admission criteria.
• Financial Autonomy: Deemed universities can establish their own fee structures and handle faculty recruitment and examination systems.

De Novo Category
The NCERT has achieved deemed university status under the ‘de novo’ category, signifying recognition for excellence in a new or emerging field of knowledge. De novo institutions focus on innovations in teaching and research in emerging areas such as biotechnology, nanotechnology, and space science.

Benefits of Deemed University Status

• Course Innovation: Deemed universities can introduce new courses and programs that align with evolving educational needs without external approvals.
• Collaborations: They can engage in collaborations with national and international educational institutions for academic exchange, research projects, faculty development, and student mobility.
• Diversity and Funding: Deemed universities can attract a more diverse student and faculty base and secure additional funding from various sources.
• NEP 2020 Implementation: They can actively participate in the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which envisions a transformation of the Indian school education system.

PM-DAKSH (Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi) Yojana

Context
During 2020-21 to 2022-23, a total of 107,156 beneficiaries have been trained under the PM-DAKSH Yojana.

About PM-DAKSH

• PM-DAKSH (Pradhan Mantri Dakshta Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi) Yojana is a National Action Plan for skilling of marginalized persons covering SCs, OBCs, EBCs, DNTs, Sanitation workers including waste pickers.
• It is being implemented from the year 2020-21.
• It will provide skill development training programmes for qualified target groups in the areas of Short Term Training Programs, Up-Skilling/Reskilling, Entrepreneurship Development Programs, and Long Term Training Programs.
• Government training institutes, sector skill councils established by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, and other competent organisations are implementing these training programmes.

It is implemented by the three Corporations under the Ministry:

• National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC),
• National Backward Classes Finance & Development Corporation (NBCFDC),
• National Safai Karamcharis Finance and Development Corporation (NSKFDC).

What is the Significance of the Scheme?

• Most members of the target groups have limited financial resources; consequently, providing training and improving their skills is critical for economic empowerment and upliftment of these marginalised groups.
• Many members of the target groups are rural craftsmen who have become marginalised as a result of the introduction of superior technologies to the market.
• Women cannot participate in wage employment because of their overall domestic responsibilities, which usually entails long working hours and perhaps relocation to other cities; therefore, there is a need to empower women among the target populations.