Sanjay Kumar, Secretary of the Department of School Education and Literacy under the Ministry of Education, recently convened a significant meeting with H.E. Denis Gribov, Deputy Minister of Education of the Russian Federation. The agenda centered on fostering mutual collaboration in various educational domains between the two nations. Notable attendees included Additional Secretary Anandrao V. Patil, Joint Secretaries Archana Sharma Awasthi, Amarpreet Duggal, Neeta Prasad, and Prachi Pandey, alongside other Ministry officials.

Kumar underscored the expansive scope of India’s education system, spotlighting key aspects of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. He highlighted the integration of skill education from Class VI onwards, in alignment with policy recommendations, along with initiatives promoting experiential learning, innovative assessment methods, and support frameworks for gifted students.

In turn, Gribov elucidated the distinctive features of the Russian education system, emphasizing comprehensive student assessment methodologies, specialized grading systems, and a keen interest in fostering Russian language instruction within Indian educational institutions, alongside facilitating teacher exchange programs.

The Russian delegation sought counsel on implementing value education, as outlined in India’s NEP 2020, and received invaluable insights from Kumar, particularly regarding the role of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) in developing pertinent curriculum content. Neeta Prasad underscored the collaborative opportunities between the two nations, particularly in light of India’s G20 Presidency, expressing eagerness to advance bilateral initiatives. She urged the delegation to furnish a concept note to expedite actions pertaining to teacher exchange programs and language instruction.

Furthermore, discussions delved into the pivotal role of technology in India’s education landscape, elaborated upon by Patil, while Awasthi shed light on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) initiatives, emphasizing the significance of teaching in local languages. Prachi Pandey expounded on the integration of skill education, commencing from Class VI, ensuring students acquire a practical skillset by the time they complete secondary education.