Parliamentary Panel to Debate Marriage Age and Education Reforms Next Week

A parliamentary committee, led by Congress MP Digvijaya Singh, will convene next week to discuss key topics impacting social and educational policy in India. Scheduled for November 21-22, the panel will address proposals concerning the minimum legal age for marriage and assess aspects of the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020, among other education initiatives.

The panel’s agenda includes deliberating on potential changes to marriage age requirements, a significant issue in light of the lapsed Prohibition of Child Marriage (Amendment) Bill, 2021. This bill, which sought to increase the minimum marriage age for females from 18 to 21 years, expired with the dissolution of the 17th Lok Sabha. The panel will engage with representatives from the Ministry of Women and Child Development, along with advocacy groups like the National Coalition Advocating for Adolescent Concerns and the Young Voices Campaign, to discuss the broader implications of adjusting marriage age policies. The discussions aim to address legislative gaps and align marriage laws with gender equality objectives.

On November 21, the panel will examine the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and its impact on school education. Representatives from the Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education, as well as members from school teacher federations and civil society groups, will provide insights. The committee will assess how NEP 2020, which replaced the 1986 policy, is being implemented at the grassroots level and how it addresses evolving educational needs across the country.

The discussion will also cover pivotal education initiatives, including:

• Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan: This comprehensive program focuses on elevating school education quality by integrating multiple educational schemes. The panel will assess the program's efficacy and impact on improving learning outcomes.
• Functioning of Autonomous Bodies: The committee will scrutinise the roles of institutions like the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, and Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti, which play crucial roles in the delivery of education and the shaping of curriculum and teacher training standards.

These discussions are expected to have lasting impacts on education and marriage policies in India, influencing future legal frameworks and policy directions. The recommendations from this panel could pave the way for aligning marriage laws with societal changes and refining education policies to better serve India’s diverse student population.