Pune: Prime Minister Narendra Modi Addresses G20 Education Ministers’ Meet, Emphasizes the Power of Education for Humanity’s Future
Pune, 22nd June 2023: Prime Minister Narendra Modi delivered a video message at the G20 Education Ministers’ Meet held in Pune. Chaired by Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister for Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, the meeting witnessed the participation of 150 G20 delegates, including ministers from G20 nations, invitee countries, and senior officials from international organizations such as UNICEF, UNESCO, and OECD. The event also featured bilateral meetings aimed at enhancing cooperation in education and skill development.
During his video address, Prime Minister Narendra Modi underscored the fundamental role of education in shaping civilization and determining humanity’s future. Addressing the Education Ministers as the “Sherpas,” he acknowledged their leadership in driving global development, peace, and prosperity. Quoting an ancient Sanskrit Shlok that conveys the significance of knowledge, humility, worthiness, wealth, and joy, the Prime Minister outlined India’s holistic and comprehensive approach to education.
Modi emphasized the importance of foundational literacy as the cornerstone for empowering the youth, noting India’s integration of technology to bolster this aspect. He highlighted the Government’s “National Initiative for Proficiency in reading with Understanding and Numeracy” (Nipun Bharat), commending the G20’s recognition of “Foundational Literacy and Numeracy” as a priority. The Prime Minister urged concerted efforts to achieve this goal by 2030.
Adapting and leveraging innovative e-learning methods were identified as crucial objectives by the Prime Minister, who stressed the necessity of providing quality education with enhanced governance. He highlighted several initiatives undertaken by the Indian Government, including the “Study Webs of Active-learning for Young Aspiring Minds” (Swayam), an online platform offering courses from Class 9 to the post-graduate level. Additionally, he mentioned the “Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing” (Diksha Portal), which facilitates distance learning in 29 Indian and 7 foreign languages.
Expressing India’s willingness to share experiences and resources, particularly with nations in the Global South, Modi extended a warm welcome to the Education Ministers, G20 delegates, and officials from UNESCO, UNICEF, and OECD. Pradhan, in his opening address, highlighted the G20 Education Working Group’s commitment to collective action in improving education’s reach, quality, and outcomes. He stressed the investment in education and skilling as vital for humanity’s progress, calling for the bridging of knowledge and socio-economic gaps to create a more equitable and prosperous world through lifelong learning opportunities.
Pradhan echoed the Prime Minister’s vision of promoting humanity’s welfare through quality education and better governance, emphasizing the importance of transcending geopolitical boundaries. He urged global cooperation to ensure that children and youth worldwide benefit from holistic education and acquire 21st-century skills.
In an optimistic display of commitment, the 2023 G20 Education Ministers’ Meeting concluded with hopes of fostering positive change, establishing policy directions, and delivering meaningful outcomes. The Indian Education Minister expressed his anticipation of witnessing the beneficial impact of the meeting’s decisions, while also pledging India’s support to the upcoming Brazilian Presidency. Together, India and Brazil aimed to tackle educational challenges and transform the G20 Education Working Group into a catalyst for progress.
During a press conference held later in the day, Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, accompanied by Brazilian Minister of Education H.E. Mr. Camilo Santana and other esteemed guests, commended the exceptional work of the Indian Ministry of Education in hosting the 4th Education Working Group meeting. Minister Santana proposed three crucial topics for the next year’s agenda: enhancing teacher training to improve education quality, establishing a sharing mechanism for educational resources among member countries, and emphasizing community engagement for schools to create a supportive learning environment.
Dr. Iwan Syahril, DG of Early Childhood Education, Primary Education, and Secondary Education at the Ministry of Culture and Education, Indonesia, and Co-chair for the G-20 Education Working Group, praised India for its facilitation and warm hospitality during the event. Dr. Syahril expressed admiration for India’s rich cultural heritage and commended the nation’s progress in driving the education agenda forward. He particularly lauded India’s emphasis on Fundamental Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) and its commitment to equity and inclusivity in education, ensuring that every learner has equal access to quality learning opportunities.
The G20 Education Working Group focused on four priority areas during their meeting:
Ensuring Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, especially in the context of blended learning.
Promoting inclusive, qualitative, and collaborative tech-enabled learning at all levels.
Building capacities and promoting lifelong learning in the context of the future of work.
Strengthening research and fostering innovation through enhanced collaboration and partnerships.
The 4th Meeting of the G20 Education Working Group, centered around the theme “Ensuring Foundational Literacy and Numeracy in the Context of Blended Learning,” took place in Pune and culminated in the G20 Ministers’ meeting on June 22, 2023.
Several activities preceded the 4th Meeting of the G20 Education Working Group:
Janbhagidari events were organized across all states and union territories in India from June 1 to 15, 2023, to raise awareness about FLN and G20. Autonomous bodies such as Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, Navodaya Vidyalaya, NCERT, CBSE, and state governments actively participated in these events.
A pre-cursor seminar on “Accessible Science: Fostering Collaboration” was held in collaboration with IISER and ELSEVIER on June 16, 2023. During the seminar, a report titled “The Status and Relevance of Research Collaborations for Development, Considering G20 Nations” was launched.
A two-day national conference on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, held on June 17 and 18 at Savitribai Phule Pune University, focused on teaching approaches, pedagogy for FLN in the context of multilingualism, and capacity building and training of teachers in blended modes.
An exhibition showcasing innovative practices in education, FLN, digital initiatives, research, and skill development by states, union territories, and other agencies was inaugurated on June 17. The exhibition attracted more than 1.5 lakh visitors, including school children, showcasing their enthusiasm and interest in educational advancements.
On June 19, 2023, a seminar titled “Promoting Foundational Literacy and Numeracy in the Era of Blended Learning” took place. The distinguished inaugural guest was Rajkumar Ranjan Singh, Minister of State for Education and External Affairs. Noteworthy participants included representatives from G20 member nations and prominent international organizations. Together, they engaged in fruitful discussions on crucial matters pertaining to foundational literacy and numeracy. Delivering an enlightening keynote address was Prof. Manjul Bhargava, an esteemed member of the NCF committee and a distinguished professor at Princeton University.
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