Latest news with #VidyaBharati
Time of India
4 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
KU inks pact with Vidya Bharati to promote Indian knowledge traditions
Kurukshetra: In a move to promote India's rich intellectual and cultural traditions under the National Education Policy (NEP), Kurukshetra University (KU) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Vidya Bharati Institute of Training and Research Trust, Kurukshetra. The MoU was signed by Virender Pal, Registrar, KU and Surendra Atri, North Zone Head of Vidya Bharati, during a formal event chaired by KU Vice Chancellor (VC), Prof Som Nath Sachdeva. Speaking on the occasion, Prof Sachdeva congratulated both institutions and emphasized the importance of English communication skills in the modern world. Prof Sachdeva stated that this collaboration aims to foster teacher training, enhance English language proficiency among educators, and introduce students to India's ancient knowledge systems on a broader platform, while also offering an opportunity to share them globally—aligning with the broader goals of the NEP. Prof Sachdeva highlighted that this initiative reflects the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Haryana chief minister (CM) Nayab Singh Saini, who are committed to integrating Indian knowledge systems into school and higher education. As part of the collaboration, experts associated with Vidya Bharti will visit Kurukshetra University (KU) to deliver lectures and share their research work on Indian knowledge traditions. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Secure your family's future! ICICI Pru Life Insurance Plan Get Quote Undo Surender Atri, North Zone Head of Vidya Bharati, remarked that the Vidya Bharati Institute of Training and Research Trust is a key unit of the Vidya Bharati Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Sansthan. The Trust focuses on teacher training, educational research, and promoting a value-based education model rooted in Indian culture and heritage. Prof Brajesh Sawhney, Chairperson, Department of English informed that this MoU will also facilitate the training of teachers from Vidya Bharati's North Zone schools in core English language skills—listening, speaking, reading, and writing—through programmes conducted by KU's Department of English. In turn, Vidya Bharati will offer internship opportunities to KU's English students in its network of schools, providing valuable practical experience and fostering skill development. Research scholars from the English Department will also be allowed to collect data from these schools for their language-teaching research, strengthening the academic research ecosystem. Also present at the event were Prof Sunil Dhingra, Prof Pradeep Kumar, Prof Rashmi Verma, Prof Sunita Siroha, Geeta School Manager Virender Walia, Nidhi Sachchar (Principal, Vidya Bharati Institute of Training and Research), Pankaj (President, Alumni Association), and Ramendra Pratap Thakur (Manager, Vidya Bharati Institute of Training and Research).
Indian Express
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
Not must for students to learn Hindi under NEP: RSS education wing
Amid row over languages to be studied under the National Education Policy (NEP), the RSS's education wing — Vidya Bharati — has made its stand clear that it is not necessary for everyone to study Hindi. Vidya Bharati's national president Ravindra Kanhare on Friday said: 'Vidya Bharti is of the opinion that education should be in mother tongue. This is something that has been said in the 1968 policy (on education) and has been proposed in the NEP as well. No language is being foisted upon any state. It has been said that children should read their language, one national language and any foreign language. If someone is from Tamil Nadu, they can learn Tamil or one from Kerala can learn Malayalam. It is not necessary for them to learn Hindi. The NEP draft had been sent to all states.' Kanhare was speaking at Vidya Bharati's annual press conference at Constitution Club. On the issue of rising school fees in private schools in metropolitan cities, he said 'if parents create pressure, fees can be redetermined'. He also said that parents must judge whether their children are getting quality education to justify the fees they pay. 'To determine the school fees is the job of state governments. In states there is generally a system where if the fees are to be increased, it would be done through a committee under the district magistrate. If the fees are to be increased by more, a state-level committee looks into it. Parents must see whether the schools are providing the kind of quality education that such fees must afford. If the parents create pressure, the fees can be redetermined,' Kanhare said. The statement comes in the backdrop of the growing concern over arbitrary hike in fees by private schools in metropolitan cities. The Delhi Public School in the Capital's Dwarka has been chided by the High Court as having become a 'money making machine' which treats students like 'chattel'. Answering a question on NCERT removing the mention of the Babri mosque from Class 12 textbooks, Kanhare said, 'To bring changes in the curriculum is NCERT's job. We must stick to historical facts in books. We have seen in all these years that misleading information has been provided in some books. If they have been removed now then there is nothing wrong with that.' Talking about Vidya Bharti's success stories in the past one year, Kanhare said while over 93% of students of its schools succeeded in Class 12th with more than 2,500 students scoring above 90%, as many as 27 of its alumni cleared the UPSC this year.
The Hindu
20-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Pressure of parents can deter schools to do exorbitant fee hike, says RSS education wing
'Parents must keep a check on the quality of education in the schools they choose for their children; their pressure can deter schools from doing an exorbitant fee hike,' said Ravindra Kanhere, national president of Vidya Bharati, an affiliate of the Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh. Mr. Kanhere's statement came at a time when reports of protests by parents of school students are making headlines from different states across India who complaint about exorbitant fees being charged by the private schools. In Delhi too, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government under the leadership of chief minister Rekha Gupta, earlier this month had approved an ordinance based on the proposed Delhi School Education (Transparency in Fixation and Regulation of Fees) Bill, 2025. the ordinance came after a private school in the capital had strike off the \student names from its rolls for not paying the increased fees. The state government had also sent inspection teams to the school, after which DoE issued an order regarding reinstatement. Answering a question on inaction of state governments at in regulating the fees of private schools, Mr. Kanhere said that deciding fees of schools is prerogative of government. 'But because you have raised the point of fee hikes in private schools, I was to tell you that there is a system in states that 10% fee hike can be done through the committee which is headed by the district collector. If the fees have to be raised more than 10% than there is a state government committee at state level. This is a general practice in many states,' he said. He added that the parents should check the quality of education in schools in which their wards are studying. 'Pressure of parents can deter schools to do exorbitant fee hike,' he added Speaking on the controversy related to language in the New Education Policy (NEP), Mr. Kanhere said that all the states are free to choose any three of the 22 Indian languages prescribed under the policy. He dismissed the Tamil Nadu Government's charge of imposition of Hindi by the Centre and added that a child is free to study any southern language if he from South. 'If someone in the South is learning Tamil, he can also learn Malayalam or any other language… All Indian languages have been listed, and they have been asked to choose from them. Similarly, when it comes to the third language, it can be English, Japanese, Korean or Mandarin also,' he added. Commenting on the controversy of NCERT books removing the usage of Babri mosque in chapters related to Ayodhya's Ram temple, Mr. Kanhere said that 'misleading facts' must be erased from the textbooks. 'We should write historical facts only. But we have seen over the years that some or other misleading facts are being included in the books. If they are being removed, nothing wrong in doing so,' he added. Speaking about the expansion of Vidhya Bharti, he said that the organisation had opened its first school in Uttar Pradesh's Gorakhpur district in 1952 and is currently running 12,118 schools including 14 Sainik Schools in 684 districts across India. The organisation is also running over 8,000 non-formal educational centres across the country to support the marginalised sections of the society and about 10,000 'Shishu Vatikas' to provide early childhood education to children. 'Collectively, more than 35.33 lakh students are currently enrolled in Vidya Bharati schools under the able guidance of more than 1.53 lakh teachers,' he added.
News18
20-06-2025
- Politics
- News18
'3 Languages, 0 Imposition': RSS Affiliate Vidya Bharati Backs NEP, Champions AI-Ready Classrooms
Last Updated: Addressing concerns and objections raised by some states, Vidya Bharati clarified that the NEP does not mandate Hindi as compulsory Lauding the reforms brought in by the Narendra Modi government through the National Education Policy (NEP), RSS affiliate Vidya Bharati has asserted that the three-language formula is key to delivering holistic education. It enables children to stay rooted in their culture while gaining national and global competence, said the organisation that works in the field of education. Addressing concerns and objections raised by some states, Vidya Bharati clarified that the NEP does not mandate Hindi as compulsory. 'Those opposing it may read the draft carefully. There is no imposition of any language, not only Hindi. The policy gives the choice of selecting a language apart from the mother tongue," said Ravindra Kanhere, national president of Vidya Bharati, addressing the media in New Delhi. Supporting both the NEP and the revised NTA structure, a senior functionary of the organisation also underlined that reforms must be backed by robust systems to ensure fairness and prevent confusion, adding that the government is working in that direction. The senior functionaries also added that, in an era of rapidly changing technologies, Vidya Bharati ensures that AI, robotics, coding, and various digital tools are introduced responsibly, with an emphasis on ethical thinking and character development. While global benchmarks in STEM and innovation are being pursued, the moral compass is set by Bharatiya Darshan (Indian philosophy). Students participate equally in yoga, Sanskrit recitation, cultural training, and value education, he added. First Published: June 20, 2025, 23:35 IST
Time of India
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Vidya Bharati unveils vision 2047: 5-point transformation plan to reshape education
Annual press conference held at the Constitution Club of India NEW DELHI: With an eye on India's centenary of independence, Vidya Bharati Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Sansthan on Friday unveiled its ambitious Vision 2047 — a five-point roadmap aimed at transforming Indian education through cultural rootedness, social equity, environmental stewardship, and self-reliance. At its annual press conference held at the Constitution Club of India, the organisation outlined its ' Panch Parivartan ' (five transformations) strategy that will guide Vidya Bharati's expansion and reforms in the decades ahead. 'Our vision is not just academic excellence, but nation-building — a Bharat that is self-reliant, value-driven and socially harmonious,' said Deshraj Sharma, General Secretary of Vidya Bharati. 5 pillars of transformation Samajik Samrasata – Social integration through inclusive education across castes, communities, and geographies. Kutumb Prabodhan – Strengthening families via cultural and value-based learning, including Matri-Pitri Pujan and family rituals. Paryavaran Sanrakshan – Environmental commitment with over 5.2 lakh saplings, 3,400 green campuses, and water conservation in 1,800+ schools. Swa (Self-Identity & Self-Reliance) – Youth empowerment through skill development, rooted identity, and expansion of ITIs and vocational hubs even in Kargil and Kiphire. Nari Samman – Education and dignity for girls; reaching 14.4 lakh girl students through leadership training, counselling, and self-defence programs. With over 12,000 schools in 684 districts, Vidya Bharati is one of India's largest educational networks. It runs 8,000 non-formal centres, and reaches 35.33 lakh students with the help of 1.53 lakh teachers. At the heart of the model lies the blend of modern learning — like AI, robotics, and coding via 507 Atal Tinkering Labs — and Bharatiya Darshan, including yoga, Sanskrit, and moral education. 'We're shaping students to be both globally competitive and culturally grounded,' Sharma said.
