60th Meeting of Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE)

Ø CABE is the highest advisory body to advise the Central and State Govt. in the fields of education.

Ø Our minister said- the purpose of education should be to build an inclusive, fair, and just society. In a country as diverse and as large as India, the task of developing national policies while at the same time respecting and incorporating regional aspirations and an inclusive agenda of growth is indeed a real challenge.

Ø Education should lead to character building of our youth and also inspire them to work towards the task of nation building in addition to their work for employment/ self- employment.

Ø Minister also emphasized the importance of Teacher’s education as also the need to prohibit unfair practices in schools.

Ø Need for close cooperation in implementation of the RTE act.

Ø Higher education- consolidation of the initiatives undertaken during XI plan period- strengthening of the state institutions, faculty development, strengthening research and Innovation in Basic Sciences and Social Sciences, Skill Building and Vocational Education should be the critical focus areas.

Ø ensure that the provisions of the Constitution relating to establishment of educational institutions by Minorities should be respected in letter and spirit so as to ensure the educational development of minorities.

Ø CABE discussed the recommendations of the Justice Verma Commission and endorsed the recommendations of the Commission. CABE also approved the suggested Action Plan for implementation of the recommendations of the Commission.

Ø CABE noted the progress under the roll out of the RTE Act, 2009 which shows substantive efforts by the States and UTs to implement its various provisions.  CABE took note of the support extended by the Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan in augmentation of school infrastructure in order to meet the gaps in the opening of neighbourhood schools, recruitment of teachers and in improving quality of schooling. 

Ø CABE reiterated the need for the initiative to curb prevalent unfair practices in the school education sector including charging of capitation fees, misleading and non-transparent processes adopted by schools for admission of students in higher classes, appointment of ineligible and unqualified teachers and unanimously endorsed the proposed legislation.