Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Friday (January 9, 2026) chaired a consultative meeting with representatives of State governments and experts on the next phase of the Centre’s Samagra Shiksha school education programme, with the Minister noting that it was “essential to once again entrust schools to society” so that the holistic development of students can be promoted and their access to knowledge expanded through “meaningful integration of technology”.
At the meeting held in Delhi, which was co-chaired by Skills Development Minister Jayant Chaudhary, discussions focused on best practices, emerging challenges, and priority interventions needed to strengthen school governance, infrastructure, teacher training, and student entitlements.
Officials told The Hindu that the Union Education Ministry suggested to increase public participation in school management committees, whereas State representatives sought additional support for teacher training and capacity building as they were having difficulties achieving the State objectives of the ongoing second phase of the Samagra Shiksha programme. Mr. Pradhan said that while salaries of teachers and systems should be the responsibility of the government, operation of the schools themselves should be the responsibility of society.
