New Delhi, Feb 26 (.) Delhi’s Education Minister Ashish Sood has said that the government is working with “scale and speed” to convert the capital city from a degree-distribution centre to a knowledge centre of the country. He asserted that the phase of instability is over and the government is focusing on balanced and holistic development of schools, colleges, technical universities and research institutions.
The minister dedicated newly constructed Student Facility Centre and laid the foundation stone for an Indian Knowledge Tradition Centre and sports facilities lounge at Maharaja Agrasen College in East Delhi’s Vasundhara, one of the fully-funded colleges of Delhi government.
He also dedicated a Multimedia Seminar Hall, five Smart Classrooms and launched an RFID-enabled Library Management System in the college library.
A delegation of 12 principals from Delhi University colleges fully funded by the Delhi Government also attended the event and felicitated the Minister for resolving their long-pending issues.
Officials said that for nearly a decade, these colleges had faced disruption in academic functioning due to lack of government grants.
Addressing the gathering, Sood said the Delhi Government is committed to strengthening higher education through modern infrastructure, technological empowerment and promotion of India’s knowledge traditions.
He said the Student Facility Centre will provide a comprehensive academic environment, while the Indian Knowledge Tradition Centre will create opportunities for study and research in Indian knowledge systems, culture and traditions.
“The Smart Classrooms and RFID-based library system are expected to enhance the quality of teaching-learning processes and provide seamless digital services to students,” the minister said.
Assuring financial stability, the Minister said no higher education institution in Delhi will face a fund crisis and no teacher’s dignity will be compromised.
He added that no student will suffer due to infrastructure gaps, and inherited challenges will be resolved with a mission-driven approach.
Sood said several institutions had suffered in the past due to lack of funds, salary delays and infrastructure shortages.
Highlighting future plans, he said the government is working with “scale and speed” in the education sector. Around 7,000 classrooms for students of Classes 9 to 12 will be converted into Smart Classrooms in the next phase.
“Students will also be provided opportunities for educational tours and internships after examinations,” the minister added.
He said Delhi’s education model will be expanded across the capital, covering DU colleges, technical institutions, polytechnics and research centres in an integrated manner. “The goal is not to make Delhi a degree-distribution centre but a knowledge-production centre,” he said.
Reassuring teachers and staff, Sood said they are pillars of the education system and not subjects of policy experimentation. Issues such as delays in promotions, pension-related concerns and salary uncertainties will be addressed. . PKJ KK