Karnataka: Didn’t State Education Policy Committee seek input from citizens?

There is outrage over the State Education Policy (SEP) commission not seeking public opinion. Disappointment has been expressed by associations of parents. 

One of the agendas in the Election Manifesto of Congress was that they would draft a SEP which would be used in place of the National Education Policy (NEP). A committee was constituted on October 11th. The Former President of the University Grants Commission (UGC) headed the 15 member committee. 15 educational experts were part of the committee. The first meeting of the committee was held on November 2nd in the  Karnataka State Higher Education Council. 30 meetings have taken place so far. Important matters were discussed at the meeting which was held on January 18th. The final details of the report which would be submitted to the government were discussed. 

While the NEP was being drafted, opinion was sought up to a panchayat level. Citizens had an avenue to post their objections with regard to aspects of the policy. Suggestions had poured in from lakhs of citizens. However neither an email nor opportunity to meet with the SEP committee was made available. Important stakeholders did not participate in the decision making.