The Centre for Civil Society (CCS) successfully organized the 12th edition of the School Choice National Conference (SCNC) at the Silver Oak Hall, India Habitat Centre. Returning to its in-person format after a seven-year hiatus, the conference brought together a diverse group of over 150 participants, including policymakers, regulators, educators, and reform advocates.
The event, which featured 20 distinguished speakers, focused on establishing reform-oriented dialogues under the theme of “Education Governance Reforms in Policy, Practice, and Perspective.”
A Focus on Core Reforms
Continuing its tradition of shaping landmark conversations on school choice and autonomy, this edition of the SCNC centered on three pivotal reform ideas:
• Enquiry-based learning: Shifting away from rote memorization.
• New-age governance frameworks: Modernizing how schools are regulated.
• Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT): exploring financial efficiency in education.
Key Addresses and Vision for ‘Viksit Bharat’
The conference commenced with a video message from noted public intellectual Mr. Gurcharan Das, who set the tone for the day. He emphasized the critical need to cultivate curiosity within the education system and called for expanded accountability and transparency in school governance.
In his opening remarks, Dr. Amit Chandra, CEO of the Centre for Civil Society, reflected on the vision of a ‘Viksit Bharat’ (Developed India). He noted that achieving this vision demands urgent and structural reforms in education governance.
The Keynote Address was delivered by Mr. Baijayant "Jay" Panda, Hon’ble Member of Parliament. Drawing on his extensive experience in public policy, Mr. Panda argued for a shift towards outcome-based regulations rather than input-heavy mandates.
Policy, Compassion, and Implementation
The event saw a convergence of political will and social advocacy. Mr. Ashish Sood, Education Minister, Government of Delhi, stressed the importance of child-centric education backed by strong governance mechanisms. Adding a human rights perspective, Ms. Asmita Satyarthi, CEO of the Satyarthi Movement for Global Compassion, highlighted the need to embed compassion in the curriculum. She urged stakeholders to consider the social realities and vulnerabilities that shape a child's life to ensure meaningful learning.
Insights from Practitioners
The conference also featured insights from senior administrators and experts:
• Ms. Vedita Reddy (IAS), Director of School Education, Government of Delhi, advocated for greater autonomy and inclusive support, placing the teacher and the child at the center of all reform efforts.
• Dr. Sanyam Bharadwaj, Controller of Examinations, elaborated on how enquiry-based learning initiatives like SAFAL are enabling the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP). It was noted that the CBSE’s goal is to strengthen early-grade learning to ensure every child receives high-quality, competency-driven education.
• Dr. Jayaprakash Narayan, renowned Indian politician and activist, also attended the event, contributing to the high-level deliberations.
The conference concluded with a renewed momentum for education reforms, allowing stakeholders to build on shared experiences and chart a clear path for the future of education governance in India.
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