Remembering Abul Kalam Azad: 11 facts about India’s first education minister.
Azad became the youngest person to serve as the President of the Indian National Congress at the age of 35. Scroll down to read some interesting facts about the India’s first education minister.
Freedom fighter and India’s first education minister, Abul Kalam Muhiyuddin Ahmed Azad, was born on November 11, 1888. On his 128th birth anniversary, here are some interesting facts about the Indian scholar, freedom fighter, poet, journalist and enigmatic educator:
- Azad’s real name was Abul Kalam Ghulam Muhiyuddin who eventually became known as Maulana Azad
- He had adopted Azad (Free) as his pen name
- Azad started composing poetry in Urdu language at a very young age. He also wrote treatises on religion and philosophy
- He rose to prominence through his work as a journalist, publishing works critical of the British Raj and espousing the causes of Indian nationalism
- Azad became the youngest person to serve as the President of the Indian National Congress at the age of 35 in 1923
- Azad became the leader of the ‘Khilafat Movement’ (1919-26), during which, he came into close contact with the Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi
- During this period, Azad became an enthusiastic supporter of Gandhi’s ideas of non-violent civil disobedience and worked to organise the non-cooperation movement in protest of the 1919 Rowlatt Acts
- Azad became the most prominent Muslim leader to oppose the creation of Pakista
- He became the first Minister of Education in independent India
- His birth anniversary is celebrated as the National Education Day in India
- In 1992, he was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna.
Facts on the Education Minister of India
- Position and Responsibilities
The Education Minister of India, currently known as the Minister of Education, is responsible for overseeing policies, programs, and reforms in India’s education system. This role includes shaping primary, secondary, and higher education policies, ensuring accessible quality education, promoting research and innovation, and upholding standards across educational institutions nationwide. - Ministry’s Name Change in 2020
In 2020, the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) was renamed the Ministry of Education to better reflect its focus on developing and improving educational standards across the country. This change aligned with the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, which emphasized quality education, holistic development, and flexible learning pathways. - Implementation of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020
The Education Minister plays a crucial role in implementing the NEP 2020, one of the most comprehensive reforms in Indian education in decades. NEP 2020 introduces a new curricular structure (5+3+3+4), emphasizes vocational education, promotes mother-tongue instruction in primary schools, and focuses on digital literacy and critical thinking. - Promotion of Digital and Online Education
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Education Ministry has accelerated digital learning initiatives. Programs such as DIKSHA (Digital Infrastructure for Knowledge Sharing) and SWAYAM (Study Webs of Active-Learning for Young Aspiring Minds) were expanded to provide online education resources to students across India, making education more accessible. - Emphasis on Skill Development and Vocational Training
The Education Ministry has prioritized skill-based learning, aligning education with industry demands. Programs like Skill India and the integration of vocational courses into school curricula aim to prepare students with practical skills for various fields, addressing unemployment and supporting India’s economic development.