The University Grants Commission (UGC) has issued a directive to all Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) in India, emphasizing the integration of voter education and electoral literacy into the academic framework.
This initiative aims to prepare students for active participation in the electoral process.
In an official notification, the UGC says, “”This is in continuation of the UGC letter of even number dated 19th December, 2023. As you are aware, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Ministry of Education and the Election Commission of India (ECI) on 2nd November, 2023 to incorporate voter education and electoral literacy formally into the University/ College education system to prepare future and new voters for greater electoral participation. The Higher Education Institutions are requested to take necessary steps for operationalisation of the provisions of this MoU by making it an integral part of their functioning.”
Key initiatives under the MoU
As part of this initiative, the Department of School Education and Literacy (DoSEL) and the Department of Higher Education (DoHE) have been tasked with several critical activities:
- Curriculum Integration: Voter education and electoral literacy will be integrated into the curriculum of colleges and universities, tailored to various disciplines with appropriate credit and instructional hours.
- Textbook Updates: The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) will update its textbooks to include content on electoral literacy, with guidance provided to State Education Boards and other relevant organizations.
- Teacher Training: Teachers will receive orientation and training to effectively deliver electoral literacy content in classrooms.
- Mainstreaming Electoral Education: Voter education will be incorporated into teaching, learning, and assessment methods. Additionally, it will be included in pre-service teacher education courses.
- Adult Education Inclusion: Electoral literacy will be a part of the curriculum for adult literacy and basic education programs, with educational materials developed for lifelong learning.
- Monitoring and Evaluation: There will be regular monitoring of the electoral literacy programs across schools, colleges, and universities at both national and state levels to ensure adherence to non-political and non-partisan collaboration.
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Source: Education Times
