Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the G20 Education Ministers’ Meet in Pune via video message, emphasizing the need for quality education, strong governance, and lifelong learning opportunities. The agenda is designed to elevate global learning standards while preparing students and professionals for a rapidly changing world.
G20 Education: The Foundation of Civilization and the Future of Humanity
PM Modi reminded that education is not only the foundation of civilization but also the architect of humanity’s future. He referred to the Ministers as “Sherpas,” guiding nations toward development, peace, and prosperity.
To begin with, the Prime Minister welcomed the G20’s focus on green transition, digital transformation, and women’s empowerment. Moreover, he stressed that education remains at the core of achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Therefore, he called for an inclusive, action-oriented, and future-ready education agenda.
India’s Holistic Approach to Education
Reciting a Sanskrit shloka, PM Modi underlined that true knowledge leads to joy, worthiness, and success. He highlighted India’s model of combining foundational literacy, digital tools, and lifelong learning pathways.
Key Government Initiatives for Quality Education:
- Nipun Bharat Initiative – Strengthening foundational literacy and numeracy, aligning with G20 priorities by 2030.
- SWAYAM (Study Webs of Active-learning for Young Aspiring Minds) – An online platform with 9,000+ courses from Class 9 to PG levels, registering over 34 million learners.
- DIKSHA Portal – A multilingual digital platform offering learning in 29 Indian and 7 international languages, with 137 million course completions to date.
PM Modi affirmed India’s willingness to share these resources and experiences, especially with the Global South.
Preparing Youth for the Future: Skilling, AI & Lifelong Learning
The Prime Minister urged G20 nations to prioritize skilling, reskilling, and upskilling the youth to keep pace with evolving job markets. He highlighted that India’s Education, Skill, and Labor Ministries are collaborating on skill mapping, suggesting this approach be adopted globally.
Digital technologies, especially Artificial Intelligence (AI), were emphasized as tools that can revolutionize learning, skilling, and innovation. PM Modi cautioned that while AI offers great potential, the G20 must also address the challenges of access, ethics, and balance.
Encouraging Innovation in Education: Atal Tinkering Labs
India has established 10,000 Atal Tinkering Labs, enabling school students to explore innovation and research. Over 7.5 million students are already working on 1.2 million+ innovative projects, symbolizing India’s belief in “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – One Earth, One Family, One Future.”
Conclusion
PM Modi reaffirmed that education, lifelong learning, and governance are the cornerstones of progress. By embracing digital technology, innovative pedagogy, and strong skill-based programs, the G20 can create a future-ready education system for all.
(Source: OTV News)
