Mangal Prabhat Lodha Urges Schools To Adopt Local Municipal Schools, Promote Skill Education And Build A Drug-Free Mumbai

Mumbai's Skill Development and Employment Minister, Mangal Prabhat Lodha, urged educational institutions and experts to take up the cause of at least one local municipal school in their community. Speaking at the Economic Times Great India School Summit, Lodha stressed the need for educational organizations to extend their influence beyond their own institutions and fulfill their societal responsibilities.

During a discussion with leading education sector representatives, he called for schools to offer expert guidance, introduce modern learning resources, and send teachers to adopted schools monthly to share educational practices.

Lodha's emphasis was on skill development under the new National Education Policy, emphasizing the importance of introducing various skills from a young age to build students' confidence and respect for labour-intensive jobs. He stressed that skill education is key to changing societal perceptions of blue-collar professions. Lodha also highlighted that education encompasses values, culture, traditions, heritage, and self-confidence, not just exams, marks, and degrees.

The minister discussed the evolution of India's education system, noting its rich legacy of skill development, values, and a practical approach learned under British rule. The current National Education Policy, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, aims to strengthen this heritage by blending it with modern skills and technology. Lodha is optimistic that the new education system will promote 'Viksit Bharat' by integrating skill-based education, Indian culture, values, self-confidence, and practical knowledge.

Additionally, Lodha called for collective efforts by parents, teachers, and counsellors to keep students drug-free, suggesting that schools form committees consisting of parents, teachers, and social organization representatives to promote awareness about avoiding substance abuse from an early age. He stressed that 'Drug-Free Mumbai' should become a social movement, not just a government initiative, involving schools, teachers, and parents in its collective efforts.