Mentorship in Education is a Strong Foundation for Social Justice and Equal Opportunity: Finance Minister Choudhary
Raipur, 29 August
NITI Aayog organized a national consultation workshop in Raipur, Chhattisgarh on the theme “Fostering Mentorship in Education: A Pathway to Equity.” The objective of the workshop was to create a national framework through intensive discussion on the role of mentorship in making the education system more just and inclusive, in line with the spirit of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Experts, policymakers, and stakeholders shared their experiences to promote equity in education, reduce dropout rates, and connect youth with opportunities.
“Mentorship is the Key to Empowering Youth”: O.P. Choudhary
Speaking as the special guest, Finance Minister Mr. O.P. Choudhary emphasized that mentorship plays a decisive role in achieving equality and empowerment in education. He stated that the workshop is focused on school education, higher education, and skill development — and provides an opportunity to create a unified national framework that will help realize the vision of a developed India.
Highlighting Chhattisgarh’s demographic strength, he noted that while the average age of India is 28 years, in Chhattisgarh, it is just 24 — a significant advantage. “We must connect our youth to the economy so they can actively contribute to building a developed India,” he said.
Sharing his personal journey, Mr. Choudhary said, “I studied up to 12th grade in a village government school with very limited basic facilities. Even after 17 years of formal education, many youths still don’t have clarity about what to do in life. Career guidance and mentorship can bridge this gap.” He also emphasized the importance of education rooted in local language and culture, saying that children in regions like Bastar are deeply connected to forests and streams, and their literacy should align with that context. He praised NEP 2020’s focus on local dialects as a step in the right direction.
Drawing attention to challenges faced by government schools, Mr. Choudhary pointed out the declining community participation and advocated for adopting models like Navodaya Vidyalayas. He urged NITI Aayog to bring innovative practices from across the country onto a shared platform to ensure equity in education.
“Every Child Deserves Mentorship as a Right”: Dr. V.K. Paul
NITI Aayog member Dr. V.K. Paul stated that education is the foundation of human capital development, and every child should have equal opportunities. Citing national dropout statistics, he said that while enrollment in primary schools is at 93%, around 3% of children drop out before reaching upper primary. At the secondary level, only 56% continue, and merely 23% reach Class 12.
From 2019 to 2023, around 15,000 students from OBC, SC, and ST categories dropped out from central universities, and over 4,000 students left IITs and IIMs. “This is not just a personal loss but a national one,” he stressed.
Dr. Paul said that mentorship provides students with personal guidance, confidence, and life skills. “We need to change teachers’ mindsets, empower students, and use technology to ensure direct access. Toxic environments and substance abuse contribute to dropouts. Every child must be equipped with knowledge and confidence to face life’s challenges — it is their human right,” he said.
He added that India has a rich tradition of human-centered thinking, and we must build a system where every child receives mentorship. This, he said, is the path shown by NEP 2020.
The workshop was attended by several dignitaries, including Planning Department Secretary Mr. Ankit Anand, Joint Secretary of NITI Aayog Mr. K.S. Rejimon, NITI Aayog Fellow Dr. I.V. Subba Rao (Retd. IAS), Chairman of the National Council for Teacher Education Prof. Pankaj Arora, and Deputy Secretary of NITI Aayog Mr. Arvind Kumar, among other senior officials.