To commemorate five years since the release of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Centre for Civil Society convened a focused webinar on one of its most transformative provisions—Chapter 8: Efficient Resourcing and Effective Governance.
This session brought together eminent educationists, researchers, and policymakers to assess how the recommendations of Chapter 8 have been interpreted and implemented across states. With a spotlight on issues such as regulatory separation, school autonomy, and decentralization, the conversation examined whether India’s current school governance structure aligns with NEP’s vision of institutional efficiency and functional clarity.
Key discussions explored the establishment and functioning of State School Standards Authorities (SSSAs), the role of school clusters, and the empowerment of local governance bodies. Panelists reflected on the structural and political barriers hindering effective implementation and shared cross-sectoral insights to shape a more accountable, decentralized, and outcome-driven school governance framework.
Through this dialogue, the webinar aimed to foster actionable recommendations that can guide both national and state-level education reforms in the years to come.
Speakers
Moderator
Dr. Amit Chandra – CEO, Centre for Civil Society
Opened the session with a sharp framing of NEP’s Paragraph 8.2, emphasizing the foundational role of governance in achieving meaningful education reform.
Keynote Address
- Gurcharan Das – Author & Public Intellectual
Reflected on the moral purpose of education and why governance must serve the child, not the system.
Panelists:
- Dr. Geeta Gandhi Kingdon – University College London
Highlighted the importance of separating regulatory, operational, and assessment functions in school systems.
- Dr. Leena Wadia – The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health, Sciences & Technology
Advocated for local autonomy and cautioned against re-centralization through school clusters.
- Kapil Khurana – Central Square Foundation
Discussed the overlaps in governance across states and the need to revise existing education laws.
Pranati Panda – National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration (NIEPA)
Spoke on linking governance with teacher development, recruitment transparency, and academic leadership.
Why This Matters
Five years on, the NEP has sparked important conversations across the education landscape. But real change depends on how policies are implemented on the ground. This webinar was a space to revisit NEP’s vision, assess what has shifted, and identify the structural reforms still needed to unlock autonomy and outcomes in school education.
