The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has launched a new initiative called “Shiksha Par Baat – Manish Sisodia Ke Saath,” led by former Education Minister Manish Sisodia. This initiative aims to engage parents in shaping the future of Delhi’s education policy by gathering their input and feedback.
Sisodia will be meeting with parents from various constituencies across Delhi to discuss the Delhi Education Model and the future direction of government schools in the capital.
In the first session held in Patparganj, more than 500 parents attended to express their appreciation for Sisodia’s work in transforming Delhi’s education system. Under his leadership, the city’s government schools experienced significant improvements, with public school results outperforming private schools for seven consecutive years.
Parents praised various initiatives introduced during his tenure, such as the modernization of school infrastructure, teacher training programs, and free coaching for competitive exams like NEET, JEE, and CUET.
Before the event, Sisodia invited parents to participate through a letter, where he reflected on his commitment to providing quality education for all children in Delhi, regardless of their socio-economic background.
He emphasised how AAP, under the leadership of Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, has worked tirelessly to ensure that the children of even the poorest families receive an education comparable to those studying in prestigious institutions.
In the letter, Sisodia recalled a conversation with Kejriwal from a decade ago when he was appointed Deputy Chief Minister. Kejriwal’s instructions were clear: to treat the education of every child in Delhi as if they were his own.
Sisodia shared how this approach shaped the policies and reforms that AAP introduced in the education sector, leading to remarkable results. He highlighted the success of students from underprivileged backgrounds, noting how Kejriwal’s son is studying at a top IIT, just like the child of a street vendor, thanks to the education system they helped build.
Sisodia emphasised the various measures taken to improve the quality of education, such as sending teachers and principals for world-class training, organising Mega Parent-Teacher Meetings (PTMs), and introducing new curricula.
He also mentioned the free coaching provided to students preparing for national exams like NEET, JEE, and NDA, which has helped thousands of students pass these competitive exams and pursue higher education in prestigious fields.
Reflecting on the continuous success of government schools, Sisodia expressed pride in the fact that for seven consecutive years, Delhi’s government school students have performed better than their private school counterparts.
He noted that many students who passed competitive exams like IIT-JEE and NEET were able to pursue careers in engineering and medicine, which had once seemed out of reach for them.
He credited Kejriwal’s honesty, vision, and hard work for helping children from poor families achieve their dreams through access to quality education. Sisodia pointed out that many of these students are now receiving the same level of education that was once only available to those who could afford expensive private schools and coaching centres.
Sisodia also addressed the challenges that still lie ahead, particularly the opposition from those who do not want all children to have access to good education. He warned of individuals who believe that providing quality education for everyone threatens the opportunities for their own children.
He urged parents to stay vigilant against this mentality and to keep such people away from positions of power that could undermine efforts to provide equal educational opportunities for all.
Looking ahead, Sisodia stressed the importance of preparing for the future by further improving the education system in Delhi. He highlighted the rapidly changing nature of the world due to technological advancements and the need to equip children with the skills required to succeed in the jobs of tomorrow. He called on parents to work together with the government to ensure that Delhi’s children are ready to compete on a global stage.
In his concluding remarks, Sisodia spoke about his personal commitment and efforts as Education Minister. He recalled his early morning visits to schools, where he would interact with students and teachers to understand their needs.
Whether it was constructing new buildings, hiring qualified teachers, or improving facilities like libraries and laboratories, Sisodia said he worked tirelessly to address these issues.
He also noted the development of sports facilities, including swimming pools and playing fields, as part of his efforts to create a well-rounded educational experience for students in Delhi’s government schools.