Following Dharmendra Pradhan's exit from the Union Education Ministry, students participating in ongoing protests in the national capital have expressed
hope that the new education minister, Prahlad Joshi, will prioritise long-pending issues, including examination reforms, affordable education, and improvements in government schools. As reported by PTI, several students associated with the protests said the leadership change should mark the beginning of systemic reforms rather than merely a change of faces. They called for greater transparency in the examination process, increased investment in public education, and better facilities for students preparing for competitive examinations. Students Demand Systemic Education Reforms According to PTI, Raj Yadav, a protester from Ghaziabad who has been part of the sit-in for nearly a month, urged the incoming minister to address shortcomings across the education system. He said comprehensive reforms are needed to improve how the education system functions and to ensure that students are not adversely affected by administrative lapses. Srishti, a Delhi resident from Laxmi Nagar, highlighted the growing financial burden of education. She said many students are forced to work to fund their studies, making issues such as examination irregularities and paper leaks even more devastating for aspirants. According to her, the government should focus on appointing adequate teachers in schools, making education more affordable, and strengthening skill-based learning, particularly in government institutions. Focus on Government Schools, Competitive Exams Vikram Chaudhary from Rajasthan said reforms should begin at the primary education level. He called for better-quality education in government schools, an increase in the education budget, and improved facilities for students preparing for examinations such as UPSC, NEET, and JEE, reports PTI. He also raised concerns over the rising cost of education, describing it as a pressing issue that requires government intervention. Meanwhile, Shaurya, a Class 11 student preparing for NEET, said the ministerial change has renewed his confidence that examination-related issues can be addressed effectively. He expressed hope that incidents like paper leaks will not recur under the new leadership. Other students echoed similar concerns. Gaurav Tomar from Uttar Pradesh said education should be treated as a fundamental right rather than a commercial enterprise. He called for strengthening primary education and expanding skill development initiatives in government schools. Shravan Kumar from Rajasthan urged authorities to resolve recurring problems faced by students, including repeated re-examinations and the allocation of examination centres in remote locations. The students said they expect the new education minister to translate these concerns into concrete policy measures that improve access, affordability and transparency in India's education system. (With inputs from PTI)
