Global pedagogy, digital push, NEP reforms to transform state’s education, says Bhoyar

Nagpur: Minister of state (school education) Dr Pankaj Bhoyar on Saturday called for a future-ready education system that equips students to compete globally, while acknowledging operational challenges faced by schools due to regulatory overlap, staffing gaps and compliance delays.Addressing principals at the TOI Principals Conclave 2026 as the chief guest, Bhoyar described school heads as "architects of the future" and said the state govt was committed to systemic transformation in education. He said the focus was on academic excellence, global readiness, infrastructure strengthening and wider student exposure.Bhoyar pointed to initiatives such as memorandums of understanding with Cambridge to introduce international pedagogy for govt school students, and a climate awareness programme offering international certification. "Maharashtra is developing futuristic model schools. Talent exists everywhere, but opportunities do not. Our effort is to bridge that gap," he said.Referring to flagship programmes, Bhoyar said CM Vidnyan Vari would take students to institutions such as ISRO and NASA, while CM Digital Abhiyan would provide standard academic content on digital platforms. He added that the state board syllabus had been reformatted under the National Education Policy to align with national boards.During an interactive Q&A session, Bhoyar acknowledged concerns over multiple authorities and compliance delays. He said digitisation was underway to ease processes, admitting that the Shalarth ID rollout had faced difficulties. "That was a down moment, but we are strengthening it now," he said.On coordination with national boards, Bhoyar said CBSE and ICSE schools would be formally integrated into the policy framework. He also clarified that induction of BPed teachers would not lead to reduction of regular teaching staff and said age-related criteria would be reviewed. Bhoyar added that kindergartens were now being formally recorded by the govt.The minister said Maharashtra has 1.07 lakh schools, including around 65,000 govt-run institutions, and acknowledged manpower shortages despite 80% staffing being in place. He assured action on examination centre-related issues, RTE admission fraud cases and said training programmes would be extended to unaided schools.Govt schools are set for major infrastructure upgrades, with plans to develop ‘model schools' under the PM Shri Schools scheme. "The focus would be on holistic development, covering academic, physical and mental well-being of students," Bhoyar said.—BOX1Unaided schools to be included in teacher training: Bhoyar The state govt will amend rules to allow participation of teachers from unaided schools in govt-sponsored training programmes, Bhoyar said while responding to a question from Gunjan Sharma, principal of Guru Nanak Vidyalaya. "The department will be directed to ensure unaided schools are included in training programmes conducted by District Institute of Educational Training. This will benefit everyone," he said.He added that an MoU has been signed with Cambridge for teacher training. "State board and CBSE curricula are different, but under NEP there will be parity. While joint training is not possible at present, the focus is on upgrading teachers' skills," he said.BOXCBSE, ICSE schools to be part of district-level decisionsIn a major decision, education officials would be instructed to involve representatives of non-state board schools in discussions on matters affecting the institutions. Bhoyar said a circular will be issued to ensure CBSE and ICSE schools are included in the district-level decision-making processes. The assurance came after Nisha Saraf, director of Chanda Devi Saraf School, flagged that CBSE and ICSE schools were often blindsided by local education department circulars, particularly on holiday schedules.BOX: NASA trip approval soon Final approval is expected soon for a proposed trip to NASA in the US for 21 students who top the state-level science exhibition. "Such exposure will encourage curiosity and expand academic interests," MoS Pankaj Bhoyar said.