Let's Talk About Education: Reimagining India's Future
In recent years, education has emerged as one of the most critical subjects of global importance. Conversations around the future often touch on technology, economic growth, and global competitiveness. But underlying all of these discussions is a simple truth: the foundation of any nation's progress is its education system. In Delhi, we understood this very early, and for over a decade, we worked tirelessly to reimagine what education could mean for every child.
When the Aam Aadmi Party came to power in Delhi, we were faced with a system that was under-resourced, undervalued, and often neglected. Government schools had, for years, been seen as the last resort for children from underprivileged backgrounds. The disparity between private and public education seemed unbridgeable. The idea that children from economically weaker sections could access the same quality of education as the wealthiest in society felt distant. We were told that changing this was impossible.
But our leaders Arvind Kejriwal and Manish Sisodia didn’t believe that. They believed that a child’s potential should not be determined by their family’s financial situation. They believed that with the right vision, commitment, and hard work, we could transform Delhi's education system into a model that would offer every child—regardless of background—an equal chance to succeed. And they set out to prove it.
Over the past decade, Delhi's education system has undergone nothing short of a revolution. AAP has redefined what is possible in government schools, transforming both their infrastructure and their pedagogy. They have created an ecosystem where students from the most humble backgrounds are achieving academic success that was once reserved for only the privileged few.
Delhi’s government schools, once associated with crumbling buildings and outdated resources, now boast world-class infrastructure. Classrooms are equipped with modern technology, schools have science labs, libraries, and even swimming pools. The teachers are no longer isolated in outdated practices; they were sent to the best institutions globally—Cambridge, Harvard, and beyond—to learn cutting-edge teaching methodologies. These educators have returned to inspire and uplift the next generation of students.
But infrastructure and teacher training alone were not enough. Education is fundamentally about outcomes. Today, Delhi’s government schools are producing better results than many private schools. For the past seven years, students from government schools have outperformed their peers in board exams, and thousands have successfully passed competitive exams like IIT-JEE and NEET, securing their places in the most prestigious institutions across India.
These results did not happen by chance—they are the outcome of a system that was built on the principle of equity. AAP implemented new curricula that went beyond rote learning, introduced ‘happiness’ classes to nurture emotional well-being, and launched initiatives like the Mega PTM (Parent-Teacher Meeting) to create a bridge between parents, teachers, and students. The Kejriwal Government even provided free coaching for competitive exams within our schools to ensure that students from financially challenged backgrounds could compete on an equal footing with their wealthier peers.
Through these efforts, Delhi’s education model has been recognized not only nationally but internationally as well. What AAP has achieved in the nation's capital is proof that public education can indeed be excellent, accessible, and equitable. But as with any great transformation, there is always more to be done.
While we can take great pride in what has been accomplished, we must not lose sight of the challenges that lie ahead. Education, as we know it today, must continue to evolve. The world is changing faster than ever before, driven by advances in technology and shifts in the global economy. The jobs of tomorrow may not even exist today, and the skills required to thrive in the future will be different from those needed now.
We must ask ourselves: are we equipping our children for the world of tomorrow? Are we preparing them not just to pass exams but to be problem solvers, critical thinkers, and innovators? These are the fundamental questions that must guide the next phase of educational reforms in Delhi.
The future demands a deeper understanding of subjects like coding, artificial intelligence, data science, and robotics. Beyond technical skills, students must learn adaptability, collaboration, and creativity—qualities that will enable them to navigate a world that is unpredictable and ever-changing.
At the same time, we must ensure that education remains rooted in values. Academic success alone is not enough; our children must grow into responsible, empathetic, and ethical citizens. The future of India depends not just on a skilled workforce, but on individuals who respect diversity, uphold democratic principles, and contribute positively to society. Education must, therefore, foster a sense of belonging, community, and purpose.
In light of these challenges, the way forward must be built on collaboration. Insofar, no education reform can be successful without the involvement of parents. Parents are the first teachers, the constant support system, and often, the most critical observers of their child’s development. Their insights into what works and what doesn’t are invaluable.
This is why the Aam Aadmi Party is now launching a special education-focused dialogue named ‘Shiksha Par Baat - Manish Sisodia Ke Saath’. Over the coming months, the Former Education Minister of Delhi will be meeting with parents across Delhi—one constituency at a time—to gather feedback on our education system. Through these dialogues, the party hopes to understand their experiences, listen to their concerns, and discuss how they can improve our schools even further.
The first ‘Shiksha Par Baat’ was held in Patparganj, where over 500 parents joined us to talk about the future of education. At these ‘Shiksha Par Baat’ sessions, Manish Sisodia will be asking parents to think about some key issues: How can we better prepare our children for a future shaped by technology? What new skills should we prioritize in our curriculum? How can we ensure that education remains a force for equality, not division? And how can we create a learning environment where every child—regardless of their socioeconomic background—feels empowered to achieve their dreams?
At AAP, we believe that education is not just a policy issue; it is a moral issue. It is about giving every child the opportunity to reach their full potential and contribute to society in meaningful ways. As we look ahead, we must recognize that the work of building an equitable, future-ready education system cannot be done by the government alone. It requires the active participation of parents, teachers, and the community at large.
The ‘Shiksha Par Baat’ initiative is a step toward that collaborative future. We invite every parent not just in Delhi but in the country to join us in this dialogue, to share their thoughts and ideas, and to be a part of shaping the future of education in our city. Together, we can ensure that the progress we have made over the past decade continues, and that our children are prepared not just for the challenges of tomorrow, but for the opportunities that lie ahead.
Let’s talk about education. Because the future of our children—and our country—depends on it.
