Taking a step forward in his vision for school education, Human Resource Development (HRD) Minister Kapil Sibal has set up a panel for revamping school education.

The 11-member panel, which is expected to be a five-year-long arrangement, will be fashioned like a mini-Central Advisory Board of Education (CABE) that will brainstorm, improve and analyse policy matters.

The panel, which met for the first time last week, not only has educationists but also private sector representatives in it.

Everything related to school education policy from teachers’ education to National Curriculum Framework and public private partnership have been included in the agenda.

“This is a long-term engagement which will deliberate on educational policy. Since it is a very representative panel, it is expected that there will be good diversity and openness in views and perspectives that will help evolve policy through dialogue. The panel will meet on a monthly basis,” said Dr Anita Rampal from the Central Institute of Education of the Delhi University.

The other members include Prof Krishna Kumar, Director NCERT, Anil Bordia Chairman, Foundation for Education and Development, Jaipur, Dr Devi Kar, Principal, Modern School, Kolkata, Arun Kapur, Director, Vasant Valley School, Rakesh Bharti Mittal from Bharti Foundation, Manju Bharatram, Chairman, Sriram Schools, Sailesh Shirali of Rishi Valley School, Cyrus Vakil of Mahindra United World College, Pune, Hars Sethi, Editor, Seminar and Harpal Singh from Fortis Group.

The first meeting deliberated on the Right to Education Bill and Public Private Partnership (PPP), with members suggesting that the Public Private Partnership be rechristened civil society partnership instead.