Chennai: The process of learning and educating is in the way of becoming more child-centric rather than exam-centric. Addressing the inaugural ceremony of the Ramanujan 125 birth anniversary held at the University of Madras, Centenary Hall on Monday,HRD minister Kapil Sibal said that the education system in India is witnessing a total reform.

Expressing his determination to do away with the cramming and examination-centric system, he said that they will lay more emphasis on skill development to unlock the creative talent within a child. A step has already been taken in this direction by introducing Comprehensive and Continuous Evaluation (CCE) system at the end of the year.

The Union Minister further added that the Endeavour of ministry is to build up an education system which promotes freedom, creativity, joy as well as awareness of cultural heritage.

Sibal also pointed out some challenges prevailing in higher education. Highlighting the high degree of inequality in the access of higher education he said that the ministry is looking forward to increase the current Gross Enrolment Ratio of 15% to 30% among those aged between 18 to 24 years.

Emphasizing on altering priorities in higher education among the upper section of the society, he said that jobs in the state sector had exhausted while informal and corporate sector had developed exponentially. Therefore, there has been reduction of the elite areas of social sciences, mathematics and humanities. Education system should be expanded around a clear understanding of history, needs, culture, competencies and endowments of India.

He expressed that government; business, academia, citizens, and civil society are required to work in coordination for focusing on education as the key enabler of social change, empowerment and inclusive development.

Admiring Ramanujan, he suggested that along the way, space should also be given to the uncharted journeys of those who seek to create, discover and conquer much like Ramanujan's journey. It will be a tribute to the genius whose task remained pending.