Education must build responsible citizens, not just careers: Mandaviya

Speaking at the Education Summit 2026, Union minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya called for a fresh approach to the education system. He said clearly that the purpose of education is not just to produce good doctors, engineers, lawyers or scientists, but to prepare responsible citizens who are aware of their duty towards the country. He also stressed the need to change the thinking behind India's education system.

The minister said education today has been reduced to school, college, percentage of marks and the job one gets. Earlier, he said, education was seen as a shared responsibility of family, teachers and society. Expressing concern, Mandaviya said children must be instilled with the right values at every age, only then will the spirit of "Nation First" take root in them and enable them to become ideal citizens of the country.

Citing the example of road safety, he made an important point. The government spends thousands of crores of rupees building infrastructure to control road accidents, he said, but if children are taught the correct rules of crossing the road in school classes at a young age, many accidents can easily be prevented. He said the solution to major social problems does not come from money alone but from the right education given in the school classroom.

Quoting Acharya Chanakya, Mandaviya said the future of the country is shaped in the hands of teachers. According to him, teachers should set an example for students through their own conduct rather than merely giving sermons.

He also said that 60 percent of India's population is below the age of 35. To fulfil the dream of "Viksit Bharat 2047", he said, this young workforce needs not just clarity about careers but the right direction and guidance. For this, the government has created a platform called MY Bharat. Mandaviya ended by appealing to education sector experts to connect the youth with this mission of nation building.