NCERT Signs MoU with Election Commission to Promote Electoral Literacy

The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT), in collaboration with the Election Commission (EC) and the Ministry of Education, has embarked on an important initiative to combat voter apathy, particularly among the youth. The partners have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the objective of introducing electoral literacy into the educational institutions of India.

Empowering Future Voters: The MoU outlines plans to integrate voter awareness into the national curriculum, targeting students from Classes 6 to 12 in schools, with future expansion to colleges and universities. This initiative aims to instill a sense of civic responsibility and awareness of the importance of participating in elections among students.

According to the Ministry of Education, this innovative approach will ensure that students "learn about their future role and duties as voters in the election process."

Beyond the Classroom: The initiative also seeks to extend the EC's Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation (SVEEP) program to schools and colleges. The partners will work on enhancing the institutional framework to incorporate electoral literacy into the education system. This framework will incorporate structured curricular, co-curricular, and extracurricular activities designed to engage students on issues related to effective voting.

The MoU's objective is to "capture the attention of young minds and educate them about the significance and value of their vote."

Addressing Voter Apathy: Despite a voting percentage of 67.4 percent in the 2019 General Election to Lok Sabha, a staggering 297 million out of 910 million eligible voters chose not to exercise their right to vote. This partnership is designed to bridge the information gap among the youth and first-time voters, empowering them to make informed choices and participate in the democratic process.

India boasts one of the world's youngest populations, and engaging young people in the electoral process is crucial for a vibrant democracy. The MoU is aimed at instilling electoral literacy in young individuals through educational institutions, ultimately leading to increased electoral participation in the future.

Expanding Horizons: While curriculum enhancement is a vital aspect of this initiative, the MoU also considers teacher training to effectively impart electoral literacy and the establishment of Electoral Literacy Clubs (ELCs) in educational institutions. Additionally, there are plans to provide voter ID cards to every student upon reaching the voting age of 18. This comprehensive approach aims to empower students to become responsible, active citizens who understand and value the power of their vote.

This collaborative effort between the NCERT, EC, and the Ministry of Education holds the potential to create a more informed and engaged generation of voters, ensuring the strength and vitality of India's democratic processes for years to come.