Pralhad Joshi calls for stronger BRICS cooperation to build resilient education systems

Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi on Friday called on BRICS countries to work together to address common challenges, saying issues such as resilience, innovation and sustainability cannot be tackled in isolation. Addressing the 13th BRICS Education Ministers' Meeting here, Joshi said India's BRICS Chairship is guided by the principles of resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability. "India's Chairship of BRICS is guided by building resilience, innovation, cooperation and sustainability," he said, adding that each of these pillars has particular relevance for the education sector.

Explaining the importance of resilience, Joshi said education systems must be capable of withstanding disruptions caused by pandemics, economic uncertainties, climate-related challenges and the rapid pace of technological change. On innovation, the minister said education systems cannot afford to remain static. "This is because the world around us is changing rapidly. Education systems must continue to evolve to meet the aspirations of each new generation and prepare our young people for opportunities that may not even exist today," he said.

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Emphasising the need for collaboration, Joshi said cooperation and sustainability are essential to effectively address shared challenges. "More of us can meet these challenges, but none of us can address them in isolation. The knowledge we create, the technology we develop and the institutions we strengthen must serve not only the present generation but also the generations to come," he said.

The meeting, being held under India's Chairship, is attended by ministers, senior officials and delegates from Brazil, Russia, China, South Africa, Indonesia, Iran, Ethiopia and the United Arab Emirates. The ministers are expected to deliberate on key priority areas, including early childhood care and education (ECCE), skill development, research and innovation, mutual recognition of academic qualifications, and academic leadership, officials said. Ahead of the ministerial meeting, the ministry of education hosted the 3rd BRICS senior officials' meeting under India's BRICS Chairship 2026 here on August 5.