Recently, while preparing a talk on the education-related promises made by political parties in Tamil Nadu, I read the manifestos of several established parties as well as a new entrant. I was genuinely impressed by the importance they attached to education.

Ambitious vision

Most parties present ambitious visions for the sector. Their proposals include technology-driven learning, skill development, education loans, and job-oriented training. At the same time, they emphasise inclusive access, welfare measures, financial assistance, dropout prevention, and affordable higher education, especially for socially and economically disadvantaged groups. Taken together, these ideas reflect a common recognition that education is not only a basic right but also a powerful means of social and economic progress.

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As Keats wrote in Ode on a Grecian Urn, “Heard melodies are sweet, but those unheard are sweeter.” Political promises, too, can sound attractive and inspiring. Yet what follows after a party comes to power is not always sweeter; at times, it can be quite the opposite.

If implemented sincerely, however, these promises could make Tamil Nadu a model for the rest of India. This raises a crucial question: who will head the Ministry of Education? Political parties rarely tell voters who will serve as Education Minister if they came to power.

Recent developments have made this question even more significant. The appointment of Mr. A. Rajmohan as Tamil Nadu’s School Education Minister sparked controversy over his educational qualifications. At the national level, several opposition leaders and members of the public have demanded the resignation of Union Education Minister Mr. Dharmendra Pradhan due to the cancellation of the NEET-UG 2026 following alleged leaks of the question paper and criticism of the government’s handling of exam-related irregularities.

Qualities required

We often discuss the qualifications and qualities required to become a teacher and the role teachers play in shaping society. However, rarely do we reflect on the qualities required of an Education Minister or the role such leaders play in shaping society through policymaking. Nor do we sufficiently examine what contemporary education leaders can learn from outstanding Education Ministers in India and abroad.

What makes a good Education Minister: broad vision or high academic qualifications? This is a false binary. In today’s world, the person heading the Ministry of Education must not only possess sound academic understanding but also administrative competence, integrity, and a forward-looking vision. Those who downplay the importance of formal qualifications often cite the example of former Tamil Nadu Chief Minister K Kamaraj, who reportedly studied only up to Std. VI. Yet he is remembered as one of Tamil Nadu’s greatest leaders because he understood the transformative power of education and worked tirelessly to expand access to schooling. His life demonstrates that vision, commitment, and leadership can sometimes matter more than degrees alone.

Complex challenges

At the same time, the challenges facing education today are far more complex. Policymakers must grapple with issues such as educational equity, curriculum reform, digital learning, and the changing demands of society. To lead effectively in such a context, an Education Minister must combine intellectual competence with integrity, administrative skill, and a deep commitment to public education.

A good Education Minister should understand society’s long-term needs, implement reforms effectively, ensure that education reaches rural and marginalised children, respect educators and experts, consult them meaningfully, and translate ideas into functioning systems.

Two names immediately come to mind as inspiring examples of education leaders who used education as a tool for social transformation. Maulana Abul Kalam Azad, India’s first Education Minister, laid the foundations of the nation’s academic and scientific infrastructure and played a key role in establishing institutions such as the IITs and the UGC. Paulo Freire, best known for Pedagogy of the Oppressed, served as Education Secretary in São Paulo, Brazil, where he attempted to translate his philosophy of critical pedagogy into concrete educational reforms. Both demonstrated conviction, commitment and courage.

An Education Minister is not just a political figure, but someone responsible for shaping the future of a generation. At a time when society is facing rapid technological changes, growing inequality, and complex educational challenges, India needs Education Ministers who possess vision, empathy, academic knowledge, administrative skill, scientific temper and a genuine interest in education. Only such leadership can make education a true force for social progress.

The writer is an ELT resource person and education columnist. Email rayanal@yahoo.co.uk