Why in news?

• Professor Dinesh Prasad Saklani has been appointed as the new Director of the National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT).
• He has replaced Hrushikesh Senapaty, who finished his term a year ago.
• The new director has been appointed for a period of five years with effect from the date of assumption of charge of the post, or till he attains the age of 65 years, or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

Professor Dinesh Prasad Saklani:

• Professor Saklani has been awarded with Distinguished Academy Award by Punjab Kala and Sahitya Academy, Jalandhar for Historical writing in 2005.
• The new director is a member of the Academic Council of Uttarakhand Open University, Haldwani.

About NCERT

• The National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) is an autonomous organisation set up in 1961 by the Government of India to assist and advise the Central and State Governments on policies and programmes for qualitative improvement in school education.
• The major objectives of NCERT and its constituent units are to:
• Promote and coordinate research in areas related to school education;
• Prepare and publish model textbooks, supplementary material, newsletters, journals and develops educational kits, multimedia digital materials, etc. organise pre-service and in-service training of teachers;
• Develop and disseminate innovative educational techniques and practices;
• Collaborate and network with state educational departments, universities, NGOs and other educational institutions;
• Act as a clearing house for ideas and information in matters related to school education;
• Act as a nodal agency for achieving the goals of Universalisation of Elementary Education.