there have been unprecedented changes in all walks of life during the past two decades or so the formal education system tends unfortunately to restrict the mind to well laid and trodden paths that resist change and innovation we need to break free and redefine the purpose of education the tasks before educational institutions and the emerging role of the teacher learning would be an activity unrestricted by time space or mode it could be formal or informal standard curricula or learning decided by learners themselves learning would connect with life and living identifying and solving reallife issues and problems there are different learning styles which call for diversifying strategies focusing on constructive participation rather than passive instruction which lead to greater independence as learners there would be new relationships and new insights the system requires a comprehensive and continual assessment of a hierarchy of knowledge skills and attitudes through a variety of test and nontest techniques in an internationally accredited framework regular and intime feedback to all stakeholders would help in understanding each learners development as also in deciding future direction seamless lowcost and highquality internet connectivity is important to encourage newer forms of learning as also lifelong learning and innovation service providers have an important role here investment in education has to go beyond the government to new learning providers all would partner in a constant innovation process this would also ensure that learning is linked to opportunity creation and rewarding skill development drivers for a new policy each age has its own set of influences on the education system some of the major influences are briefly described below their impact on education should be reflected in any education policy 1 grand expressions of our cultural heritage the future of country depends on the foundations that are laid at home and in the school for learners who are the citizens of tomorrow they are to be familiarised with our rich cultural heritage and exposed to the changes that are taking place there is the need to strike a balance between continuity and change while cultural heritage provides a firm ground for confidence building the emerging contexts of growth and development in a global world need to be addressed so that the combination of the two result in harmonious growth and adjustment of the young learners education has the responsibility of preserving transmitting and enriching positive components of our composite cultural heritage in all fields architecture art and dance education literature medicine science spiritualism sports trade commerce warfare and so on students and adults should take pride in the contribution of india to the world in various fields since the shadow of macaulays minute still lingers a cultural revival an indian renaissance is therefore important 2 global opportunities and competition globalization is a term which has parallels in the past the most wellknown being renaissance in europe and perestroikaglasnost in russia renaissance led to explorations on land and sea resulting in colonisation and a surge in trade bringing