Smriti Irani’s ouster from the Union Human Resources Development Ministry (HRD) need not be seen as an early demotion in her political career. The decision to shift her to the Textiles Ministry, in fact, could have been taken by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and BJP president Amit Shah in view of the upcoming Assembly elections in Uttar Pradesh.

Irani is widely considered as one of the most probable candidates for the CM’s post in UP and by being in the low profile Textiles Ministry, she may be able to devote more time to UP.

However, having spent two years at the helm of HRD ministry and not managing to do something substantial, save a few controversies, Irani has certainly missed out on an opportunity that rarely anyone among the billion population of India can ever dream of – of becoming HRD minister of the country after passing 10+2.

Amid the euphoria of Modi’s magical victory in the 2014 General Elections, Irani’s appointment as the HRD minister brought ridicule to the new government from many quarters. But with her confidence or “jumlas” as twitter trolls would say, she did manage to win over followers and even kept her critics away.

But as they say, actions not mere words are judged in the end. When the former TV actor now moves to the Textiles ministry, some may claim she has got the best ministry suited to her “profile”.

However, even the most sincere of her critics would regret her tenure, not for her holding the coveted post for two years, but for her inability to make some progress in revamping the stagnating school system of India. And who could have done that better than the one who herself couldn’t pursue much education after 10+2 and yet managed to become a household name, a passionate orator.

Scores of children in our schools are getting blemished everyday through learning by the rote and following, or rather by being forced to follow, peers who have done the same. So much so that the significance of 10+2 has been limited to mere certification – for being eligible to appear in certain exams, apply for certain jobs and study in colleges. Interestingly, schools prepare most of the students in a way that they have to start learning same school text books again after passing out if they ever sincerely try to appear for several competitive exams. For example: IAS coaching institutes charge a good sum of money for re-teaching NCERT books of class VI-XII.

The 10+2 pass HRD minister had the opportunity to take on this challenge and take actions to correct it or at least make it a matter of national debate, with the same passion she tried for other issues. A golden chance missed, the country now hopes some “prakash” as Javadekar takes over the HRD ministry.