India has conquered space by sending probes into interstellar space but here the large segment of populations worldview remain unexpanded. Indians are still following traditional methods of schooling that has been in existence since time immemorial. This may change with the ‘NATIONAL EDUCATION POLICY’, with its vision to make a quality-driven educational system that can come as par with the International Educational Standards.
Prime Minister said this policy may create a shift to a ‘New India’ by teaching them ‘how to think’. As in this new era where information is available at a Fingers to reach, we need a system that doesn’t teach how to take in the facts but how to find things and produce his thought for the world.
There is a hot debate going on regarding the National Education Policy 2020 and even the academicians are of conflicting opinions. The question of autonomy is still not answered by the commission. There is growing concern over the edge towards privatisation in this policy.
PM said all the opinions on these policies will be heartily welcomed.
What Is National Educational Policy?
New National Education policy can be defined as a ‘Comprehensive Framework’ to guide the development of education. It is framed by ‘kothak commission’ headed by K. Kasthuriangan.
The aim of the National Education Policy is ‘developing modes of teaching by using methods of inquiry, discovery and analysis’.
The change in the educational system in India has always been slow-paced. The last Education Policy was framed 34 years ago.
Since the ‘Radhakrishnan Commission’ to ‘kothak commission’ there had been no groundbreaking policy reforms in the educational sector. The latest reform in the educational sector was when’ Right To Education Act ‘got passed and Education became a Fundamental Right guaranteed to children from 7 to 14 years.
What Is Contained In The New Education Policy?
New Education Policy consists of various policies that can change our whole educational system. It can change our education from ‘fact learning’ to the one that ‘sparks curiosity and imagination. It focuses on ‘mission mode’ of learning where Practical Learning is given more importance.
The main reforms in the policy are:
1The Education Ministry to be replaced by HRD:
The Education ministry which is at the charge of education presently will be replaced by Human Resource Development Committee.UGC(University Grants Commission)and AICTE(All India Technical Education)departments will be replaced by HEFA(Higher Educational Funding Agency)
2Till class five, mode of instruction will be in the mother tongue:
This reform aims to retain the root of culture in the minds of students. There will be also online courses for students in regional languages.
3Lowers stake of Board Exams: The Tenth, twelfth board exams will be replaced by assessment examination on third, fifth and eighth classes to reduce the burden of students and to decrease the dropout rate from fifth and ninth classes.
4National Testing Agency:
There will be a Common Entrance Test for students which will be conducted by National Testing Agency(NAT) for getting admission to any University in India. This may reduce pressure to get into the IIT s and IIM s.
5The structure of the system will be 5+3+3+4:
The Tenth Twelfth Board Exam system will be replaced by this structure :
5 year-Foundational Stage (3 to 8 age groups)
3 year -Preparatory Stage(8 to 11 age group)
3 year-Middle Stage(11 to 14 age group)
4 year-Secondary Stage(14 to 18 age groups)
6Increased support to Foreign University:
There is a great ‘brain drain ‘ for the country due to the migration of intellectual students to outside countries.
Setting up of Foreign University Campus may help to retain the students inside the country. Only the top 100 University will be allowed to come up.
7National Research Fund:
Creation of National Research Fund by joining all ministries. This will improve the Research mechanisms in India as there will be more funds.
M.phil programs will be discontinued and PhD.will continue with this policy. Any student passing the Four Year Undergraduate Program (FYU)can join the Research Program.
8Practical Experience:
Students from Sixth Standard onward would be given the chance to do internships, attend live program training and take online courses.
They can get Vocational Training on any subject and thereby improve their skills. There will be programs to develop coding skills from class 6 onwards.
9Four Year Undergraduate Program:
Through this program, students will be able to study multidisciplinary subjects. One subject for developing an idea and another subject can be chosen for upskilling themselves
10Promotion Of Private Investment:
Private investment will be promoted that have philanthropic intention.
There will be a collaborative synergy between higher secondary, neighbourhood and primary education.
Read the full Policy here:https://www.google.com/search?q=National+Educational+Policy+copy
When will New Education Policy Be Implemented?
It will be completely implemented by 2040. The education is a subject in ‘concurrent list’ and its effectiveness will be decided by the State Government. The power to decide and implement is on State Government.
The report will get finalised by the end of September. There is still hot debates going on regarding the national Education Policy’.
The Union Education Minister, Ramesh Pokhoidal with Education Ministry, Human Resource Development Committee, State Education Board, National Council For Education And Research, National Test Agency will jointly make a final report.
There will be a yearly joint meeting on the Policies effectiveness. There will also be effective Practical Training given for teachers.
Merits Of National Education Policy:
A change had come in Education Policy after so long year’s and this policy may be a long due, groundbreaking initiative by our Government.
This policy focuses on ‘practical learning’ and this may increase ‘Creative’, ‘Innovative’,’Critical ‘thinking in student.
The emphasis on improving ‘coding skills’, the provision of teaching in the regional language, increased promotion of foreign universities to set campuses in India are many welcoming and groundbreaking changes in this policy.
The ‘Early Education Care’ provision for the child from three years to eight years is something to be appreciated. The period of three to eight years is the most crucial period of a child’s growth.
Developing basic literacy and numerical skills at this age will surely help the child’s mental growth.
Criticism On New Education Policy:
There is also a highly critical view from the opposers regarding National Education Policy. Some states like Kerala have already shown disagrees regarding this Policy.
Opposers doubt this policy as a step towards ‘placing education in a market place’.They fear education being turned as a commodity.
This policy is viewed as a ‘policy suited for corporate needs’ by the opposers as there is a doubt on whether this move was for Privatising Educational Sector and for increasing Foreign Direct Investment.
This policy may lead to an increased establishment of Autonomous College and private schools and may degrade the quality of education.
They also doubt that Through privatisation of educational sector, Government may slowly exit from the play. They fear that This will deepen inequities in the educational sector as education will become an ‘expensive commodity’.
The availability of sufficient qualified teachers is a viable question here. For a ‘fast forward curriculum’ in this policy, we need good quality teachers and funding and training qualified teachers would prove to be difficult.
The lack of funding for a poor country like India will be the biggest problem here.
Vocational training may encourage students to follow hereditary occupations and may increase dropouts as the new policy focus on an ‘open school ‘ strategy with free entry and free exit.
Future Of National Education Policy
Rather than imposing this policy, it must be given to the academicians for choosing the best. State Governments, Boards and Universities should be given a choice to choose the best strategy.
We must be always ready to accept changes, especially in this fast-moving world. If we want India to be in the leaderboard countries, then the foundation must be strong.
A good foundation can only be laid with a well educated, qualified, enthusiastic young minds. For that, We need good, groundbreaking changes in the educational system.
Any policies that can bring progress to our country must be stimulated. Political, cultural barriers that hinder growth must be avoided.
We must be able to take in the best from this policy and avoid the negatives. There is a need for Open debate on this.
Lastly, We must always look forward, not backward!
This blog is written by Liyana Jabeen, Kannur University.
Visit our Instagram page @lawyergyan at this link.