Begin typing your search above and press return to search.

NEP aimed to transform India into global knowledge superpower: Pokhriyal

By R Dutta Choudhury

GUWAHATI, Nov 29 - Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal has asserted that the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020 is aimed at transforming India into a global knowledge superpower. He also praised Assam Government for its action of issuing instruction to educational institutions to teach local language up to Class V. In an interview with The Assam Tribune, the Union Education Minister dwelt at length on various aspects of the National Education Policy. Following are the excerpts of the interview:

The Assam Tribune: How will the National Education Policy, 2020 help the students, right from pre-primary to post graduate level?

Ramesh Pokhriyal: From school education to higher education, NEP proposes the revision and revamping of all aspects of the education structure, including its regulation and governance, to create a new system that is aligned with the aspiration goals of 21st-century education, while remaining consistent with India�s traditions and value systems.

In school education, the policy focuses on overhauling the curriculum, �easier� Board exams, a reduction in the syllabus to retain �core essentials� and thrust on �experiential learning and critical thinking�. In a significant shift from the 10+2 structure of school education, the new NEP pitches for a �5+3+3+4� design corresponding to the age groups 3-8 years (foundational stage), 8-11 (preparatory), 11-14 (middle), and 14-18 (secondary) in two phases � grades 9-10 in the first and grades 11-12 in the second. This brings early childhood education (also known as pre-school education for children of ages 3 to 5) under the ambit of formal schooling. To help students learn as per their will, the new policy has introduced a holistic & multidisciplinary undergraduate education approach. It allows students with a flexibility to combine multi-disciplinary subjects along with integration of vocational courses. UG programmes can be of either 3 or 4 years. The new element is that students will be given �multiple exit options� & appropriate �certification� will be given to them within their graduation tenure. There will be introduction of academic banks along with four year undergraduate

degree.

In a nutshell, NEP aims at building an education system rooted in Indian ethos, thereby transforming India into a global knowledge

superpower.

AT: Is the Centre planning to hold periodical meetings with the Education Departments of the States on imple-mentation of the Policy?

RP: To achieve the goals and objectives of NEP 2020, Department of School Education and Literacy has prepared an indicative and draft implementation plan and Task-list linking each recommendation of NEP with tasks, responsible agencies to carry out the task, timelines and outputs. The major focus of this draft implementation plan is to define activities in such a manner that cohesive implementation and joint monitoring can be done by the Centre and States. The task list of 297 tasks prepared on the NEP recommendations has also been shared with the States, Union Territories and Autonomous Bodies for providing feedback.

Further, in order to ensure effective and efficient implementation of NEP 2020, the Department has set up theme-wise implementation committees under the chairpersonship of concerned Joint Secretaries. States/UTs have also been requested to set-up similar subject-wise implementation committees of experts, both to fine-tune implementation plans and to ensure implementation of the Policy as per the principles laid down in NEP 2020. In addition to above, a series of workshops have also been initiated with States and UTs since November 9 to address their concerns and also to discuss innovative ideas for NEP implementation. Regular review meetings will be conducted to see the progress of the implementation.

AT: Will it be possible to make at least one State language compulsory for school students?�

RP: I am pleased that Assam Education Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has passed the directive to teach students in vernacular languages up to Class five in the educational institutions operating in the State as per the National Education Policy, 2020. It is good to see that the recommendations of NEP are coming into action.

The NEP recommends that wherever possible, �the medium of instruction until at least grade 5, but preferably till grade 8 and beyond, will be the home language, mother tongue, local language or regional language�, to be followed in both public and private schools. Further, the policy has clearly mentioned that the three-language formula will continue to be implemented while keeping in mind the Constitutional provisions, aspirations of the people, regions, and the Union, and the need to promote multilingualism as well as promote national unity. However, there will be a greater flexibility in the three-language formula, and no language will be imposed on any State.

AT: States like Assam and the other North East States will have to augment educational infrastructure in a big way to fully implement the new policy. Will the Centre provide financial or other help to the States in this�regard?

RP: States and UTs have been requested to prepare 10-year projection report on the need for adequate resources in all schools, including infrastructure and other resources for children with disabilities, through efficient sharing of available school resources.

AT: Are the States of the North East properly utilizing the funds provided by the Centre for infrastructure development of educational institutions?

RP: Under different schemes of Ministry of Education (MoE), proper monitoring is being conducted to review of progress on regular basis.

Next Story