SHILLONG, Sept 5 - Emphasis has been laid on quality education and research in the new National Education Policy (NEP) and professional faculty training has, therefore, become an important aspect to achieve this goal.
Several educationists and administrators of different universities said that implementing some of the objectives of the NEP would be a challenge in the years to come, in a webinar organised by the NEHU to celebrate Teachers� Day today.
The Director of the Indian Institute of Technology, Guwahati, TG Sitharam, said that the NEP has created an euphoria in the country as the policy has replaced the education policy after a long time since 1986.
The policy aims to transform the education system by 2040 with emphasis on an India-centric education system that contributes to the nation�s sustainability through �high quality education�.
�We are suffering from quality,� Sitharam said, adding that the NEP has brought in an important change by proposing to increase the funding for education in the country. He said that the expenditure for the education sector is going to be 4 to 6 per cent of the GDP�.
Educationist and professor of the National Institute of Educational Planning and Administration, K Ramchandran said that in the next 50 years, there would be a substantial investment on professional faculty training.
In the near future, PhD students have to undertake eight credit programmes in pedagogy to become assistant professors in higher educational institutions.
The Dean, School of Education, NEHU, C Nongbri said the teachers would become more of �facilitators and creators of a productive classroom environment and assist students in problem solving and critical thinking� in a change of role.
The Vice Chancellor of Mizoram University, KRS Sambasiva Rao, said that digital technology is important for the successful implementation of NEP and therefore, digital infrastructure has to be strengthened in remote areas of the region.
Meanwhile, 13 teachers received State awards and three bagged district awards for East Khasi Hills district on the occasion of the Teachers� Day.
Education Minister L Rymbui lauded the teachers of the State for their dedication and selfless service to provide quality education to students, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. He added that during implementation of the NEP, teachers would �face new challenges,� but expressed the hope that they would rise to the occasion and adapt themselves to face the challenges.
It was also announced that the board examinations would be conducted in the State with a truncated syllabus (by 30 per cent), the details of which would be available soon.
