Emphasizing the shift from “herd mentality” to creative and innovative thinking, the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 laid the foundation for a ‘New India’ of the 21st century.
Addressing a conclave on Transformational Reforms in Higher Education under the NEP, Prime Minister stated that there had been no major changes in the education system for many years, resulting in the promotion of a “herd mentality” in Indian society instead of the values of curiosity and imagination. He stated that “So far, the focus has been on ‘what to think” and now, the NEP emphasises a shift in approach to focus on ‘how to think’ instead.”
In order to encourage students to participate in the classroom learning process out of their own interest, prime minister called for modes of teaching based on inquiry, discovery and analysis. The conclave is being hosted by the Education Ministry and the University Grants Commission (UGC).
How will the new guidelines be implemented?
Whilst talking about the NEP, Education Minister stated that it would be implemented in a “mission mode”. Similar webinars would be held in every State over the next two months so that the process of implementation would be decentralised. By September-end, there would be a complete strategy, road map and determination of resource allocation for State-wise implementation.
It is worth noting that the NEP’s focus on employability and vocational education will start being implemented immediately through undergraduate degrees with embedded internships and apprenticeships. The UGC released guidelines for such degree programmes at the conclave, stating that a minimum of one semester could be spent at the workplace.
Claiming that there was no bias in the policy, the Prime Minister welcomed the “healthy debate” that was on across the country over various aspects of the NEP. One area in which there were extreme divergent views was autonomy, where one approach was to emphasize government regulation coupled with a mistrust of non-governmental players, while the other was to assume an entitlement of autonomy.
Prime Minister stated that the future of quality education lay midway between these schools of thought, with greater freedom and autonomy to be offered as a reward to institutions providing better quality education, providing an incentive for improvement.
Another area of debate he touched upon was on using the mother tongue as the medium of instruction until Class 5. This approach was necessary to make global citizens who were rooted in their culture.
Mr. Modi also pointed to the NEP’s move allowing foreign universities to set up campuses in India as a way to retain talent in the country. The multiple entry and exit options for undergraduate degrees, and the holistic, multidisciplinary approach that replaced the rigid stream system would result in a workforce geared for modern times, with the necessary flexibility for upskilling and reskilling.
