Col Shiv Choudhary (Retd)
The new education policy document called the ‘National Education Policy (NEP) 2020’was out on 29 Jul 2020 and it is receiving all the accolades it deserves. It was in Dec 2014 under Smiriti Irani as HRD Minister when the first media report said that the MHRD has decided to develop new NEP. Since then, it saw three HRD ministers, multiple secretaries, 2 expert committees and a huge consultation process.The TSR Subramanian committee developed the first set of recommendations and the K Kasturirangan committee developed the second set of recommendations. Unfortunately Mr. TSR Subramanian could not witness the final version of NEW due to his demise in 2018.
The NEP aims at universalization of education with 100% gross enrollment ratio, logical thinking, problem solving and application based learning. The main focus areas are play way and storytelling, insertion of language and science, abstract and multi language learning and multidisciplinary subjects with flexibility respectively at different stages. In nutshell the entire thought process of NEP hovers around fundamentals like creation of Rashtriya Shiksha Ayoga, increased use of technology with equity, multilinguism in schools and higher education, care for special educational zones for disadvantages, creation of gender inclusion fund, national research foundation, phasing out of affiliated system by 2035, 360 degree holistic progress cards, strict semester system, reversion of the drop outs and enormous additional seats in higher education, ECCEs as foundational literacy and use of experience.
Few important areas attracting special attention in the NEW2020 would be play way and storytelling, insertion of language and science, abstract and multi language learning, multidisciplinary subjects with flexibility respectively at different stages. The entire thought process will hover around fundamentals like increased use of technology with equity, multilinguism in schools and higher education, care for special educational zones for disadvantages, creation of gender inclusion fund, national research foundation, PARAKH, respect for professionals, physical education, competencies, bring back the drop outs and additional seats in HEs. ECCEs as foundational literacy, regular credit system, syllabus based on core of the subject, mental learning, regular credit system and syllabus based on core of the subject, will be essential part of the long list of reforms.
The NEP has recommended bringing back focus on learning outcome with ‘light but tight’ regulation. One of the demerits of the Indian education system for long has been its compartmentalization with streams such as arts, commerce, and science with almost no flexibility of shifting from one stream to another. The NEP has recommended multidisciplinary curriculum design studies giving students the choice to study subjects of one stream with another. Also, the multiple entries and exit points in higher education empower students to plan and take courses in a flexible manner that suits them the most by exercising option for a certificate or diploma.
NEP has recommended separate independent autonomous bodies for the specific roles in the administration of school education as well as higher education. This would completely change the regulatory architect of education; bring specialization, increase accountability and transparency in the system.
Another missing piece of our public education system was the absence of early childhood education. This gap was addressed in pvt. schools with the introduction of kindergartens but the public education started from the age of 6 years with an entry in class 1. With NEP in place, the education will start at the age of 3 years with 3 additional years of early childhood education by revamping. The current arrangement of 10+2 systemin schools will be replaced by 5+3+3+4 corresponding to ages 3-8,8-11,11-14 and 14-18 years of age respectively. The NEP has also emphasized on vocational and creative education in school years and research in higher education.
So far all the different roles such as planning, implementing, monitoring and funding were done by the Ministry of Education which had enough inherent scope for internal fudging.The old model where UGC was controlling grants and accreditation and AICTE’s existing role diminishes which indeed is good. It also opens a window for foreign universities to step in to meet the aspirations of students to study abroad and save billions. This could pave way for India to become an education hub for Asia and South Asia.
While the NEP has some undoubtedly path breaking recommendations, it still has few shortfalls which need prompt redressal. It misses to capture the aspirations of parents due to deteriorating standard of education in Government schools. The parents’ aspirations for quality education is changing and they are choosing fee-charging pvt. schools over free public schools. Between 2011 to 2018, student enrollment in public schools fell down by 2.4 cr but increased by 2.1 cr in pvt. schools. Interestingly, Kids of almost all education ministers go to pvt. schools.
NEP focuses on pedagogy while repeating the mistake of designing teacher centric policy instead of students. With the lack of competency, motivation, accountability and incentives to perform, the efficient ones remain unutilized. This is in spite of secured jobs, no salary cuts and reasonable investment on infra and limited training.
The new policy reflects an image of ‘I know and I can fix it all’. The world is changing fast as are the nature of work and life. The best of today will be redundant tomorrow. The NEP needs to create a system which puts itself on an ‘auto pilot’ mode with liberty to changing its curriculum, pedagogy and technology, and integration simultaneously. Mr Gurucharan Das too stressed upon these two aspects.
Investment at 6% of GDP was thought of earlier too but the capacity was missing. Every penny spent must show discernible ROI in the form of clear cut performance and success. Imagine an average amount of Rs 7000 pm per child is invested by the Delhi Government but class II students find it difficult to solve basic math. The status in other states too will not very different either. The bigger issue is state like Delhi having healthier GDP with fewer students than UP state and Uttrakhand spending near 93% on salary only. NEP has failed to appreciate the need for operating educational institutes by charitable organizations to avoid making profit and keep the sacred job of providing education unclean.
NEP could have probably looked at uncertainties like Covid19 or a ‘force majeure’ leading to abrupt halting of education institutions, dawning of virtual learning and massive salary issues in pvt schools in future. Today, there is a long list of litigants involving parents, teachers, students, school management and states over salary and tuition issues. It is a tough call keeping in mind 5 lakh pvt. Schools but fund like education cess could be used as a financial stimulus for a limited period.
The stipulations on language(s) up to class V is universally accepted and same was there during 1968 too.This is going to create practical problems and confusion at state level. Parents prefer pvt. schools due to English while UP state stresses upon hindi, Tamil Nadu making it a political issue and CM of Andhra Pradesh converting some State Government schools into English medium. Goa too has already converted many of its Konkoni schools to English.
All good things must be appreciated but ultimately the education being a state subject, its implementation will depend upon the states. One size may not fit all with varying resources, students’ population and politics. Bengal has already ordered a separate committee while it is embroiled into a political issue in Tamil Nadu. Delhi pending it for now. Perhaps flexible optional package for a group of 3-4 states and UTs with similar resources could have been thought of.
There is always a possible solution for every problem. In this regards the HRD Minister has already sought suggestions. Governments should focus on quality education at affordable price and out rightly assist pvt. sector to promote quality education especially in rural areas.There should be common and uniform curriculum for all with an option to select general/basic or advanced/standard subjects. This will lead to no lower or higher categories in education. A good start has been made through NEP 2020 and enough has been written too. Hopefully this NEP will benefit one and all.
feedbackexcelsior@gmail.com
Follow our WhatsApp channel