Educationists welcome new National Education Policy
| Date :31-Jul-2020 |
Principal Correspondent :
After 34 years the Government introduced changes in the education policy. Now Modi Government introduced National Education Policy, 2020, before the citizens. It has made people curious as to what changes would it bring in academics? Considering that curiosity, ‘The Hitavada’ talked to some of the educationists in Nagpur to know their views. While welcoming the policy, most of them feel, the faster implementation of the policy is much needed.
Dr Manjushree Sardeshpande, Vice-President, Vidya Bharati Higher Education, Noida elaborated, “The thought of investment in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) gives best chance for children to grow up into good, moral, thoughtful, creative, empathetic, and productive human beings. It has addressed the learning crisis by increasing focus in school on foundational literacy and numeracy. Instituting National Tutors programme will enable high-quality peer tutoring among students.
Transformation of curriculum and pedagogy in order to minimise rote learning and instead encourage holistic development and skills such as critical thinking, creativity, scientific temper, communication, collaboration, multi-lingualism, problem solving, ethics, social responsibility, and digital literacy was indeed a very crucial need.” Prabhuraman, Principal of Saraswati Vidyalaya talked about challenges ahead. “As on now, the pre-primary schools are functioning as unorganised sectors under play school banner. When the inclusion of pre-primary classes are considered into mainstream of education, right from infrastructure to staff, intensive planning is to be made.
Under new education policy, the proposal is 5+3+3+4. Here before the child enters into Class 1, pre-schooling is proposed for 2 years which exists already. Though we achieve some results in higher classes, quality primary education is still a distant dream in our country. Pre-primary education may also face the same fate,” felt Prabhuraman. In every state, year after year more and more parents prefer English medium schools to educate their wards. In this context especially, only few schools in urban areas may perform better. Students of rural areas may not get the opportunity, added Prabhuraman. Pravin Datke, MLC and President of Nagpur city unit of Bharatiya Janata Party especially felt the need of having mother tongue as compulsory subject till the child enters Class VI. “This will not only help the child in having complete knowledge of mother tongue but also provide him help in learning other languages.
Secondly, it has also brought flexibility where students can have choice to opt music, while pursuing sciences. The students will not be burdened,” pointed out Datke. Prabhuraman says, “Option to select subjects may be granted to students but here also few essential subjects must be made compulsory. In the school-going age, students often select the subjects considering difficulty level or from the point of view of scoring marks.”
Dr Sanjay Kavishwar called the policy as revolutionary. “Though some changes give the feeling of superficiality, but it is not so. The policy recommended multiple exit option. This option will curb the dropout practice that is rampant in higher education. The respective States will be playing important roles and every State has different institutional architects. If it is implemented effectively then it would change the education scenario completely. Apart from adopting the policy we have to change our orientation.” “Though new policy is indeed a welcome step more focus on vocational and skill-based training right from the school level would have made youngsters ready-made products.
The goals set in NEP of 50% Gross Enrolment Ratio in higher education and 100% in secondary school are laudable, but when you realise it’s currently 25.8% in higher education and 68% in Class IX, the tasks seem daunting,” expressed Dr Anees Ahmed, former Cabinet Minister. “Having one regulator for all higher education, including the professional would remove several disparities. This education policy paves a way for a bright new future full of hope, enthusiasm, innovation and realisation,” pointed out Dr Manjushree Sardeshpande.