NEP 2020 needs people’s movement

Metro India News | Hyderabad

The national educational policy 2020 is the first education policy of the 21st century and aims to address many growing developmental imperatives of our country. The NEP envisions an education system rooted in the Indian ethos that contributes directly to transforming India, that is Bharat, sustainably into an equitable and vibrant knowledge society, by providing high quality education to all and thereby making India a global knowledge super power. The teacher must be the centre of these fundamental reforms in the education system.

National Curriculum Framework for the Foundational Stage-2022 and National Curriculum Framework for School Education-2023 provides guidelines for holistic education by bringing a change in the way we educate by enabling a real change of practices on the ground through new text books, teacher`s hand books and digital learning material. New mandatory subjects are physical education and wellbeing, art education, skill education, computational thinking, artificial intelligence and individuals in the society apart from regular subjects.

Meaningful implementation should be guided by three considerations viz Principle, prioritization and critical engagement. Principle requires reforms to remain aligned with access, equality, quality, affordability, accountability and holistic education. Prioritization is necessary to sequence reforms according to foundational importance. Critical engagement requires governments and institutions to examine feasibility, evidence, local relevance and possible implications.

Education for children aged 3-6 and Anganwadis should be integrated into the school system. Appropriate training and support should be provided to Anganwadi workers and teachers. Art, physical education, vocational education and values based learning should be integrated with core curriculum at every stage through adequate timetable space, trained teachers, facilities and learning materials. The mother tongue should be prioritized in the early grades with adequately trained teachers, high-quality textbooks and digital resources.

Similarly the three-language formula should be implemented across State, CBSE and ICSE schools with a clear State-level roadmap. An independent and autonomous State-level higher education body needs to be setup to provide strategic direction, coordinate implementation, monitor progress and regulate the higher education sector. States and affiliating universities should provide mentoring and capacity-building support.

Union government – Focus areas of implementation

A dedicated NEP Implementation Taskforce needs to be established for planning, tracking, reviewing and coordinating with different agencies. It should coordinate implementation, clarify responsibilities, identify delays and support Ministries, States and institutions The task force needs to prepare a detailed planning of implementation of NEP with clear-cut targets and responsibilities along with time frames.

This Taskforce needs to focus on evidence-based measurable outcomes.The implementation of NEP 2020 should be assessed through measurable improvements rather than the number of policies, schemes, seminars, committees or reports produced.

Sharing successful practices

Effective practices developed by States and institutions should be documented and shared through peer learning networks, workshops, institutional partnerships and repositories. Such practices should be adapted to local needs, resources, language and institutional capacity, etc. Appropriate case studies and evaluation studies could be undertaken. Earlier policies of either 1968 or 1986, failed because it is completely left to the mercy of the Governments. Every plan and policy has got to succeed with only people’s involvement and participation. Hence all stake holders including civil society organisation and other NGOs including spiritual organisation which work with welfare motive and for the benefit of the society should collaborate in this national effort.

- Dusi Ramakrishna Rao (The author is a member of National Teaching Council)