NEP. What Next?
The New Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) heralded a new dawn for the Indian education system, aiming to revolutionise the way students learn and teachers teach. With its visionary approach, NEP 2020 promises a brighter future for the country, but the road to realisation seems filled with more potholes of challenges and non-existent surfaces. The major obstacle is the political slowdown in its adoption and implementation at the individual state level.
The NEP 2020 was formulated with the intent of transforming India into a knowledge superpower. It envisions several strategic benefits for the nation. First and foremost, it places an emphasis on holistic development by integrating skilling, and vocational education and making formal education more worldly-productive and socially inclusive. By focusing on multidisciplinary education, it allows students to explore a wide range of subjects and discover their true passions.
The policy's recognition of the importance of early childhood education, fundamental literacy, and numeracy will set a strong foundation for future learning. It also promotes research and innovation. It could potentially make India a hub for scientific discoveries and technological advancements, in the future. To move to that stage, from the current abysmal state of academic research, it would require a lot of initiatives by the academia and the industrial corridors. Furthermore, the emphasis on digital learning and technology integration in education aligns with the demands of the 21st Century. This should come without creating any social divide due to accessibility or lack of it.
However, despite these promising prospects, the implementation of NEP 2020 is facing considerable political slowdowns at the state level. One major reason for this is the significant power that states wield in the Indian education system. Education falls under the Concurrent List of the Indian Constitution, meaning that both the central and state governments have the authority to legislate on educational matters. This has led to varying interpretations and slow progress in adopting the new policy.
Some states are resisting the changes proposed by the central government due to political differences, making it challenging to achieve uniformity in educational reforms. But at least in the twin-engine states, one would assume that the implementation of the NEP would have been smooth and quick. But the resultant reality is otherwise.
Moreover, the financial burden of implementing the policy can be a stumbling block for cash-strapped states. The NEP 2020 requires substantial investments in infrastructure, teacher training, and technology, which some states may struggle to allocate from their budgets. States with strong sentiments about preserving the primacy of their cultural and religious education resist elements of the NEP that they believe may dilute these aspects.
The NEP recommends significant regulatory changes in higher education, including the establishment of the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI). This shift is met with apprehension in some states of losing control over their universities. States must recognise that they cannot afford to stall the development of their citizens, as education is the cornerstone of progress. By adopting a common national education policy like NEP 2020, states can provide several crucial advantages to their citizens.
Firstly, a unified education system ensures that students across the country receive consistent and high-quality education, irrespective of the state they reside in. This removes regional disparities and creates equal opportunities for all, promoting social justice.
Additionally, a common policy streamlines curriculum and assessment standards, making it easier for students to transition between states and foster national integration. After all, citizenship is that of the country, and not an individual state.
A common policy like NEP could also enhance teacher training and professional development to a basic minimum common standard across India, resulting in a more skilled and capable educator workforce. Without adequate training and reskilling, much of our current teaching workforce struggle with lack of commitment, passion to teach the next generation, understanding of the subject that they teach, or relevance and applications of their subjects in the current world. Introducing new pedagogical approaches and curriculum changes necessitates extensive teacher training and capacity building.
In the contemporary world, skilling has emerged as the new knowledge enzyme, facilitating the transformation of information into sustainable livelihoods. Just as enzymes catalyse complex chemical reactions, skills are the catalysts that convert acquired knowledge into practical applications. In a rapidly evolving job market driven by technological advancements, the ability to adapt and apply knowledge effectively is more critical than ever. Skilling equips individuals with the practical competencies needed to meet the demands of the workforce.
Whether it's digital literacy, vocational training, or specialised expertise, these skills act as the bridge between theoretical knowledge and real-world problem-solving, ensuring that individuals not only possess knowledge but can actively use it to secure meaningful and sustainable sources of income. In this way, skilling paves the way for personal and economic growth, making it the vital catalyst that drives the synthesis of knowledge into livelihoods in the modern age.
To address these challenges, it is imperative for all stakeholders, including the central and state governments, educators, and the public, to collaborate. A clear and unified vision for the future of education in India is essential, and political differences must be set aside in the pursuit of a better educational system. Adequate funding and support should be provided to states to ensure the successful execution of NEP 2020.
Ultimately, a unified national education policy is the key to empowering citizens with the knowledge and skills necessary to thrive in a rapidly changing world, ensuring a brighter future for the nation as a whole. Hopefully, the National Education Policy (NEP) is above politics and that the future of learning of our children remains firmly rooted in wisdom, not in 'politricks'.
Dr Srinath Sridharan - Policy Researcher & Corporate Advisor. X: @ssmumbai
