Guest Author
National Education Policy (NEP) approved by the Union Cabinet is set to bring about a humongous change in the Indian academic curriculum at school and university level. The policy was long overdue and has been made official after 34 years. Looking at the rapid changes happening around us in the world so closely connected via World Wide Web, it is all the more important to foster the learning of our developing young minds with capacity to continuously adapt and excel.
The practical learning aspect is rooted for in the NEP, based upon the experiences drawn from previously implemented policies. It aims to enhance the students’ calibre for facing the global and indigenous challenges in future. The educational resources in the recent past has undergone a transformational change owing to the pandemic and online learning replacing the traditional pen and paper. NEP addresses the concerns of not just students but also teachers, making them more equip in terms of research, technology and innovation.
NEP is laying the roadmap for a flexible all-round growth in the academics. The liberty provided to the learners in terms of choice of their preferred field of study, professional inclinations and interests is a novel approach in stark contrast to the rote learning methodologies which India has always been known for.
The ultimate goal of NEP is to propose a revamped system of education regulation and governance. It strengthens the roots of young minds with their culture and heritage by inclusion of regional languages and simultaneously prepare them for being self-reliant and competent enough to handle the practical industry challenges. NEP is laying the roadmap for a flexible all-round growth in the academics. The liberty provided to the learners in terms of choice of their preferred field of study, professional inclinations and interests is a novel approach in stark contrast to the rote learning methodologies which India has always been known for.
The vision for this policy is to promote smart work that bores results which are a value addition in the future endeavours taken by the budding learners. Internships in early classes will be a mirror for the students at early stages about the outcomes and expectations of businesses and industries outside. It will be a carefully planned reinforcement exercise by education authorities directed to facilitate competitive spirit and skill enhancement. The challenge for this policy remains in its implementation. As the teaching and knowledge disseminating spirit of experienced educators needs not just reform, but upskilling and openness to the new ideas. Also, Indian education system has always been driven more towards the English language. To break this stereotype for regional languages being less contributing towards a student’s progress will be a milestone. Only a realistic execution framework is needed at each educational institution’s level that ensures balance between transition to online learning, grasping abilities of students and the pedagogical ideas discussed in NEP.
(Author is Principal, DPS Raj Nagar Extension, Ghaziabad. Views are personal)