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Education officials at the discussions about the national education policy that were conducted on August 13 in Kohima. The government wants to bring out the National Education Policy to meet requirements with regard to quality education, innovation and research.[/caption]
Kohima, Aug. 13 (EMN): Policymakers are conducting consultations concerning the country’s new education policy, which the government of India wants to bring out to meet changing needs in the area of quality education, innovation and research. It aims at making India a knowledge superpower by equipping students with the necessary skills and knowledge.
The directorate of School Education conducted a meeting to discuss the draft National Education Policy 2019 (NEP), on August 13 in Kohima.
The main objective of the meeting was to initiate “discussion on the consultation process” for the new education policy and to seek feedback and suggestions from associations in Nagaland, a press release from the establishment stated.
Nagaland government officials and members of various attended the event. The participants were asked to “submit their views, comments and suggestions” within a week time, the updates stated.
During the technical session of the programme, resource person G Balasubramanian highlighted the new education policy for 2019.
The press release listed some of the points of discourse he broached at the event: The government of India wants to bring out the National Education Policy to meet the changing dynamics of the population’s requirement with regards to quality education, innovation and research. It aims at making India a knowledge superpower by equipping its students with the necessary skills and knowledge.
The government of India is embarking on a time-bound grassroots consultative process, which will enable the ministry of Human Resource Development to reach out to individuals across the country through direct consultations while also taking inputs from citizens online.
The Draft National Education Policy 2019 proposal has been submitted by the committee set up to ascertain the changes required in the education system, to make educational reforms a key component of the newly formed government’s agenda. The draft proposal was submitted to Union Human Resource Development (HRD).
The new education policy for 2019 is a collaborative effort, reaching stakeholders to the block level to understand the changes required in the educational structure. The report also proposes renaming MHRD to Ministry of Education. Here are the key takeaways or suggestions of the draft NEP.
The Draft National Education Policy 2019 is focussed on access, equity, quality, affordability, and accountability of the education system of the country.
Starting with the early years and school education, the policy talks about a major overhaul in the curriculum of the early childhood care and education or ‘ECCE,’ which concerns with preschoolers.
The new education policy suggests the extension of the Right to Education or RTE to cover all children from 3 to 18 years of age. At present it covers students till the age of 14 years.
A 5+3+3+4 curricular and pedagogical structure has been proposed which is based on the cognitive developmental stages of the children rather than their ages. This further divides the K12 years into Foundational Stage (age 3-8 yrs): 3 years of pre-primary plus Grades 1-2, Preparatory Stage (8-11 years): Grades 3-5, Middle Stage (11-14 years): Grades 6-8 and Secondary Stage (14-18 years): Grades 9-12.
Draft proposes restructuring of schools into school complexes. Notably, a move in this direction has already been initiated by CBSE from this year.
No hard separation of learning areas in terms of curricular, co-curricular or extra-curricular areas.
Massive focus on Teacher Education and improvement of thr qualify of the educators. The committee has porposed multiple multidisciplinary programs for teachers which would in included into large universities.
Proposal of a four-year integrated stage-specific B.Ed programme has also been presented. This has already been proposed by the HRD Ministry.
A restructure of technical and medical education in the country is also proposed in the draft along with the exit examination for medical professionals.
The proposal of continuing with the three language formula has also been reinforced in the National Education Policy. The NEP 2019 has reiterated its commitment to providing a renewed focus on the Indian languages from early and formative years.
Also, KT Sukhalu, advisor for School Education was attributed as having said at the event that the consultation process involves participation from the grass root to the state, regional and national levels in bringing out a comprehensive policy which will reflect the aspirations and needs of the country.
A proposal for education policy is a very difficult task, he said. There are many sectors that need attention and concern because India is a diverse country, the advisor said. He lamented that the new education policy for 2019 was a “central centric kind of proposal,” having more concern about the urban areas.
Sukhalu said India has many villages across the states. To implement such a scheme in all the schools is going to be extreme difficulty, he said. He urged the participants to give their views and suggestions ‘wisely for the betterment of tomorrow,’ the press release stated.
The advisor also referenced private schools and institutions. Sukhalu said they have their own mechanism to address issues.
‘However, for government institutions, every new scheme needs to be reviewed and need more manpower and more resources. One of the biggest challenge and responsibility faced by the government is that whenever any scheme comes they need to be reviewed,’ the press release stated.
‘The state of Nagaland have high literacy rate, but it cannot be compared with Kerala’s or Mizoram’s or with any other states even though education may be the same because our social life, mindset and system is different,’ the press release stated. He asked the participants to give their ‘best views and suggestions’ to the government of India for the policymakers to take it into account.
The advisor also emphasized on the need to teach skills to the young so that they can start entrepreneurial activities to contribute to the state’s economy. With this, he urged both the government and private institutions to focus and give special attention to this areas, the press release stated.
“He was optimistic that the consultative meeting will bring out best views and suggestions and will put forwards to the account of the government of Indian and a workable education policy brings about changes in India,” the press release read.