Education Minister spells out merits of NEP 2020
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, July 30 2020: Education Minister Th Radheshyam has hailed the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 which was approved by the Union Cabinet yesterday.

Speaking to media persons today in the conference hall of SSA Manipur at Babupara, Radheshyam said that NEP 2020 is a landmark document which would bring great changes in the country's education system.

The first NEP was formulated in 1968 which was modified in 1986 and 1992.After a gap of 34 years, the NEP was re-formulated this year and the latest version contains many salient features, Radheshyam said.

He said that NEP 2020 is based on five main features viz; accessibility, equity, quality, affordability and accountability.

The policy is aimed bringing large scale transformational changes in both school education and higher education.

NEP has three components for school education, higher education and teacher training and it was formulated to cater to sustainable development goals of the country, Radheshyam said.

The NEP is aimed at creating a vibrant knowledge society and make India a superpower in terms of knowledge and education, he said.

Earlier, pre-primary stage was not included in the NEP but the same has been incorporated now which means the education policy has set its sight on universalisation of early childhood education, Radheshyam remarked.

NEP 2020 prescribed home language as medium of teaching for children up to Class V.A new examination system called Performance Assessment Review and Analysis of Knowledge (PARAK) would be introduced for students up to Class IX.

NEP 2020 has also set a target of achieving 100 per cent gross enrolment rate in school education by 2030.There would be multiple entry and exit points in higher education.

In another word, a student can study BA course for one year or two years or the whole course and degrees would be awarded based on how much year one studies, Radheshyam said.

NEP 2020's another area of focus is research.

It has set a target of achieving 50 per cent gross enrolment rate in higher education by 2030 and there would be only one regulatory body for the higher education sector.

The latest version of NEP envisages granting autonomy to colleges after 15 years or they would be adopted as 'constituent college of university', he continued.

Many changes have also been brought forward by NEP 2020 in teachers education.

Promotion of regional languages and adult education is another which is underscored in the latest education policy.

Investment in education sector would be raised from 2.8 per cent of GDP to 6 per cent in accordance to the NEP 2020 .

The policy is also suggesting renaming the Ministry of Human Resource Development as Ministry of Education.

Radheshyam exuded confidence that NEP 2020 would bring great changes in Manipur too in the field of education.

He also appealed to the State's teacher fraternity, academicians, student bodies, parents, media and public to study the NEP minutely.

Education (S) Commissioner T Ranjit, Higher & Technical Education Commissioner M Harekrishna, Education (S) Director Th Kirankumar, Higher & Technical Education (Director) Kh Diana and SCERT Director Dr M Meenakumari were also present at the press meet.

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