NEW EDUCATION POLICY KICKS OFF A FIERCE DEBATE

NEP reforms hailed by many but the question of execution splits academia and also starts a political storm in Capital

- Ajay Kumar, Kumar Kunal and Milan Sharma

ON WEDNESDAY, the Union Cabinet cleared India’s new National Education Policy (NEP)-2020 for reforms in higher education, increased focus on non-academic skills and inclusion through language diversity and course fluidity.

The document, which replaces the 34-year-old National Policy on Education, was developed after nearly five years of consultation with stakeholders and the general public.

But while NEP’s intended goals have been hailed by many, the question of execution has split academia and also started a political storm in the Capital.

The sharpest criticism came from Delhi Education Minister Manish Sisodia who said NEP recommends a “highly-regulated” and “poorly funded” model, while it is either confused or silent on how the reforms will be implemented.

“It is a forward-looking document, which accepts the flaws of today’s system but is unable to break free of the pressures of old traditions,” he said.

“There is an attempt to escape from the government’s responsibility to provide quality education in its schools,” said the Deputy CM of Delhi.

It envisages colleges and universities to be multidisciplinary. Let IIT deal with engineering, IIM with management, AIIMS with medical and FTII with acting. Dilution of such big institutes will not be good for the talent of the country, he said.

Sisodia said institutions are multidisciplinary and some are catering to one particular sector. “This system is doing good and should not be interfered with.”

EXECUTION QUESTIONS