84 PARLIAMENTARIAN l JULY 2019
our young ones. NEP seeks to reduce
the content and textbook load on
students and discourage rote learning.
Th e curriculum framework will,
therefore, shift focus from textbook
learning to hands-on, experiential
and analytical learning. All subjects,
including arts, music, craft s, sports,yoga and community service, will be
curricular. Th e curriculum will
promote multilingualism, ancient
Indian knowledge systems, a scientifi c
temper, ethical reasoning, social
responsibility, digital literacy and
knowledge of critical issues facing
local communities.To reduce the pressure of board
exams, NEP suggests many fl exibilities
around them. Between Grades 8 and
12, students will be allowed to take
board examinations twice a year.
Later, when computerised adaptive
testing becomes widely available,
multiple attempts will be allowed, in
at least 24 subjects or, on average,
three a semester. Th e examination will
test only core capacities, basic
learning, skills and analysis. ‘Students
should be able to pass comfortably
without coaching and cramming,’ the
NEP states.missing the shots
Typically, the shelf-life of the new
education policy is 15-20 years. Th e
long timeframe means that the policy
should be highly aspirational in its
approach and envision a roadmap
which shapes the discourse around
education. While the committee has
recommended some visionary
reforms, it has missed the shots in
some crucial areas.
Th e societal landscape has changed
drastically in the last couple of
decades and will continue to do so at
a much rapid pace in coming years.
Global problems like climate change,
terrorism, refugee crisis, etc., are very
real and will be aff ecting our daily
lives. On the other hand, socio-
psychological issues such as
deteriorating mental health, rising
degrees of anger and impatience, lack
of civic engagement are eating away
our social fabric. As our young
students enter into the real world, our
education system completely fails
them as it doesn’t teach them to
address these issues.
“Th e answer lies in equipping our
children with a range of socio-
emotional skills (also known as life
skills or 21st century skills),” saysaiMiNg HigH
Some of the goals and recommendations to transform the higher
education system in india
objective: revamp the higher education system, create world class
institutions across the country – increase Gross enrolment ratio to
at least 50% by 2035.
a. higher education architecture shall create large, well-resourced,
vibrant and autonomous multidisciplinary institutions for teaching
and research, signifi cantly expanding reach and capacity while
building strong educational communities.
b. by 2030, all higher education institutions will develop into one of
three types-research universities, teaching universities and colleges.
Th ere will be no single-discipline universities; even professional
institutions will have to be multidisciplinary
c. mission nalanda and mission takshashila will be launched for
catalyzing this new institutional architecture. A few pace-setting
institutions, the indian institutes of liberal Arts/ multidisciplinary
education and research universities, may be set up as part of these
missions.
d. Th e Centre will set up ten indian institutes of liberal Arts/
multidisciplinary education and research universities on the model
and standards of the indian institutes of technology.
e. Th e undergraduate degree may be of 3 or 4 years duration.
institutions may off er multiple exit options within this period, with
appropriate certifi cation, an advanced diploma in a discipline or fi eld
(including vocational and professional areas) aft er completing 2 years
of study or a certifi cate aft er completing 1 year.
f. Th e development of vibrant and rigorous curricula will be guided
by the national higher education Qualifi cations Framework, which
will outline the learning outcomes associated with the degree/
diploma/certifi cation off ered in various fi elds and disciplines.
g. All higher education institutions will become autonomous
self-governing entities and the practice of ‘affi liation’ will be
stopped.
h. Th e national higher education regulatory Authority will
be the only regulator for all higher education, including
professional education. All current regulatory bodies will
transform into Professional Standard Setting bodies.education|draft policy
self-governing entities and the practice of ‘affi liation’ will be
stopped.
h. Th e national higher education regulatory Authority will
be the only regulator for all higher education, including
professional education. All current regulatory bodies will
transform into Professional Standard Setting bodies.