New Education Policy to be Rolled Out in December, Assures Union Minister
- New Education Policy (NEP) is expected to introduce a variety of changes in the existing education system in India.
- NEP that focuses on skill development and quality and affordable education is likely to be rolled out by year-end (December 2017).
Mr. Satya Pal Singh - Union Minister clarified that the NDA government’s New Education Policy (NEP) is in its final stages and will be rolled out latest by December 2017. All the discussions pertaining to NEP have been completed. He further indicated that NEP would revamp and correct the existing education system which has the colonial mindset. It is really unfortunate that many academicians followed the footsteps of western scholars and the British after independence. The education system in India has been facing the biggest challenge over the past few years, which is why decolonizing the Indian mind was a major issue in this regard, he added.
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According to Mr. Satya Pal, the following are some of the key issues that have been addressed in the New Education Policy: -
- Improving the quality of education (at primary level)
- Making higher education cost-effective or affordable
- Skill development
He expressed his concern about the Indian students going aboard for taking up higher studies. Indian institutes must maintain international standards and quality education to prevent students from going abroad. Plan to set up 20 world-class institutes in India is one of the best initiatives taken by Government of India, he said.
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Further, he explained that the accessibility to higher education in India is just 25.6 percent, while it is 86% in the USA, 80% in Germany and 60% in China. If the Indian government can improve the higher education system in the country, it will provide for better accessibility to students.
Concluding his address at the inaugural ceremony of the National Academic meet at Trivandrum, Mr. Satya Pal pointed that India produces 30,000 to 40,000 Ph.D. scholars every year which is a mere contribution of just 0.2% to the world. Introducing more changes in research and development are extremely vital for a better stand when compared to the world.