Highlights – Draft National Education Policy (2016)

Draft Policy Details: Click here. I have glanced through the pages and these are some of my quick thoughts. Kindly send suggestions on this draft policy to nep.edu@gov.in by 31st July 2016

Strengths: Many issues in the current system have been identified and a detailed study did happen in the background. Plan to implement the post of IES (Indian Education Service), Mathematics and Science exams as 2 level exams for Class  X students, provision for Academic Assistants and Associates in teaching.

Weakness: Unnecessary clauses(and definitions) at certain points including the stress on culture may be termed as ‘saffronization’ agenda. The policy speaks well about language, value, science, mathematics and others but talks less about the safety measures that have to be taken at the institutes (4.2.1). It has also completely ignored the necessity of disaster management as part of the curriculum. I must also say that this policy lack vision in streamlining a proper channel for the fellowship(scholarship/stipend) management and annual renewals.

Things I loved

4.14.4: The State will endeavour to implement the recommendations of earlier policies of 1968 and 1986/92 for the creation of an Indian Education Service (IES), which is reiterated herein too. The IES will be an all India service with HRD as the cadre controlling authority. Till the IES comes into existence, an interim step of a one-time special recruitment by UPSC from among the existing academic and administrative positions in the education sector in various states will be made in concurrence with the states.

4.5.8: High failure rate in class-X examination is attributed to a large extent to poor performance in three subjects: Mathematics, Science and English. In order to reduce the failure rates, class X examination in Mathematics, Science and English will be at two levels: Part-A at a higher level and Part-B at a lower level. Students who intend to join courses/ programmes for which science, mathematics or English is not a prerequisite or wish to shift to vocational stream after class-X will be able to opt for Part-B level
examination.

4.18.1: Selected foreign universities, from the top 200 in the world, will be encouraged to establish their presence in India through collaboration with Indian universities. If required, steps will be taken to put in place an enabling legislation. Rules/ Regulations will be framed so that it is possible for a foreign university to offer its own degree to the Indian students studying in India, such that these degrees will be valid also in the country
of origin.

What could have been done better?

4.2.6: Adolescent Education will be included in pre- and in-service training programmes of secondary school teachers

I believe this must be changed to “secondary school teachers and high school teachers“

4.4.1: Each State will undertake a detailed exercise of school mapping to identify schools with low enrolment and inadequate infrastructure. Wherever possible, efforts will be made to convert existing non-viable schools into composite schools for optimum utilization of human, physical and infrastructural resources, better academic performance and cost effective management. When schools are merged they could be located in a single campus. In consultation with the states, common guidelines for merger and consolidation would be evolved, without diluting the provisions of the RTE Act. The consolidation will enable the country to achieve one class – one teacher norm in a foreseeable future  .

Distance and reach factors must be considered before consolidation

4.5.6: Issues of gender, social, cultural and regional disparities, with an emphasis on unity in diversity, will be properly addressed in the curriculum and its transaction. Curriculum will cover the issues of social justice and legal measures in order to avoid social discrimination. It will be ensured by the curriculum and text book development agencies that text books promote harmony and do not contain any discriminating issues/ events/ examples in the context of gender, disability, caste, religion, etc. Citizenship education, peace education, character building, legal and constitutional literacy, financial literacy, environmental sustainability and other common core which will be promoted through all the subject areas. 

For me, this creates a feeling like certain things in history must be omitted or rewritten 

4.11 The aim of education is to inculcate awareness among learners of India’s rich heritage, glorious past, great traditions and heterogeneous culture.

Well, I don’t understand

4.11.3: Higher Education Institutions, especially technical and professional institutions, will provide  opportunities to all students to learn about India’s rich heritage, linguistic and cultural diversity and knowledge systems

Well, I don’t understand. Why special mention to technical and professional institutions?

4.11.4: Keeping in view the special importance of Sanskrit to the growth and development of Indian languages and its unique contribution to the cultural unity of the country, facilities for teaching Sanskrit at the school
and university stages will be offered on a more liberal scale.

Diplomatically handled 😀

4.14.1: An Education Commission comprising of academic experts will be set up, every five years to assist the Ministry of HRD in identifying new knowledge areas/ disciplines/ domains as well as pedagogic, curricular and
assessment reforms at the global level, which will help to keep up with the change in the global scenario and national aspirations.

Isn’t five years too long?

4.14.6: The Government recognises and will encourage the positive role played by students’ unions in furthering the interests of democracy and strengthening the democratic systems, governance and processes as well as debates, discussions and pluralism of thoughts.

Really? Good to see this here. 

4.21.4: HEIs funded by governments need to find ways of increasing their revenues through other sources, such as alumni funding, endowment funding, tuition fee enhancement along with fee waiver for disadvantaged
sections, and private investment.

More or less like the privatization of academia.  Researches may not help society, but just the markets and our studies may get diverted for personal benefits, ignoring the greater needs of the country. Finally, quality education may not be at the reach of the poor and middle class.