Of the numerous aspects that are in dire need of a facelift, India is one nation that has made it a priority to transform itself into a universal knowledge power bloc. This is evident from the Union Cabinet’s radical move of approving the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 that aims to revolutionize various aspects of the existing education system in the country by replacing the two policies brought forth in the years 1968 and 1986, thus making it the foremost education policy of the 21st century.
The NEP 2020 envisions the creation of an education system wherein the curriculum and pedagogy of our educational institutions enable learners to develop a profound sense of admiration towards the constitutional values and fundamental duties that our nation stands for, thus inculcating immense pride of being Indian, in the student community.
The NEP seeks to focus on the facets of flexibility, multi-disciplinary education, critical thinking, ethical values, grassroot understanding of concepts, synergy in curriculum across all levels of education, promotion of integrity, transparency and efficiency of resources and highlighting the role of teachers and academic faculties as the heart of the learning process and holistic development of learners among others, with a view to transforming the educational sector of the country by the year 2040.
The NEP 2020 objectifies reformation on the following fronts: early childhood care and education, re-visiting the Right to Education Act, 2009, curriculum framework, , National Research Foundation, educational governance, promotion of vocational courses, school examination reforms, regulatory structure and accreditation of higher educational institutions by setting up NHERA (National Higher Education Regulatory Authority) and separating NAAC (National Assessment and Accreditation Council) from UGC (University Grants Commission) into an autonomous body.
In this regard, the Chief Minister of Goa, Dr. Pramod Sawant, who holds the education portfolio of the State, stated that the Goa government is all set to adopt the NEP 2020, albeit in a phased manner with the constitution of two taskforce committees — one apiece at the school education and higher education levels. However, the larger question remains, there being no certainty regarding the Goa government’s preparedness for the actual implementation of this revolutionary policy and ensuring its smooth functioning.
The Goa government has claimed that its education-related departments such as the Directorate of Education, Directorate of Higher Education, Directorate of Technical Education and the likes have already begun their groundwork towards achievement of the said goal across a multitude of its strictures. The Chief Minister also took to his Twitter handle to declare that Goa will implement and replicate the ‘best practices’ of the NEP 2020, which could not be implemented earlier due to the sudden onset of the COVID pandemic and the restrictions that came along with it.
It is the need of the hour to replace this more-than-30-year-old syllabus and facilitate giving exposure to the students to the modern facets of education.
The State has already set an optimistic foot forward by introducing Coding and Robotics in the Class VI to VIII syllabus across multiple schools wherein more than 500 odd school computer teachers have already been imparted the requisite training, thereby making Goa the first state in the country to formally introduce and kick-start a Robotics programme for its learners.
That is not all! The State has also upped its ICT (Information and Communication Tools) game by a few inches across a multitude of schools and colleges where learning is now imparted digitally.
With the introduction of the NEP 2020, which looks very promising as far as modernising education is concerned, one can only be hopeful that the State’s administrative powers-that-be will leave no stone unturned to take Goa’s educational sector to new heights.
