‘NEP aims at imparting quality education’

Herald: Explain about the implementation of NEP at higher education level?

Lolayekar: NEP implementation has two aspects. One-Academic restructuring, which is done by Goa University and research, innovation and industry linkage, is taken care of by us. NEP from our side is already implemented. We have already started with the establishment of the State Research Foundation, Unified Academic system, the work on a single scholarship portal is on, and clustering of colleges for multidisciplinary programmes is going on. From our side, we are ready.

Academic restructuring of general education will commence from the coming academic term through Goa University. Students will get their undergraduate degree either of three or four-year duration, The four-year programme may also lead to a degree ‘with Research’ or Honours. Those who opt out after two years will get a diploma and one year it will be a certificate. There are multiple entry and exit. Lots of multidisciplinary options will be available before the students unlike now.

Herald: How will the entire system benefit students in the long run?

Lolayekar: For the very first time any education policy is talking about quality. And everything that the policy has focused on like academic and educational restructuring, research, innovation and industry linkage, education technology, online programme, vocational and skilled based education, energizing and upgrading faculty- everything aims at imparting quality education to take the present education system to a greater height.

Today, our students have got a lot of information, but limited knowledge. Several reasons are associated with this including our current evaluation system. In the evaluation system at present we check only memory…we don’t ask application based questions or application based practical examinations. This system will change slowly. When child knowledge improves, the quality of education standard enhances.

A student will feel NEP is implemented properly or we will feel that the system has been a success, only when the students feel that there is qualitative change in him or her. If not, then you may do any kind of restructuring or research or innovation, it will have no meaning. Students will have a lot of choices available to explore them. There is a wide scope.  This will help students to develop their quality.

When we speak about providing exposure, we will also see that we provide necessary alternatives to those students, who drop-out to go abroad or on ship to make an earning. CM has already announced the launch of ‘Earn While You Learn’ concept. If we are able to achieve this, it will be a major boost.

Herald: Will there be a quality assessment?

Lolayekar: Quality assessment is ongoing even today. The quality assessment is done through NAAC who helps us to know whether the quality of education has improved or not. From the present grading system, we have realized that slowly our quality of education is improving. Our students don’t lack in quality but what they lack is exposure. It will now be our duty to give them that exposure.

Herald: Is this possible without upgrading the teaching system or teaching skills?

Lolayekar: NEP has laid focus on teachers training. Every college will have to have a training room to provide continuous training to the teachers to keep them updated. The same will be monitored through a centralized system at state level. Apart from training provided by DHE and GU, respective colleges will have to ensure that there is continuous faculty development. This will benefit the students. 

We will do away with the traditional method of teaching and opt for a smart classroom, which will encourage students to take up learning. In the past, teachers were the only source of learning. But today there are various multiple options. So it is important that teachers prove their relevance over time. Teachers will have to keep upgrading themselves.