National Education Policy: PM calls for max 'flexibility' in implementation

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Monday that “maximum flexibility” has to be shown in implementing the new National Education Policy (NEP) and all questions about it have to be addressed, as he asserted that it is not a government's but the country's education policy.

Addressing the ‘Governors’ Conference on the Role of NEP in Transforming Higher Education’, Modi said it is natural for stakeholders to have questions about the policy and “we are all working to address all these questions”.

The view of every stakeholder is being heard with an open mind, he said, adding that most of the questions about the NEP are related to its implementation.  He likened the education policy to defence and foreign policies, saying they belong to the country not government. The education policy is linked to the nation's aspirations, he added.  

“We have to collectively address all doubts. The vision of flexibility with which this policy was brought... We will have to show in a similar way maximum flexibility in implementing it,” he told the conference, which was also attended by President Ram Nath Kovind, education ministers from states and Union Territories and vice-chancellors.  

Modi urged them to hold virtual conferences before September 25 in universities on the NEP,  which, he said, has been widely welcomed.  

Highlighting the main features of the policy, first since 1986, he said it attempts to bring all aspects of higher education, be it academic, technical or vocational, out of silos and to cut down on administrative layers while bringing about a better coordination.  

Modi said the idea behind the concept of graded autonomy is to encourage healthy competition among colleges and universities and to reward the performers.  "It is now our collective responsibility to implement this essence of NEP, 2020 in letter and spirit," he said. The policy focuses on learning instead of studying and goes beyond curriculum to focus on critical thinking, he said.  In the NEP,  the concerns about students facing heavy burden of their books and examination pressure have been addressed and efforts are being made to expose them to vocational courses and practical training from an early age to make them more employable in Indian and global market, he said.

The policy will give a new shape and strength to India's push towards 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' (self-reliant India), he said.  Our youth will now be able to learn according to their interests, he said.

Earlier, students used to pick a stream beyond their aptitude and they would realise it much later, and these problems have been addresses now, the prime minister said.  India has been an ancient centre of global learning, and the government is working to make it hub of knowledge economy in the 21st century, he said.

While governments, be it at Centre or states, have a role in shaping education policy and system, but this is also true that they should have minimal intervention and influence in preparing the education policy, he said.  The more teachers, parents, students are associated with the education policy, the more relevant and broadbased it will be, he added.

The prime minister said that new policy has paved way for best international institutions to set up their campuses in India, which will allow youngsters from common families to join them.  This will also curb brain drain, he added.  The NEP approved by the Union Cabinet in July replaces the 34-year-old National Policy on Education framed in 1986 and is aimed at paving the way for transformational reforms in school and higher education systems to make India a global knowledge superpower.

The NEP will prepare students on the fronts of knowledge as well as skills and focuses on learning instead of studying, the prime minister said, adding that it will bring our education system out of "one size fits all" mindset.