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New Delhi : Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; Minister of State (Independent Charge) Earth Sciences; MoS PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh, on December 19, 2021, said that the two fold objective of NEP-2020 is to correct past anomalies persistent for years and to introduce contemporary provisions which are in keeping up with the present global trends. He was addressing the Cluster University teachers at an interactive academic programme on New Education Policy (NEP- 2020), organised here as a part of Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.
During the interaction, the Minister said that the greatest anomaly in the previous education policy was the nomenclature itself, Ministry of HRD was a misnomer, misrepresentative in itself having other connotations. He further said that as India has now become a part of the global world being recognized as ‘Jagat Guru’, the education parameters should be in keeping with the global parameters if India has to compete globally and excel globally.
Dr Singh said that one of the new provisions of NEP-2020 in the form of multiple entry/exit option is something to be cherished as this academic flexibility will have a positive impact on the students related to the availing of different career opportunities at different times depending on their intrinsic leaning and inherent aptitude. The Minister also said that this entry/exit option can be opted in future for the teachers as well giving them career flexibility and upgradation opportunities as is done in some western countries like the USA, according go a PIB release.
Stating that one of the objectives of NEP-202 is de-linking degree from education, Dr Singh said that linking degrees with education has taken a heavy toll on our education system and society as well. One of the fall-outs has been an increasing number of educated unemployed. He maintained that technological interventions in education are a boon for students of this generation and emphasised that teachers should also be able to keep up the pace with the students who are moving ahead too fast owing to accessibility of information, avenues, means,and talent.
Dr Singh also said that when the society has become gender neutral, language neutral, it has to become teacher-pupil neutral now to make our education system a bilateral phenomenon. He said that besides the education of students, equally important is the education of the teachers, parents, and elders as the challenge is not only the optimum education but to prevent dis-education which is never discussed.
During the interaction, Dr Singh also emphasised that the demography of education has changed region-wise, gender-wise, and profile-wise which can be judged from the fact that women have now a greater representation in civil services, people from other regions are now topping different exams which was earlier the prerogative of a few regions only.
Professor Bechan Lal, Vice Chancellor Cluster University Jammu, in his welcome address, said that NEP-2020 is widely accepted and appreciated for its creative provisions. Priya Sethi, former J&K Minister, Vice Chancellor Jammu University, Professor Manoj Dhar, Deputy Mayor, Purnima Sharma ,were also present during the session.