Why the New Education Policy is Needed for the Changed Situation

It’s been a short while since India has seen a new draft of the National Education Policy. We have seen many speculations around this. There is a huge range of spectators who are waiting for further clarification on this. In order to reach out to the crux of it, we discussed with Mr. Braj Bhushan Jha, who has guided thousands of students in their studies and further career.  

Why the new Education Policy is needed: 

Before we understand the policy, this is very vital for us to understand the need for this policy. As per him, there are various circumstances that had led to the foundation stone of the new policy draft, such as: 

1. Develop the research-based course curriculum during senior secondary and higher education; 

2. The government is aiming to double the gross enrollment ratio by 2035. In 2018-19 gross enrollment ratio was 26.3 and 25.8 in 2017-18; 

3. Decrease the number of dropouts from schools. Currently, 30 out of 100 students don’t finish school. Jharkhand has the highest rate of dropouts and only 30 of 100 students finish school education; 

4. Incorporation of Creative and innovative learning study modules;  

5. Plethora of changes were needed in the 34 years’ old education policy. 

What has changed:  

It is very difficult to analyze and sum a 484 pages draft of the policy which was the result of 1,15,000 meetings by the experts, though some of the major changes are mentioned here: 

1. Eradication of multiple competitive exams – The new draft has introduced a common entrance exam which will reduce the burden of different exams and also will provide mainframe preparation time for the student
2. Examinations – Exams will be held only for classes 3, 5, and 8. Boards will be as it is, but it will definitely be re-modeled.
3. New Structure – Now new structure has been introduced of 5+3+3+4 instead of 10+2
4. Practical based curriculum – The modules will be framed in such a way which are practical knowledge-oriented and also reduce the theory part
5. Choice of Subjects – After class 6, students can pick the subject of their interest under optional modules
6. Rejoining the study – You may resume your studies where you left it
7. Dropping out – Even if you drop up but you may get a degree based on the number of years’ completion
8. More focus on vocational studies at the school-level
9. Dedicated team for online and eLearning
10. The National Scholarship portal will be expanded
11. Emphasis on more Mid-day meal provisions 

Implementation issues –  

1. The quality of teachers in India is not yet mapped with upcoming education policy. This will need vital revamp and dedication

2. Teachers will need a completely new structure of training do be equipped to handle new courses and new techniques

3. Most dropouts are in Jharkhand, Arunachal, Mizoram and Bihar where majority of the teachers are working as temporary staff. The government will need to examine the seriousness and future growth of these employees 

4. Most of the Government schools do not have a computer laboratory, in fact, some of those are still waiting to get basic infrastructure. In this case, this will be a challenge to uniformly develop this is in remote schools

5. Above all, this gradual process will need lots and lots of pf money which in the current COVID situation is difficult. Most of our other sectors are already under the financial crisis

The government is still making the assessment to make things better in the future.