Journal of Positive School Psychology http://journalppw.

com
2022, Vol. 6, No. 2, 6557-6561

Importance Of National Education Policy-2020 In Imparting Education

Prof. (Dr.) Abhay Kumar

Vice Chancellor ,Pratap University, Sunderpura, Chandwaji, Delhi - Jaipur Highway, Jaipur (Rajasthan) Pin:303104.

Abstract:
The year 2020 has been an exceptional year for countries across the globe. In India, apart from Covid-19, one of the
important changes that took place was the development of the New Education Policy (NEP) 2020. Time by time,
various committees have recommended to increase the allocation of the budget for education to 6% of the GDP, this
has lead to the interests of researchers. This paper aims to identify the concerns and focus of NEP 2020. NEP-2020 is
an innovative and futuristic proposal with both positive and negative aspects, framed with the objective to provide a
quality school education and higher education to everyone with an expectation of holistic & research-oriented progress.
This paper initially depicts an overview of NEP-2020, distinguish the strengths & weakness of the policy at higher
education & research part, evaluation of the implementation suggestions given in the policy, identifying and analyzing
possible generic strategies for implementation of NEP-2020 to fulfill its objectives based on focus group discussions.
The paper also includes many predictive proposals on issues like developing quality universities & colleges,
institutional restructuring & consolidation, more holistic & multidisciplinary education, optimal learning environment
& student support, transforming the regulatory system of higher education, technology usage & integration, and online
& digital education. Finally, some recommendations are made to implement the NEP2020 effectively irrespective of
various constraints.

Keywords: Indian Higher Education Policy, Implementation Strategies, Indian Higher Education System, Research
and innovation focus.

Introduction 2030. India believes that through this new national

Countries plan their education systems to progress education policy 2020, it can achieve this goal at least
further (Rizvi & Lingard, 2009). To by 2040 with equitable access to high-quality
promote education at all economic classes and for the education to everyone irrespective of social and
inclusion of common/ordinary people in economic background. With the vision of creating a
the mainstream the Government of India (GOI) has platform to provide quality school & higher education
formulated the National Policy on Education to every citizen of the country with Indian ethos and
(NPE). This policy has broader coverage, starting from values to transform the country as an equitable and
elementary school education vibrant knowledge society and global knowledge
(literacy level) to colleges for higher education superpower by improving the quality of education at
(focusing specialization) – in both the settings, every stage by creating a new ideal system through the
i.e. rural and urban. The first NPE was proposed and revision and revamping the current education structure
disseminated in 1968 by the GOI, the second including, policies, regulations, and control systems,
policy was in 1986, and the third major reformative the new policy NEP-2020 is designed [1-2]. Thus,it is
policy was in 2020, by the incumbent Prime Minister expected that the new policy NEP-2020 is a thorough
of India Narendra Modi (Govt. of India, 2020). revision with less content but more skills for problem
National Educational Policy (NEP-2020) India has a solving, creativity for innovation, multidisciplinary
challenge and hence goal to lift the country as a and holistic for unity and integrity. The policy expects
developed country by supporting developmental a new set of regulations to make the education
imperatives according to 4th goal of United Nations pedagogy more experimental, inquiry-driven,
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), which aims discovery-oriented learner- centered, analysis-based,
to “ensure inclusive and equitable quality education flexible, enjoyable, and futuristic so that the educated
and promote lifelong learning opportunities for all” by output can support countries economic growth, social
Prof. (Dr.) Abhay Kumar 6558

justice and equality, scientific advancement, cultural individual autonomy-as proposed by NEP-2020 is
preservation, and national integration. definitely the right step ahead [6].

In July 2019, Aithal P. S. et al published a paper on Deb, P. (2020) published an article on “Vision for
“Analysis of Higher Education in Indian National Foreign Universities in the National Education Policy
Education Policy Proposal 2019 and Its 2020: A Critique” that deals with the
Implementation Challenges” which reviewed the internationalization of Indian higher education as one
related literature during the last few years on Indian of the stated aims of the National Education Policy
Higher Education Policies and their consequences, (NEP) 2020 [8].
salient features, and their focuses on the draft of
National Education policy 2019 through content About NEP-2020
analysis. The paper highlighted various policies The National Education Policy-2020 envisions an
proposed in the draft with the special emphasis on the India centred education system by incorporating its
higher education section and compared them with the tradition, culture, values, and ethos to transform the
previous policies. The analysis also compared the country into an equitable, sustainable, and vibrant
possible effects of NEP 2019 proposal on private and knowledge society. The NEP-2020 is developed by
public HEIs in terms of facilities & restrictions. The considering the wide and deep historical heritage of the
strength and weaknesses of the new policy proposal are country and the contributions of many scholars to
identified with respect to various stakeholders and different subjects as the founding stone to build high
listed. The paper also contains some suggestions to quality multi-disciplinary liberal education at both
realize the policy and make it defect free and effective school and higher & professional education level. With
from a public point of reference and for the prosperity the objective to increase the gross enrollment ratio
of the country [2]. (GER) of school education enrollment and higher &
professional education enrollment to increase from
In August 2020, Sunil Kumar et al highlighted a new 28% and 05% to 50% and 20% respectively by 2030,
instructional procedure to see huge movements in by means of radical changes in the existing education
schools and advanced edification. He has pointed the policies and governance systems by introducing
void between vision and mission would require more accountability in each stakeholder.
than the action plans and the strategy for execution.
Therefore, it takes the right measures to ensure that School Education
implementation meets expectations [3]. With the key principles of (i) respect for diversity &
local context, (ii) Equity & inclusion, (iii) Community
In August 2020, Aithal, P. S. et al further published a
participation, (iv) Emphasizing conceptual
paper on “Analysis of the Indian National Education
understanding,
Policy 2020 toward Achieving its Objectives” and
(v) Building unique capabilities, (vi) Imparting critical
highlighted various policies announced in the higher
thinking and creativity, (vii) Use of Technology, and
education system and compared them with the (viii) continuous review, NEP-2020 has intended to
currently adopted system. Various innovations and
focus on universal access to early child care &
predicted implications of NEP 2020 on the Indian
education. This is to be done through foundational
higher education system along with its merits are
learning curriculum, multifaceted learning models, and
discussed. Some suggestions are proposed for its preparatory classes at the childhood level. Ensuring
effective implementation towards achieving its
universal access to education at all levels, school
objectives [4].
education emphasizes multiple pathways, bringing
back drop-outs, promoting on building schools,
Suryavanshi, S. (2020) has made an attempt to
promoting alternative and innovative education
compare teacher education in Indian universities with
centres, achieving desired outcomes, and peer tutoring
that in Chinese university as a case study and
at all levels to ensure access and opportunities to all
concluded that autonomy is essential to faculty
children [4]. The salient features of school education as
members and institutional leaders to innovate and
depicted in NEP-2020 are:
explore in their teaching, research, and service. The
paper also suggested that the universities must have the
6559 Journal of Positive School Psychology

Higher Education to note that one of its loftier goals is to bring crores of
(Governors Conference on 'Role of NEP-2020 in out of school children into the school system and
Transforming Higher Education' Landmark in the reduce innumerable dropouts. More importantly, to
history of education: DrNajmaHeptulla, Source: The reduce the burdensome syllabus, focus on vocational
Sangai Express / DIPR Imphal, September 07 2020:) A education and environmental education are crucial
video conference of Governors and Lieutenant aspects well covered by NEP. Students will be much
Governors on 'Role of National Education Policy more empowered and have the opportunity to choose
(NEP) 2020 in Transforming Higher Education' was the subjects they wish to study, " she added.
held today at New Delhi. The conference was Acknowledging NEP-2020 for barring Medical and
organised by the Department of Higher Education, Law Colleges, Dr. NajmaHeptulla said that the NEP
Ministry of Education, Government of India. The also makes an attempt to improve governance by
occasion was divided into different sessions such as bringing in a single regulator to look after all
inaugural session, interaction with Governors and educational institutions. This is a significant step. In
Lieutenant Governors, Education Minister of States and addition, the NEP also aims at a holistic education by
Union Territories, Special Session on NEP-2020, envisioning the convergence of Science and Arts
Technical Session and discussion. In the interaction streams. The focus on ethics and human and
with Governors and Lieutenant Governors, Governor of Constitutional values will go a long way in the creation
Manipur, Dr Najma Heptulla stated that the New of an enlightened citizenship essential for deepening
Education Policy-2020 will certainly be a landmark in our democratic roots. The Governor opined that the
the history of education in India, for the policy is policy also expands the scope of foundational
comprehensive, holistic, far sighted and will certainly education, increasing the school going years from 3 to
play a pivotal role in the Nation's future growth. This 18 instead of the prevalent 6 to 14.
Policy was passed after more than three decades-the This will enable a more holistic development of
first one was framed in 1986 and modified in 1992. children in the formative age group of 3-6 years.
"During this period of more than three decades, Setting up a National Mission on Foundational
significant changes were noticed in our country Literacy and Numeracy is a much needed, timely step
pertaining to socio- economy and the globe at large. to improve the quality of education at the primary
Therefore, it appears quite legitimate that the education education level NEP recognises the importance of
sector also needs to strengthen itself towards the nutrition to the all round development of children and
demands of the 21st century and the needs of the people has therefore included a provision for an energy filled
and the country. "Quality education as well as breakfast, in addition to the nutritious midday meal, to
innovation and research will be the pillars on which help children achieve better learning outcomes. It may
India will become a knowledge superpower. It is, in be mentioned that Prime Minister NarendraModi
this context, a New Education Policy is needed at this addressed the inaugural session and President Ram
juncture, " she said. Dr Najma Heptulla added that the NathKovind graced the conference. Minister of
Government of India, accordingly, mooted the process Education, Government of India Ramesh Pokhriyal
of formulating a New Education Policy, to begin with, 'Nishank' attended the conference too.
through the consultation process in which expert
opinions, field experiences, stakeholder feedback as Teachers Education
well as lessons learned from best practices were taken The highlights of NEP-2020 for teacher’s education
into consideration. She strongly viewed that the New part of higher education section [1], [2], [4] are listed
Education Policy 2020 will certainly be a landmark in below:
the history of education in India, for the policy is 1) All stand-alone Teachers Education Institutions
comprehensive, holistic, far sighted and will certainly should convert themselves as Multi-disciplinary
play a pivotal role in the Nation's future growth. "The HETs by 2030 to offer only four-year integrated
policy is welcomed by one and all of our Nation which B. Ed. programme.
seeks to transform India into a vibrant knowledge 2) All schools of foundation, preparatory, middle,
society. It is a pride in India as well as acceptance of and secondary level should appoint 4-year
the best ideas and practices in the world of learning integrated B. Ed. degree holders as teachers with
from across the globe. It is a matter of great satisfaction dual major specializations (Education &
Prof. (Dr.) Abhay Kumar 6560

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6561 Journal of Positive School Psychology

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