Hello Everyone, welcome to the latest episode of our podcast 'India on Call'. Again Abhishek, Anubhav, and Aditya are back to discuss the weekly news agenda.
In this week's episode, they are discussing the very new National Education Policy. A report headed by K. Rangarajan was submitted to the union government which has now been accepted by the cabinet ministry. There are many basic changes in the present education systems even the name of the Ministry of HRD is now renamed as the Ministry of Education.
Abhishek started the discussion by telling what actually is Education Policy, why it is needed, and a basic outline on the historical facts of education policy in India.
Anubhav showered light on the flaws of the existing education policy.
He described how flawed teaching methodology and lack of training of teachers have lead students to lose interest in the subject. Another shortcoming was stress on percentage and grade. He also explained how the current education system fails to act as a bridge between industry and universities. Another issue is how our students fair poorly in mathematics and comprehension skills compared to the global average.
Anubhav also brought to notice how our current education system fails to provide key life skills to students like financial literacy and Sex education. Later Aditya asked Abhishek what’s are the takeaways of the current system. Abhishek told that the new education system dismantles the current 10+12 system with a 5+3+3+4 system. The NEP proposes sweeping changes including opening up of Indian higher education to foreign universities, dismantling of the UGC, and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), the introduction of a four-year multidisciplinary undergraduate program with multiple exit options, and discontinuation of the M Phil program.
In school education, the policy focuses on overhauling the curriculum, “easier” Board exams, a reduction in the syllabus to retain “core essentials” and thrust on “experiential learning and critical thinking”. Aditya asked Anubhav what is the flaw of NEP. Anubhav mentioned The NEP doesn’t say anything specifically on children of parents with transferable jobs, Aditya asked Abhishek what he liked about NEP. Abhishek told that multiple exit-entry options and graduate level is the most sweeping change. In the endnote, Anubhav told that when our expenditure on education will more than 6% of GDP true research will be done and that would make in a golden bird again.
Aditya ended the show saying time would tell that the NEP will bring sweeping changes or the 484 page document will be a just a headache for UPSC aspirant.
