New Delhi (NVI): New Education Policy (NEP) is the foundation of strengthening the 21st century India as it will make sure that every student is future-ready and contribute to nation-building, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said today.
PM Modi was delivering the inaugural address at the “Conclave on Transformational Reforms in Higher Education” under the National Education Policy (NEP). The conclave was organised by the Human Resource Development Ministry and the University Grants Commission (UGC). He joined the conclave through video-conferencing.
The NEP, approved by the cabinet at a meeting presided by PM Modi, replaces the 34-year-old National Policy on Education and is aimed at paving the way for transformational reforms in school and higher education systems.
“Today the new education policy is widely discussed across the country. People from different fields, ideologies are giving their views and reviewing the policy. This is a healthy debate that will benefit the country’s education system,” Modi said in his inaugural address.
He added, “NEP has been approved after a long brainstorming session with millions of suggestions and after 3-4 years of extensive deliberations.”
“After the National Education Policy was released, no section of the country said that the policy is biased. It is a matter of happiness,” the PM added.
The Prime Minister said, “Till date, we’ve been focusing on ‘What to Think’ in our education policy. In the NEP, we’re focusing on ‘How to Think’. There is an avalanche of information in this digital era, and thus, we’ve tried to filter out what’s not needed. How can our youth think critically and innovate unless we ensure a purpose in the education system… unless they can be passionate. The 5+3+3+4 structure – moving forward from 10+2 structure – is a step in this direction.”
He said that now all eyes are on the implementation of such a big reform in the education sector. The objective of this policy is to keep its current and next generations future-ready.
In addition to this, PM Modi also quoted Dr APJ Abdul Kalam and said, “Purpose of education to make good human beings with skill and expertise.”
NEP focusses on upskilling of teacher and teacher-training. We have kept in mind the dignity of teachers. When a teacher learns, a nation leads, Modi said.
PM Modi concluded his speech by thanking everyone who has worked tirelessly for the new education policy and invited everyone to contribute to shaping the future of the 21st century through this policy
Union Human Resource Development Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal and Union Minister of State for Communications, Sanjay Dhotre participated in the event along with a number of dignitaries including the Chairman and Members, Committee for Draft NEP as well as eminent academicians/scientists.
-CHK/ARK
