S S Nathyal
Education policies are the rules and regulations implemented b y the Central and State Governments in their respective territories. The Ministry of Education implemented the New Education p o licy, 2020 to make India a global hub of skilled manpower in the next 25 years. The Government aims to build a Developed India b y 2047. The New Education Policy in India has replaced the three-decade-old policy and transformed the education system. Policy highlights the ‘Transformation is the Mantra’ for growth and prosperity. Policy will modernize the education system and the related laws & rules that govern the operation of the academic realm.
The New Education Policy focuses o n transforming education in India through a “system rooted in Indian ethos that contributes directly to transforming Indian culture into an equitable and vibrant knowledge society”. This education policy will offer high-quality education to everyone, making India a global knowledge superpower. There are 5 guiding pillars of the New Education Policy, namely,
Access :- Education should b e accessible to all citizens.
Equity :- All citizens should have a right to b e treated a t par for seeking education.
Quality :- The policy aims a t providing quality in education both academic a s well a s skilled. Affordability :- Education being state policy n o one should b e deprived of to attain it because of affordability.
Accountability :- The biggest limitation of the existing education system was that n o accountability was guaranteed but it has now been emphasised that the Government ( Central a s well a s states) have been made accountable for failure.
In nutshell it is a very good policy document drafted with visionary approach but impediments in implementation are yet to b e experienced.
Pros and Cons
The New Education Policy will train the youth to meet the different national and international challenges. With the implementation o f the New Education Policy, school education will develop cognitive, social, and emotional skills. Also known a s soft skills, these skills allow the youth to come up with solutions to complex and new-emerging problems. This new policy will highlight the importance of cultural and traditional values, teamwork, perseverance and grit, leadership skills, etc.
Challenges:-
However, this New Education Policy has given birth to some challenges, which must b e addressed properly. The changes in the education policy have been brought after three decades & will b e quite hard for educators and teachers to bring changes in their way of teaching. Moreover, students adapted to the previous education policy will have to struggle with all the changes in the system.
New Education Policy aims to universalize primary education and offer special emphasis to the attainment of foundational literacy in all primary and secondary schools b y 2025.
* A Plethora of reforms are recommended a t the school level to deliver quality education to every child.
* It will transform the school curriculum into a 5+3 +3+4 design, where students in the age group of 3 to 18 years will b e offered education.
* It will transform our traditional ways of examination and assessment system.
* It will raise awareness among the masses to invest in education, increase the use of technology, and focus o n vocational training and adult education for skilled avenues.
* The curriculum load in each subject will b e reduced to its core essential, which will make room for creative and analytical learning.
* The New Education Policy revises and revamps all sectors of the educational structure, from school regulation to education governance.
* A system aligned with the a sp ira tio n a l goals o f the 21 st century will b e created to promote India’s cultural, traditional, and value systems.
* It aims to integrate education with technology through multiple initiatives, such a s energized textbooks, quality e-content, online learning, etc.
* It will rule out the establishment of primary schools in every part of the country.
* Wide scope for different streams including a n out of box idea of “design your degree course” have been introduced. This particular degree course (DYD) has been introduced in Jammu University & Women college, Parade Jammu since last year & re p o rte d lyb e xce lle n t results are experienced.
Budget allocation :- The Union Budget for 2024 -25 has provided 1. 26 lakh crore (against 1.13 lakh crore last year) for education, employment and skillin g in the country. The Government will provide financial support for loans up to Rs 10 la kh for higher education in domestic institutions. In addition the Government will launch a scheme to provide internship opportunities to 1 cro re youth in 500 top companies with Rs 5000 per month a s internship allowance and one-time assistance of Rs 6000 which is being treated support to students for le a rn in g,e a rn in gs & skill development.
CUET- a n attempt to streamline admission process.
Ful form of CUET is Common University Entrance Test. Introduced in its new form b y the NTA, in partnership with the UGC, in 2020, CUET has quickly become the most preferred entrance exam for Indian students seeking admission to the top central and private universities.
CUET has helped overhaul the entire admissions process for UG and PG admission to central, state, and private universities. Here are some o f the reasons why CUET is considered so crucial.
CUET reduces we ighta ge of 1 2 th board marks – Before the advent o f CUET, 1 2 th board marks reigned supreme. UG admissions across all top universities depended entirely o n them. With
CUET, each student can have the same opportunity to get admission to the best colleges.
* Before CUET, students had to run around filling out forms, submitting documents, and fulfilling admission requirements for different colleges. Each college had a separate process, meaning students had to invest much time. CUET has streamlined the process with just one exam and one website for admissions to 249 universities and thousands of programs.
CAREER COUNSELLING :-
With rapid technological advancements and a n ever-evolving job market, making informed decisions about one’s career has never been more essential. Career counselling offers clarity, confidence, and a ro a d ma p to individuals a t various stages o f their educational o r professional journey.
Overall, the benefits of career counseling include increased self-awareness, expanded career options, better market alignment, enhanced job search skills, and enhancing potential strengths.
Vision of career counselling :-
Career counseling can play a critical role in helping students to understand their strengths, weaknesses, interests, and values, so that they become aware about making the right career decisions and career transitions and challenges. This can lead to improved overall career satisfaction and success in life.
Aims and Objectives o f Counselling:-
* Counselling aims a t helping the students understand and accept themselves a s they are.
* Basic aim o f the counselling is to guide students in such a way to bring about a voluntary change. For this purpose the counsellor provides facilities to help to achieve the desired change o r make the suitable choice.
* To encourage and develop special abilities and right attitudes.
* To help the student work out a plan for solving his/ her difficulties.
* To inspire successful endeavour toward attainment.
* To give the student information o n matters important for success.
* To assist the student in planning for educational and vocational choices.
* To help the student know himself better about his interests, abilities, aptitudes and opportunities.
* Counselling aims a t improving personal effectiveness.
* Counselling not only aims a t intellectual development but holistic development of the student that individual differences among them are expected, accepted, understood and planned for and all types of experiences.
In nutshell what ever is expected is being done by Government
(The author is Founder Director, Radha Foundation & retired banker)
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