The New Education Policy (NEP) has infused a new wave of optimism with the vision of strengthening the education system, branching out into varied dimensions of skill-based learning to empower the Indian youth with the new age dynamism. The policy has arrived at the most appropriate time, when India is all geared up to redefine itself as "Atmanirbhar Bharat".
The newly envisaged framework aims to provide a holistic development for the learners that is largely aligned towards concept-based study to enhance critical thinking and a focused approach on experiential learning. It is oriented towards an outcome-based approach and would help bridging the gap between Academics and industry employability.
Key components of NEP:
Creative combination of subjects without stiff demarcations between vocational and academic streams, a seamless integration of vocational studies, the 4-year multidisciplinary degrees with entry and exit options, capitalizing on modern technology, creating capabilities for online learning, allowing foreign universities to set up in India and all these setting the right synergies envisioned towards India emerging as the "vishwa guru", the knowledge superpower.
Emergence of a vibrant institutional architecture:
The upcoming education ecosystem would witness the disruptive innovation with promising inclusions to deliver a variety of customized skill-based courses to match up to the dynamic industry requirements. This transformation would be fueled by the following policy ingredients:
- Elevate the Gross Enrolment Ratio in higher studies from 26.3 percent (2018) to 50 percent by 2035. It is projected to add 3.5 crore new seats to HEIs.
- 4-year multidisciplinary degrees with entry and exit options with an academic bank for credits for the final degree.
The aforesaid inclusions paired with flexibility in subject combinations would work at building the desired skills set. We had silo formats, where each course was confined to a specific discipline and was missing the understanding of the real scenarios. A civil engineer, aspiring to bloom into an entrepreneur, needs to understand the complexities of accounts for a successful establishment. The multi-disciplinary approach would surely take us in the desired growth trajectory in the coming years.
Education framework driven by digitisation:
The policy aims to create a framework embedded with digital infrastructure and technology advancements to provide today`s youth an access to quality learning. The online education is proving its mettle and is consistently driving knowledge management initiative and leveraging learning platforms for blended learning.
The comprehensive set of initiatives such as creating a digital infrastructure, e-learning modules, online courses in academics and vocational education, are aiming to create a future ready youth. An important introduction of "coding" as an essential skill from Class VI onwards is a very progressive and welcoming inclusion. This would surely result into skilled manpower eligible for job opportunities worldwide.
