PM Modi speaks on the New Education Policy, calls it "Much Awaited Reform That Will Transform Millions"

Speaking on the matter of the New Education Policy, PM Modi said that he wholeheartedly welcomes the reform. This was a long due and much-awaited reform in the education sector. It will transform millions of lives in the times to come, he further added. In a thread of tweets, he underlined the major announcements from the Policy.

After 34 years, the New Education Policy needed this change. The previous policy was out of date, and not about the current needs of millennials and Gen-Z generation. These kids grew up in booming use of technology and place skills over rote learning. Hence, students needed these changes. PM Modi said, everyone will remember this policy as a shining example of participative governance. He further thanked all those who worked in the formulation of the NEP 2020.

Highlights of the New Education Policy (in words of PM Narendra Modi)

1. NEP 2020 is based on the pillars of Access, Equity, Quality, Affordability and Accountability. Thus, in this era of knowledge, where learning, research and innovation are important, the NEP will transform India into a vibrant knowledge hub.

2. NEP 2020 gives utmost importance towards ensuring universal access to school education. Thus, there is an emphasis on aspects such as better infrastructure, innovative education centres to bring back dropouts into the mainstream. So, this will facilitate multiple pathways to learning among others.

3. The NEP has replaced 10+2 structure of school curricula with a 5+3+3+4 curricular structure. It will benefit younger children. It will also be in tune with global best practices for the development of the mental faculties of a child. There are reforms in school curricula and pedagogy too.

4. NEP 2020 has provisions to set up a Gender Inclusion Fund and also Special Education Zones. These will especially focus on making education more inclusive. NEP 2020 would improve the education infrastructure and opportunities for persons with disabilities.

He also talks about the pedagogy changes in the Higher Education Sector

5. Indian Higher Education sector will have a holistic and multi-disciplinary approach. UG education will offer flexible curricula, creative combinations of subjects, integration of vocational education. Further, UG education would also include multiple entries and exit points with appropriate certification. There will be an Academic Bank of Credit to enable digital storage of credits. Students can earn it from different HEIs and also transfer and count it as a part of the final degree.

6. The New Education Policy includes systems to promote Indian languages, including Sanskrit. It has also added many foreign languages at the secondary level. Further, it has standardized Indian Sign Language (ISL) across the country.

7. Lastly, he added that NEP has added many new aspects. These include the widening the availability of scholarships, strengthening infrastructure for Open and Distance Learning, Online Education and increasing the usage of technology.