Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the conclave on ‘School Education in 21st Century’ under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 through video conferencing today. While addressing the nation on ‘School Education in 21st Century’ under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, “India’s education system had remained unchanged in the past three decades. It was critical to bring a new education policy, however, proper implementation needs to be ensured. Questions relating to the implementation and execution are important and critical.”
Here are the highlights of PM Modi speech on National Education Policy 2020:
- A national curriculum framework will be developed; students should have a new curriculum in 2022 when nation marks 75th year of Independence.
- We need to understand one scientific thing that language is the medium of education, language is not all education. In whichever language the child can easily learn, the same language should be the permanent language of learning. Is should not be that the energy of the child is spent more on understanding the language than the subject.
- Can a test or a marksheet be a parameter for children’s learning, their mental development? Today the truth is that marksheet has become a mental pressure sheet.
- Children are learning while playing. When they are talking in the family, when they go out– they keep on learning. But often parents do not ask children what they have learned. They also ask how much marks were scored.
- But in the real world, it happens in our lives that all the work can be done with the knowledge of only one field? In reality, all subjects are related to each other. Every Learning is Inter-related.
- Our earlier education policy has also tied our students very much. The student who takes Science could not study Arts or Commerce. For those with Arts-Commerce, it is assumed that they are reading History, Geography, Accounts because they cannot read the signs.
- We have to advance our students with 21st Century Skills. What will these 21St Century Skills be? These will be:-Critical Thinking, Creativity, Collaboration, Curiosity, and Communication.
- The NEP 2020 has been designed in a similar way to reduce syllabus and focus on fundamental things. A National Curriculum Framework will be developed to make learning integrated and Inter-Disciplinary, Fun Based and Complete Experience.
- There are so many professions that require deep skills, but we do not value them. If students see them, there will be a kind of emotional connection, they will respect them. It may be that many of these children grow up to join such industries, pursue them.
- It was required to change the old education policy as it is required to change old blackboard.
- We’ll shift from “Learn to read” to “read to learn” through NEP 2020.
- Every region across the country has something of its own, some traditional art, workmanship, products are famous everywhere. Visit the students in those looms, handlooms, see how these clothes are made? Such skilled people can also be called in school.
- We have to increase easy and innovative methods. Our experiment should be the core of New Age Learning- Engage, Explore, Experience, Express and Excel.
- When education is combined with the surrounding environment, it affects the student’s entire life, it also falls on the whole society.
- Mathematical thinking and scientific temperament should develop in children, it is very necessary. And Mathematical thinking does not only mean that children solve Mathematics problems, rather it is a way of thinking.
- A few days ago the Ministry of Education had asked Teachers across the country for their suggestions on MyGov about implementing the National Education Policy (NEP 2020). More than 1.5 million suggestions have been received within a week. These suggestions will help in implementing the National Education Policy more effectively.
- I am glad that our principals and teachers are participating enthusiastically in this campaign to implement the National Education Policy.
- Now the real work has started. We have to implement the National Education Policy in the same effective manner. And we will do this work together.
- The new National Education Policy is also a means of fulfilling new India, new expectations, new requirements. Behind it is the hard work of the last four-five years, people of every field, every genre, every language have worked on it day and night. But this work has not been completed yet.
- Every region of the world has changed in the last three decades. Every system has changed. There is hardly any aspect of our life in these three decades which is the same as before. But the path on which society moves towards the future, our education system, it was still running on the old pattern.
About NEP 2020:
NEP 2020 was approved on July 29, 2020, by the Union cabinet of India. The policy’s focus on Higher Education in the country would have a far-reaching impact. It also addresses the importance of research and multi-disciplinary approach. Within its ambit, the policy proposes discontinuation of M. Phil and also a 4-year bachelors’ degree with research.
Students to Follow their Passion under NEP 2020 :
Addressing the Conclave on NEP 2020, PM Modi also touched upon a very important aspect i.e. multidisciplinary approach in higher education. He said that doing away with rigid stream-based structure at higher secondary level and provision of Multiple Entry and Exit Options to the students along with creation of a Carry Forward Credit Bank, will help students to follow their passion without having to worry about their future. This will also promote the culture of re-skill and up-skill among the students, which will play pivotal role in the new era of knowledge economy.
Education to be based on Discussion, Inquiry, Discovery and Analysis :
PM Modi also added that NEP’s focus on development of cognitive learning will promote innovative and critical thinking among students. This will lead to an education system that is based on Inquiry, Discovery, Discussion and Analysis; ultimately promoting the zeal to learn among students right form school level to higher education and even at the level of doctoral research.
From ‘What to Think’ to ‘How to Think’ :
Another important aspect of NEP 2020 that PM discussed was that the policy plans to bring about structural changes to the education system that will transform the way education is looked upon across the country. He said that under the New Education Policy 2020, emphasis is being shifted from teaching ‘What to Think’ to ‘How to Think’. This will lead to development of the cognitive abilities and reasoning sense among the students.
NEP 2020 to promote Critical Thinking & Innovative Ability among students :
In his address, PM Modi also said that the new Education Policy 2020 has been designed after a very extensive and thorough exercise in which views and opinions from various stakeholders, right from schools in rural villages to academic think-tanks were invited and incorporated. This has helped in building a comprehensive Education Policy that is not only focused on few options but promotes Critical Thinking & Innovative Ability among students. He also added that the NEP 2020 introduces Philosophy, Passion and Purpose in the Indian Education system.
New Education Policy to lay foundation of New Bharat, says PM :
Talking about the need of New National Education Policy 2020, PM Modi said that the NEP 2020 will act as an instrument of change that will lay a strong foundation on which the future of ‘Naya Bharat’ will be built. He said that over the years, education was limited to rote learning which focused only on few career options. To overcome this challenge, the NEP 2020 was envisioned as the tool that will spur Curiosity, Imagination and Values among the students in particular and the society in general.
Implementation Key to success of NEP 2020 :
Prime Minister started his address to the Conclave on National Education Policy 2020 by congratulating the HRD Minister, MoS HRD and Dr. K. Kasturirangan Chairman, Committee for draft NEP, for bringing out a visionary policy that will be pivotal for progress of India. However, he said that now after the policy has been announced, people have already started wondering and discussing how will these major reforms be implemented on ground. He said that it is time for all important stakeholders from education domain to start thinking about implementation process as that will hold the key to success of the NEP 2020.
A statement in this regard released by the Ministry of Education said, “The new National Education Policy strives for making India into an equitable and vibrant knowledge society. It envisions an India-centred education system that contributes directly to transforming India into a global superpower.”As per the ministry, “the NEP aims would bring about a paradigm shift in the country’s education system and create an enabling and reinvigorated educational ecosystem for a new ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’ as envisaged by the prime minister.” Recently the ministry of education tweeted that, “As per Hon’ble PM’s vision, implementation of NEP will transform learning for teachers in India. A new National Curriculum Framework for Teacher Education will be formulated to ensure quality education for teachers.” The new NEP 2020 which was unveiled recently includes some major reforms in school and higher education such as shift from 10+2 framework of education to 5+3+3+4 years in school curriculum emphasizing on a strong base of Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) from age 3 onwards. Changes introduced include no definitive distinction between streams to encourage multi-disciplinary choices along with focus on research and research driven institutions.
