"We have emphasized passion, practicality and performance in this policy", PM in his Address on NEP 2020

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a meeting on National Education Policy 2020 and its transformational impact on Monday. The conference entitled "The role of NEP-2020 in the transformation of higher education" was organised by the Ministry of Education. Education ministers from all states, President Ram Nath Kovind, Governors, Vice-Chancellors of Universities and other senior officials are also taking part in an online conference.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that there should be a minimum level of government interference in education and education policy.

Addressing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 conference, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said Monday that the new national education policy focuses on learning rather than studying, goes beyond the curriculum to focus on critical thinking. "We have emphasised passion, practicality and performance in this policy," said PM.

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शिक्षा नीति से जितना शिक्षक, अभिभावक जुड़े होंगे, छात्र जुड़े होंगे, उतना ही उसकी प्रासंगिकता और व्यापकता, दोनों ही बढ़ती है।

देश के लाखों लोगों ने, शहर में रहने वाले, गांव में रहने वाले, शिक्षा क्षेत्र से जुड़े लोगों ने, इसके लिए अपना फीडबैक दिया था, अपने सुझाव दिए थे: PM

— PMO India (@PMOIndia) September 7, 2020

"Education policy, the key to meeting the nation's aspirations, but government intervention, should have minimal impact on this. The more teachers, parents, students are involved in education policy, the more relevant and broad-based it will be," he said during the conference.

Inviting all the governors to implement the NEP in their states, Modi said: "It is now our collective responsibility to implement the NEP-2020 spirit in 'Letter and Spirit'." He also asked the governors to organise as many virtual conferences as possible in their respective state universities before September 25.

PM Modi said that efforts are being made to remove all aspects of higher education, whether academic, technical or vocational, from the silos of any kind of education.

Also Read: Education Minister to Answer Queries Regarding NEP Online Tomorrow

PM Modi said: "Administrative layers should be kept to a minimum, there should be more coordination between them, and this effort has also been made through this policy. Any system can be as efficient and inclusive as its governance model.

Talking about the degree of autonomy granted to institutions, Modi said that the attempt underpinning the concept of 'degree autonomy' is also to encourage healthy competition among all colleges, universities, and reward those institutions that perform better.

"Today the world is talking about fast-changing jobs, the nature of work in the future. This policy will prepare young people in the country on both fronts with knowledge and skills as required for the future, "he said.

NEP: Raising New Concerns

There are concerns about the New Education Policy among the general public and stakeholders. PM Modi said that when there are so many major changes to any system, some doubts and apprehensions are natural. He said, "Parents would think that if the children were to have so much freedom if the streams ended, then how would they be admitted to college, what would happen to their careers? He added that professors and teachers would have questions in their minds about how they would be able to prepare themselves for this change?

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How is such a course going to be managed? "You're all going to have a lot of questions, which you're also discussing," said PM Modi.

All these issues are important, everyone is working together to solve every issue. There is a continuous dialogue with the Ministry of Education.

"The whole talk of every stakeholder in the states, every opinion is heard with an open mind. After all, we all have to solve all our doubts and apprehensions together, "he said.

He added, "There is also a focus on basic learning and languages. The focus is also on learning outcomes and teacher training. It has also undergone extensive access and assessment reforms. This has shown a way to empower every student.

Talking about the importance of education stakeholders, PM said that the more teachers and parents are linked to education policy, the more students will be connected, the more relevant and more comprehensive they will be. He said, "Education policy and the education system are important means of fulfilling the country's aspirations. Central, state, local authorities are all under the responsibility of the education system.

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