Higher Education and New Education Policy 2020

 

Education is the key for growth and development of any country and the developing nation like India is no exception to it. India would have the highest population of youth in the next decade and so the Government of India be held congruously responsible in providing high quality educational opportunities to the youth. This would also determine the position of India in the field of education globally. 

With the advancements in science and technology, the unskilled jobs world wide will be taken over by the machines. The need for skilled workforce particularly involving mathematics, computer science and data science along with multidisciplinary abilities across sciences, social sciences and humanities will be unsparingly demanded. 

1.    Unemployment in India

As per the survey done by the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO), between 2004-2017, the unemployment in India is at a 45 year high and total employment grew by 4.5 crore for 13 years. The major findings are listed below.

•  Though, the total employment grew by 4.5 crore, it is found that increase of 4.2 crores happened in urban areas while employment contracted or was stagnant. 

• Employment for men grew by 6 crore but it fell by 1.5 crore for women.

• Employment for youth between the ages of 15 and 24 has gone down from 8.14 crore (in 2004) to 5.34 crore in 2017.

• Employment based on the level of education has reduced to 14.2 in 2017 from 20.08 crore in 2004.

• The rate of growth of employment in unorganized sector has been slower (from 37.1 per cent in 2004 to 47.7 per cent in 2017). Nevertheless, the employment has risen from 8.9% in 2004 to 14% in 2017.

Thus, it is evident from the NSSO study and the data from census 2011, that unemployment is more common with literates and those who are qualified, which is well supported by the following chart. 

Hence, this calls for 360 Degree change in our education system. Education should emphasis less on content and more on critical thinking, problem solving , creativity, multi disciplinary , innovation and adaptability to change. It should empower learners to become ethical, rational , compassionate and caring in the course of preparing them for employment. The mission and vision of educational institutions must revolve around whole person education. The curriculum framed and the pedagogy used must make education experiential, holistic, integrated, inquiry-driven, discovery-oriented, learner-centered, discussion-based, flexible, and enjoyable. The gap that exists between the current learning outcomes with the actual requirements should abridged through major reforms to bring high quality and equity in the Indian education system.

With this regard, the New Education Policy 2020 was proposed to revise and revamp the education structure, its governance and regulation in alignment with the goals of 21st century education. It is based on the principle that any education must allow the students to thrive in the competitive world with higher order cognitive capacities i.e, critical thinking, problem solving; social, emotional and ethical capacities.

2.    Vision of New Education Policy 2020

• to transform Bharat (India) into an equitable and vibrant society of knowledge
• to provide high- quality education to all
• to inculcate a deep sense of respect to the Fundamental Duties and Constitutional values
• to accredit a conscious awareness of one's roles and responsibilities
• to instill in the learners, a deep rooted pride in being Indian, in thought, spirit, intellect and deeds
• to develop knowledge, skills, values and inherent character that support responsible commitment to human rights, sustainable development and living and global wellbeing.

3.    Higher Education and NEP 2020

Higher education contributes to livelihood and economic development of the country. Hence, it must enable learners to have a deep study of one or more areas of interest along with development of character, ethics, values, intellectual curiosity, scientific temper, creativity and spirit of service. It must prepare students for more meaningful and satisfying lives and work roles and enable economic independence. India's higher education system is the third largest in the world, next to the USA which is governed by the University Grants Commission. Hence, the NEP 2020 paves the way to solve the problems currently faced by the higher education system in India.

The key changes to the current system would be :

• Availability and accessibility of large, multidisciplinary universities and colleges.
• More higher educational institutions offering programmes in regional Indian languages.
• More multidisciplinary undergraduate education.
• Faculty and institution autonomy.
• Revamping of curriculum, pedagogy and assessment for enhanced learning experiences.
• Filling leadership positions through merit appointments and career progression based on teaching, research and service.
• Establishment of National Research Foundation to fund outstanding peer reviewed research and to actively seed research in universities and colleges.
• Governance of HEIs by highly qualified independent boards.
• Single regulator for higher education.
• Scholarships for underprivileged and disadvantaged students; online education and open distance learning ; availability of  learning materials and accessibility of infrastructure for  learners with disabilities.

The above changes and initiatives would also attract international students to study in India, providing greater mobility to students who study in India and who wish to visit, study at, transfer credits to or carry research at Institutions in India or abroad. India will become a global study destination providing premium education at affordable cost. Each HEI hosting foreign students will set up an International Students Office to coordinate. Research/teaching collaborations and faculty/ student exchanges will be facilitated with foreign universities through mutually beneficial MOUs. High performing Indian universities will be encouraged to set up campuses in other countries and 100 top universities in the world will be allowed to operate in India. Credits acquired in foreign universities shall be considered for the award of degree in the Indian HEIs.

Students Participation

    Students will get plenty of opportunities for participation in sports, culture/ arts clubs, eco clubs, activity clubs, community service projects etc. Institutions to have counselling systems to help students to handle stress and emotional adjustments. It should also ensure quality medical facilities to its students and increase hostel facilities to support students from rural backgrounds. Financial assistance to be provided on merit basis to SC, ST, OBC and other SEDGs (socially and economically disadvantaged groups). National Scholarship Portal to be expanded to support and track the progress of students receiving scholarships. Private HEIs to be encouraged to provide free ships and scholarships to deserving students.

Role of faculty

    The success of HEIs depends on the quality and engagement of its faculty. Despite the various initiatives taken towards the professional development of faculty, their motivation in teaching, research and service in HEIs is lower than the desired level. Thus, the NEP 2020, recommends the following initiatives to make the teachers best, motivated and capable where they work.

• Provision of well equipped infrastructure and facilities, in all HEIs, including access to latest educational technology for enhanced learning experiences.
• Reduction in the enormous work load and teacher- student ratios , so that teaching becomes enjoyable and satisfying , resulting in contribution of adequate time for interaction with students and conducting research.
• Freedom to frame own curriculum including own textbooks, reading materials etc and design pedagogical approaches, within the approved framework.
• Empower teachers to adopt innovative teaching, research and service, to make them more creative and be outstanding in their performances.
• Excellence to be incentivized by rewards, promotions, recognitions and movement into institutional leadership. Also, faculty who do not deliver on the basic norms shall be held accountable for the same.
• Clearly defined, independent and transparent processes of recruitment in HEIs. A fast track promotion system shall be put in place for recognizing high impact research.
• A multiple parameter system for assessing performance that includes confirmed employment after probation, increase in pay, recognitions, peer and student reviews, innovations in teaching and pedagogy, quality and impact of research, professional development activities and service to institution and community, shall be developed and stated in the Institutional Development Plan(IDP).
• Identification and early training of faculty with high academic, service credentials and had demonstrated leadership and management skills , for future leadership positions.
• Conduct of online training programmes on platforms like SWAYAM/ DIKSHA.
• Establishment of National Mission for Mentoring with a pool of senior/ retired faculty who are willing to provide long and short term mentoring and professional support to university/ college teachers, in Indian languages.

National Research Foundation (NRF)

In order to encourage quality research, NRF shall provide merit based and equitable peer-reviewed funding to State Universities and public corporations, across all disciplines, where research is currently limited. Successful research will be recognized and close linkages with government agencies, industry, philanthropic and private organizations be established. It shall be governed, independently of the Government, by rotating Board of Governors consisting of researchers and innovators across the fields.

Transformation of Regulatory Mechanism

The National Education Commission of India shall be established to address the issues  like heavy concentrations of power within few bodies, conflict of interests among these bodies and lack of accountability, that exists in the regulatory system of higher education. The National Higher Education Regulatory Council (NHERC) for regulation, National Accreditation Council(NAC) for accreditation, Higher Education Grants Council(HEGC) for funds, General Education Council(GEC) for academic standard setting are the four independent institutional structures that will work under the National Education Commission of India. The HECI, an autonomous body shall be based on transparent public disclosure and extensively use of technology to reduce human interface and ensure efficiency.

Regulation of fees

All educational institutions (public and private) shall be held under similar standards of audit and disclosure as a non profit entity, surplus if any to be reinvested in the education sector. Transparent mechanism for fee fixing with upper limit, depending on the accreditation will be developed so that individual institutions shall not be affected. This mechanism will ensure recovery of costs incurred by the HEIs while discharging social obligations. There shall no arbitrary increase in the fees during the students' period of enrolment in a particular programme.

Effective governance and leadership in HEIs

After an institution receives an appropriate graded accreditation a Board of Governors shall be established consisting of highly qualified, competent and dedicated individuals who have proven capabilities and strong sense of commitment towards the institution. It will be empowered to govern the institution without any external interference including the appointment of the head of institution and take decisions relating to governance.

References

https://www.mhrd.gov.in/sites/upload_files/mhrd/files/NEP_Final_English_0.pdf
https://www.jatinverma.org/employment-in-india

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Higher_education_in_India