'Draft New Educational Policy Comprehensive, Hurdles Likely in Implementation'

The draft New Educational
Policy released by the Ministry of Human Resources Development is very
comprehensive and in keeping up with the changing dynamics of society but may
face several implementational challenges, according to a cross section of experts
who attended the 49th Rajagiri Roundtable titled New Education Policy: Vision on School Education held on 12th June, 2019 at Rajagiri
School of Engineering and Technology (RSET). Mr R Ramabhadran Pillai, Editor of Pallikkutam Magazine introduced the topic, welcomed and introduced the panelists.
Dr D Dhanuraj, Chairman of
Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR) said that the draft report addresses
many issues facing the school education system. It recognises the fact that
pre-primary education currently faces many problems and it is the
responsibility of the state to develop this segment. It recognises the fact that
the child of 3-6 years of age is ready to learn, imbibe new knowledge and the State has neglected
this age group which can be the most productive period of initiation into the
world of learning, Dr Dhanuraj said. "The report is trying to reflect on
all the changes that are happening in the world, how technology can be
effectively used to impart education in an interesting manner."
Dr M C Dileep Kumar, former
Vice Chancellor of Sree Sankaracharya University of Sanskrit said that the
biggest challenge will be in implementing the report recommendations across the
country with diverse languages and cultures. There are bound to be objections
from different quarters to change and how administrative efficiency can be
improved is a question that should haunt policy makers. It is nevertheless a
task oriented report and it would be better if a comparative study is done on
the existing reports under implementation- the Kothari Committee Report of 1966
and the 1986 Education Policy report, he added.
Ruby Antony, Vice Principal of
Rajagiri Public School, Kalamassery said that the existing educational system
based on the Kothari Committee and 1986 Educational Policy is no more
sufficient to impart 21st century skills. In the last six decades it had helped
create a large army of English speaking graduates, scientists and engineers
skilled in maths and sciences and they were the envy of the world. But with
globalisation of learning and advent of internet, the rote -based learning and
exam based teaching methodologies were not delivering results. Our students
were performing badly in several international assessments. The 10 + 2
system with its emphasis on marks and the rush for getting admission into
professional colleges had resulted in mushrooming of tuition and coaching
centres. She said that the government schools were largely neglected and Sarva
Shiksha Abhiyan failing to deliver results the system itself was crying for
change. The new draft polcy is a welcome step taken by the India Government and
it involves a total restructuring of school curriculum and pedagody.
Sajeev Kumar PP, District
Member of All India Save Education Committee said that any new policy should
take into account the social realities- the average income, life style, customs
and traditions of our diverse nation that has 135 crore population. He also
felt that there should be a rethink on whether we have attained the objectives
set out in the Kothari Commission and the 1986 Education Policy.
Dr Dhanuraj said that the
restructuring of the 8-12 grades in school into 8 semesters with a student
allowed to take an examination any time during the year is a welcome step.
However, he expressed the fear that since the report challenges existing
institutional structures and authority including a regulatory body for the
state, 99% of the recommendations may not be implemented.
Dr Job Kuruvila was of the view
that the report is excellent but most often educational reforms in the country
or its attainments usually talk about
quantity not stressing on quality of education. Inputs in education are
tangible but output is intangible. He felt
that the report is blind to the realities of India’s education system
and unless 13-14% of GDP is allocated to education, much of the reforms cannot
be implemented.
Dr PR Poduval, Former Director
of School of Communication and Management Studies at CUSAT said that the real
problem in implementing this report was
that resources are not there, teachers are not ready, parents are not ready and
education has become a matter of politics.
(This is the first of the four part series on the
deliberations of the 49th Rajagiri Roundtable to be pubished in Pallikkutam.com.
The major recommendations of the panel of experts will be forwarded to the
Ministry of HRD before June 30 and also published as a comprehensive report in
Pallikkutam Magazine July 2019 issue).
RECOMMENDED NEWS