Delhi: June 2: ‘School education is the foundation of a knowledge-based society and National education policy (NEP) is a knowledge document that aims to promote all-round development and make education accessible to everyone, said Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan while addressing the inaugural session on the 2nd day of the National School Education Ministers’ Conference.
The Minister said that we are in the age of Amrit Kaal. The next 25 years are crucial to establish India as a knowledge economy that is committed to global welfare, he added. We are a civilisation which believes in Vasudhaiv Kutumbukam and we must realise that we have not only responsibilities of our nation but also that of the world.
The Minister highlighted 5+3+3+4 approach of NEP covering pre-school to secondary, emphasis on ECCE, teacher training & adult education, integration of skill development with school education and prioritising learning in mother tongue which are steps for preparing global citizens of the 21st century.
The Minister informed that the Government is in the process of establishing PM Shri schools which will be fully equipped to prepare students for the future. These state-of-the-art schools will be the laboratory of NEP 2020. He solicited suggestions and feedback from all our states/UTs and the entire education ecosystem for creating a futuristic benchmark model in the form of PM Shri schools.
The Minister stressed that experience and knowledge sharing from all state Education Ministers in structured and outcome-based discussions at the conference today will lead one step further towards transforming the learning landscape, in line with the NEP 2020. He expressed confidence that the deliberations taking place in this conference will go a long way in strengthening the education system across the country.
Addressing a conference Chief Minister of Gujarat Bhupendra Patel clearly stated that, realizing the need to constantly redefine and redesign the teaching and learning process, Prime Minister Narendra Modi has changed the 34 year old education policy and has given the new national education policy to the country considering knowledge as the best treasure as per our culture.
Entire nation is joining hands under the leadership of the Prime Minister to realize the goal of the National Education Policy to provide equal and high quality education to all.
The CM added that, Education, health and security are key factors in the development of any nation, state or society. Providing inclusive and equitable education in place of stereotyped and outdated education is the need of hour. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given this New Education Policy with the commitment to provide such timely education to the children and future generation of the nation.
During the eight year tenure of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, many new initiatives have been taken in the country; New Education Policy is one of them. As a result of this policy, the youth of the nation will also get higher education in their regional language. Expenditure on education in the country has almost been doubled, at the same time, enough emphasis has been placed on skill development and the skills of 1.34 crore youth of the country have been enhanced.
Chief Minister also expressed confidence that this two-day conference organized in Gujarat under Azadi Ka Amrut Mahotsav of education ministers and academics from across the nation will strengthen the education sector more efficiently.
Education Minister of Gujarat Jitu Vaghani said that, the National Education Policy is a policy that has been carefully studied by experts and with its implementation we will be able to see a new change in the society. National Education Policy – will prove to be an important document for the future of the country and the new India. Thus implementation of such policy is the responsibility of all of us. Education is our biggest responsibility for the society and the new education policy will be a golden step in fulfilling this responsibility with full allegiance.
In her introductory remarks to give the perspective of the conference by Secretary, School Education, Government of India Smt Anita Karwal said that in order to mitigate the impact of the pandemic, a multi-pronged and holistic approach need to be taken to ensure that children received suitable support.
She informed that a comprehensive learning recovery plan (LRP) has been prepared which delineates the action to be undertaken by each stakeholder, indicative annual calendar of activities, existing interventions which can be utilized and additional support with funding as a onetime measure.
