NEP 2020 to pave way for transformational reforms in education
Guwahati, Rongili Barta- As a follow up of Varanasi Conclave at Assam administrative staff college in the city, a conference on implementation of NEP 2020 in Assam was organized on Thursday, where both Assam Governor professor Jagdish Mukhi and State chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma were present. Speaking on the occasion, CM Sarma thanked Governor Mukhi for taking the initiative in organizing the conclave on National Education Policy in partnership with the State higher education department. Informing that the government would set up a State Research Foundation in lines with National Research Foundation as envisaged in NEP, Sarma stated that the proposed foundation is expected to promote innovative research with quantifiable outcome. The government is committed to implement NEP for qualitative improvement of education. The fact that it has earmarked 6 percent of State’s GDP for education speaks volume of its intent to develop human resources, added Sarma. Outlining the government’s plan and strategies for implementing NEP, Sarma informed that as a part of the NEP, it will take steps for enabling higher educational institutions to focus on experiential learning, integrating cross-curricular pedagogy and holistic education with focus on Indian knowledge system. He also added that the government is in the process of establishing a holistic governance framework to cover academic affairs with accountability, research and digitization. The department of higher education will collaborate with other related departments to develop skill and training modules to up-skill the potential workforce for industry as per market requirements to help the students with the scope of start-up ecosystem and entrepreneurial ventures, disclosed Sarma adding that the government decided to establish four nano-incubation centres at Bongaigaon, Silchar, Dibrugarh and Tezpur to encourage the spirit of entrepreneurship. Saying that NEP 2020 is a part of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s plan for a new and resurgent India replacing the 34 year old national policy on education (1986), Sarma stated that the new policy is expected to pave the way for transformational reforms in the country’s school and higher education systems. He also added that all universities should imbibe NEP components and create core committees to address varsity specific issues for implementing it in Assam. Sarma commented that as an outcome of the conclave all stakeholders should resolve to create an enabling environment for implementation of NEP in letter and spirit.