NEP controlling education system?

Rithu Dravid | NT

Bengaluru The education policies or frameworks often take into consideration opinions of policy makers, subject experts, education stakeholders such as teachers, parents, students, professional organizations etc. based on inputs and perspectives.

However, they are typically framed based on a variety of factors and considerations.

So does the National Education Policy (NEP) base itself on varying priorities for education for the benefit of the students?

Does the NEP control the education system making it difficult to implement and follow?

The debate has had critics say that the policy lacks a clear roadmap for implementation and that the burden of execution might fall disproportionately on states.

Karnataka being the first to implement the NEP in higher education in the year 2021 has now sparked discussions on scrapping it. In a recent announcement made by the Karnataka CM Siddaramaiah, the State Education Policy (SEP), will replace the existing NEP.

However, the NEP has sparked discussions and debates among the general public, educators and policymakers across the state. They question the government on the multiple drawbacks and implementation challenges and execution at various levels.

The public highlight more on the disadvantages of the NEP and feel there is no balance between standardisation and preserving local identity.

Some of the questions they pose will leave one thinking if, ‘Quality of education has been replaced with political ideologies?’

If one can answer this, perhaps the debate will strike a nerve and follow many more war of words. Critics argue on improving the pedagogy with a constructivist, reflective and student-based approach.

According to Primary and Secondary Education Minister, Madhu Bangarappa, no party can have control over the education system and if they do that, they will start imposing their ideology on others.

While he also states the culture and language of Karnataka is equally important as others. The previous BJP-ruled government has accused the present Congress party of abolishing the NEP without understanding it.

However, Karnataka being the first state to implement the policy has now questioned the BJP as to why the NEP was not implemented in other BJP ruled states?

Likewise, the State’s Higher Education Minister, Dr MC Sudhakar argues that, had Karnataka been the only state to have rejected it, it would hold some water.

But he makes a point to ask how many BJPruled states have implemented it?

With opinions sharply divided, political parties have been trying to defend their respective moves citing reasons. Infrastructure challenges, language barriers, shortage of trained teachers, standardization of curriculum, improper guidelines are a burden in the effective implementation of the NEP at various levels.

Authorities say the need of the hour is to rectify flaws in the NEP pertaining to teacher requirements, differently abled children, setting up standard authority in states and so on has to be rectified in the best interest of the student.

“Having a good education framework has always been the vision of Karnataka. It is not a new concept. Having a complete understanding of the education policy without flaws and framing it accordingly will help students at primary, secondary and higher education levels of education. Quality and compulsory education without discrimination should be followed”, adds Sashi Kumar, General Secretary, Associated Management of Schools in Karnataka (KAMS).

The SEP will however, have to modify its strategies and make learning opportunities less complicated and more effective keeping in mind the larger interest of the student’s requirements.

“A nonpartisan approach is necessary to foster a diverse and tolerant learning environment”, say students in the city. Academics say, “The education system should be driven solely with the intention of empowering students to become well rounded individuals. It should be an unbiased progressive education system that serves the needs of all learners. Not an ideology based one that hinders long term progress.”

Although the state run universities are already two years ahead in its NEP implimentation at various stages, they will have to rework with the replacement of the SEP.

“We are waiting for an official confirmation from the government regarding the SEP and other associated rules to be followed”, exclaims Prof, Lingaraja Gandhi, Vice- Chancellor, Bengaluru City University.