Discuss the salient features of national policy of india on education?
Answers
The National Policy on Education (NPE) is a policy formulated by the Government of India to promote education amongst India's people. The policy covers elementary education to colleges in both rural and urban India. The first NPE was promulgated in 1968 by the government of Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, and the second by Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1986. The government of India has appointed a new committee under K. Kasturirangan to prepare a Draft for the new National Education Policy in 2017.[1].
National Policy on Education: Feature # 1.
The Essence and Role of Education:
1. All-round Development:
“In our national perception education is essential for all, as it is fundamental to our all round development—material and spiritual”.
2. Acculturating Role:
Education has to play an acculturating role as it refines sensitivities and perceptions that contribute to national cohesion, a scientific temper and independence of mind and spirit—thus furthering the goals of socialism, secularism and democracy enshrined in our constitution.
3. Man-power Development:
Education develops man-power for different levels of national economy. It is also the substrata on which research and development flourish, being the ultimate guarantee of national self-reliance.
4. A unique Investment:
Education is a unique investment in the present and the future for all round development of nation in all its manifestations.
National Policy on Education: Feature # 2.
National System of Education:
The NPE ’86 has lucidly explained: “The concept of a ‘National System of Education’ implies that, up to a given level, all students, irrespective of caste, creed, location or sex have access to education of a comparable quality. To achieve this end, the government will initiate funded programmes. Effective measures will be taken in the direction of the common school system recommended in 1968 policy”.
1. Common Educational structure:
It envisages a common educational structure i.e. 10 + 2 + 3 which was recommended by Kothari Commission (1964-66). This structure has now been accepted in all parts of the country. Regarding the further break-up of first 10 years efforts will be made to move towards an elementary system comprising 5 years of primary education and 3 years of upper primary followed by 2 years of High School.
2. National Curricular Framework with a Common Core:
The national system of education will be based on a national curricular framework which contains a common core along with other components that are flexible. The common core will include the history of India’s freedom movement, the constitutional obligations and other content essential to nurture national identity.
These elements cut across subject areas and will be designed to promote values such as India’s common cultural heritage, egalitarianism, democracy, secularism, equality of sexes, protection of the environment, removal of social barriers, observation of small family norm and inculcation of scientific temper. All educational programmes will be carried on in spirit conformity with secular values.
The following common scheme of studies has been suggested in the national curriculum framework:
(i) One language at primary level and three languages at the upper primary and secondary level,
(ii) Mathematics,
(iii) Environmental studies—science and social sciences,
(iv) Work-experience/S.U.P.W., pre-vocational courses,
(v) Art education, and
(vi) Health and physical education.
3. Equality of Opportunity of Education:
To promote equality it will be necessary to provide for equal opportunity to all not only in access, but also in the conditions for success. Besides, awareness of the inherent equality of all will be created through the spectrum of core curriculum. The purpose is to remove prejudices and complexes transmitted through the social environment and the accident by birth.
4. Minimum Levels of Learning:
It will be laid down for each stage of education. This will ensure a comparable standard of education for each area of learning in the curriculum. This will serve as a reference in the development of instructional materials, selection of suitable teaching learning strategies and evaluating learner’s progress. It would also help maintaining a reasonable standard of education throughout the country.
5. Understanding of Cultural and Social Systems:
The NPE ’86 states, “steps will be taken to foster among students an understanding of diverse cultural and social system of the people living in different parts of the country. To promote this objective, the link language has to be developed and programmes of translating books from one language to another and publishing multi-lingual dictionaries and glossaries should be implemented.” The Policy stated, “The young will be encouraged to undertake the rediscovery of India, each in his own image and perception”.