Outlining that there has not been any allegation of bias against the New Education Policy (NEP) unveiled by his Government, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that it has the potential to not only change the education system but to also transform the entire nation. He said the NEP will be the foundation of the ‘New India’, one that focuses on “how to think” rather than “what to think” that was being stressed upon till now.
Addressing a conclave on ‘Transformational Reforms in Higher Education under National Education Policy’, Modi also spoke on the contentious issue of mother tongue as the mode of teaching in the initial years. Justifying it, the PM said, “We need to make our students global citizens and yet be rooted in their culture. The learning power of students will improve if the language they speak in and the language in which lessons are taught in school is the same. That is why we have recommended teaching in the mother tongue as far as possible - at least class 5. This will strengthen their foundation.”.
Lauding the NEP, he said the fact that there was no allegation from any region or segment that it had any kind of bias or inclination is an indicator that the “changes people wanted to see for years in the education system, they have got to see”.
Asking all stakeholders to discuss the ways to implement the new policy, the PM said: “In recent years, there have not been major changes in education and thus the values of curiosity and imagination were not given the thrust. Instead, we moved towards a herd community. The mapping of interest, ability, and demand was needed. We need to develop critical thinking and innovative thinking abilities in our youths. It will be possible if we have purpose, philosophy, and passion of education.”
The PM said students should get a chance to follow their passion. “We are also trying to ensure that the talent of India stays in India and works for the development of generations to come, said PM.
“With changing time, a new global system has risen. Thus, it was essential for India to change its education system accordingly. Creating a 5+3+3+4 curriculum, and replacing the 10+2 structure was a step in this direction.
“Often students find that what they have learned is not in line with their job. Thus, to give flexibility to students we have given multiple entries and exit points.
We have also freed education from the stream system. Students will have the flexibility to change their course if they do not think it is right for them. We are moving from thinking when a person is not glued to one profession for the entire lifetime and hence s/he needs to skill, re-skill and upskill. These issues are part of NEP,” the PM said about the main features of the NEP. He added that NEP shifts focus from what to think to how to think.
“Till now, we have focussed on what to think but NEP 2020 focuses on how to think,” he pointed out.