Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that National Education Policy (NEP) is going to give a new direction to 21st century India and we are becoming part of a moment that is laying the foundation for building the future of our country. He said that hardly any aspect of our life remained the same in the last three decades yet our education system is still running under the old system. The new National Education Policy is a means to fulfil new aspirations, new opportunities of a New India, he said.
Modi said this while addressing the Conclave on ‘School Education in 21st Century’ under National Education Policy’ through video conference. The two-day Conclave on “School Education in 21st Century” was organised by the Ministry of Education which saw the presence of Education Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal, Minister of State for Education Sanjay Dhotre, Secretary, Department of Higher Education Amit Khare, Secretary amongst others.
The Prime Minister stressed on the need to increase such easy and innovative methods. These experiments should be the core of our new age learning - Engage, Explore, Experience, Express and Excel.
Modi said that the NEP 2020 is a result of hard work of people from every region, every sector and every language in the last 3 to 4 years. He said the actual work begins now, with the implementation of the policy. He urged the teachers to work together for an effective implementation of the National Education Policy.
The Prime Minister said it is legitimate that many questions arise after the announcement of the Policy and that it is necessary to discuss such issues in this conclave to move forward.
PM stressed the importance of replacing the old 10 Plus 2 with the system of 5 Plus 3 Plus 3 Plus 4. He said now playful education of the pre-school which is limited to private schools in cities will also reach villages once this policy is implemented.
Modi said the students engage in activities, events, projects according to their interest. Then children learn to express in a constructive way. He said that children should be taken on study tours to historical places, places of interests, to farms, industries etc, as it would give them practical knowledge. The Prime Minister said this is now not happening in all the schools. He said because of this, many students are not getting practical knowledge. He said that by exposing the students to practical knowledge their curiosity would increase and also their knowledge. If students see the skilled professionals then there will be a kind of emotional connection, they will understand the skills and respect them. It is possible that many of these children grow up to join such industries or even if they choose another profession it will remain in their mind of what can be innovated to improve such profession.