Education Minister talks with Directors of IITs, NITs, IISER and IISCs

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  Education Minister talks with Directors of IITs, NITs, IISER and IISCs

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1. The story: The Union Education Minister Ramesh Pokriyal held a virtual meeting with directors of IITs, NITs, IISER & IISCs, to review Covid-19 management, online learning and latest status of implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
2. Key decisions pending: No call on the conduct or cancellation of Class 12 Board exam was taken at the meeting even as a section of students and parents have been demanding cancellation of exams in view of the COVID-19 pandemic situation.
3. Topics for discussion: Broadband connection and better online infrastructure in schools were discussed in the meeting where around 50 education bureaucrats including principal secretaries from various states participated. The minister listened to suggestion on how to improve the school education during pandemic and how online and TVs can be used more for mainstream education during the current phase.
4. Summary: In April 2021, the Centre announced the postponement of CBSE Class 12 board exams and had cancelled the Class 10 exams after a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The ministry has also postponed all exams of higher education scheduled in May 2021. The government needs to have a strong action plan from here on, to help millions of school students recover from a significant loss of studies over the past 15 months.
5. Knowledge centre:

• NEP 2020 - The NEP 2020 proposes sweeping changes including opening up of Indian higher education to foreign universities, dismantling of the UGC and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), introduction of a four-year multidisciplinary undergraduate programme with multiple exit options, and discontinuation of the M Phil programme. In school education, the policy focuses on overhauling the curriculum, “easier” Board exams, a reduction in the syllabus to retain “core essentials” and thrust on “experiential learning and critical thinking”. In a shift from the 1986 policy, which pushed for a 10+2 structure of school education, the new NEP pitches for a “5+3+3+4” design corresponding to the age groups 3-8 years (foundational stage), 8-11 (preparatory), 11-14 (middle), and 14-18 (secondary). This brings early childhood education (also known as pre-school education for children of ages 3 to 5) under the ambit of formal schooling. The mid-day meal programme will be extended to pre-school children. The NEP says students until Class 5 should be taught in their mother tongue or regional language. The policy proposes phasing out of all institutions offering single streams and that all universities and colleges must aim to become multidisciplinary by 2040. 

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