Once Again, A Knowledge Hub

Source– The post is based on the article “Once Again, A Knowledge Hub” published in “The Times of India” on 28th July 2023.

Syllabus: GS3- Issues related to development and management of education

News- The article explains the steps taken by the government for successful implementation of NEP2020.

How does India have a rich legacy of being a knowledge hub?

India’s profound knowledge reservoir is apparent in the Vedas and Upanishads. These have served as vast reservoirs of wisdom for countless centuries.

India had universities like Nalanda and Takshashila.

What are significant achievements made in recent times to fulfil the objectives of National Education Policy 2020?

Curriculum– Early Childhood Care and Education has been integrated into India’s formal schooling system for the first time. The new National Curriculum Framework for Foundational Stage (NCF-FS) focuses on a play-based pedagogy.

This framework incorporates a diverse range of activities such as conversations, storytelling, music, arts, crafts, games, nature field trips, and interactive play with materials and toys. Textbooks based on NCF-FS have been introduced for classes 1 and 2. It supports the national NIPUN Bharat Mission’s goal of achieving foundational literacy and numeracy by 2026.

The establishment of PM SHRI Schools for Rising India across the nation is the right step in the spirit of NEP.

Blending vocational and mainstream– NEP 2020 places special emphasis on integrating and mainstreaming vocational education with general education. Samagra Shiksha and the Skill India Mission have been aligned to introduce skilling programs at the school level.

In addition, the introduction of the National Credit Framework (NCrF) is a welcome step.

The NCrF allows for multiple entry and exit points. It enables students to re-enter the higher education system at any stage of their life. The credits earned are stored in a student’s Academic Bank of Credit (ABC) for recognition.

The process of earning credits has been expanded to include online courses available on the SWAYAM portal. There is a plan to establish a Digital University in India.

The digital ecosystem for skilling has been strengthened through a unified Skill India Digital platform. It facilitates demand-based skilling, connects with employers, including MSMEs, and grants access to entrepreneurship schemes.

To address language barriers in learning, many higher education institutions now offer technical programs in various Indian languages. AI translation tools are also employed to translate textbooks into different Indian languages. It ensures broader accessibility and inclusivity.

Global presence– India’s institutions are setting up campuses overseas.

IIT Madras is planning a campus in Zanzibar-Tanzania. An MoU to set up IIT Delhi in the UAE was also signed in the presence of the PM earlier this month. Notable foreign universities are setting up campuses in GIFT City in Gujarat.