What are the findings of the Parliament panel on NEP?

Source: The post is based on the article “What are the findings of the Parliament panel on NEP?” published in The Hindu on 26^th September 2023.

Syllabus: GS 2 – Issues Related with Education

Relevance: concerns associated with the implementation of NEP 2020 and measures needed to address them.

News: In the special session of Parliament, a report titled “Implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020 in Higher Education” was presented by the Parliament Standing Committee on Education.

What are the key findings of the report?

The report evaluated NEP 2020 implementation in higher education, emphasizing that 70% of the country’s 1,043 universities function under the State Act.

Moreover, it pointed out that 94% of students attend State or private institutions, with only 6% in Central higher education institutions. This emphasizes the important role that States play in providing higher education.

What were the issues highlighted by the Committee in the report?

The panel addressed several critical issues, including the rigid separation of academic disciplines, limited access to higher education in socio-economically disadvantaged regions, the scarcity of higher education institutions (HEIs) teaching in local languages, insufficient faculty numbers, etc.

What were the recommendations given by the Committee to address the issues?

First, the committee recommended that by 2030, every district in the country should have at least one multidisciplinary HEI. The Gross Enrolment Ratio in higher education, which includes vocational education, should be increased from 26.3% in 2018 to 50% by 2035.

Second, it recommended increased funding, higher enrolment targets, gender balance, and more financial support and scholarships for Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGs) in public and private HEIs.

Third, the government should promote inclusivity in admission procedures and curriculum, enhance the employability prospects of higher education programs, and develop more degree courses taught in regional languages and bilingually.

Fourth, the government should provide specific infrastructural support for physically challenged students and enforce all no-discrimination and anti-harassment rules.

The Committee cited Jammu and Kashmir as an example of NEP implementation in 2022 which resulted in substantial changes in teaching methods and improved lifelong learning opportunities for students.

Fifth, the Committee proposed improving Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA’s) funding effectiveness by diversifying its sources to include partnerships with private sector, philanthropic foundations, and international institutions.

It also suggested reviewing and adjusting loan interest rates to make them more competitive and affordable for HEIs.

Sixth, the committee raised concerns about the feasibility of implementing the multiple entry and multiple exit (MEME) system in Indian institutions.

They highlighted that while MEME works well in Western institutions, it may disrupt the pupil-teacher ratio in Indian institutions due to uncertainties in student enrollment and exit.