Government sets a target of 50% Gross Enrollment in Higher Education by 2035 says Union Minister of Education Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal
3.5
Crore New Seats to be added in Higher Education by 2035 says Union Minister of
Education
New
Education Policy built on 5 pillars of Access, Equity, Quality, and
Affordability Accountability
Government
to constitute National Technology Forum and implement One Nation One Digital
Platform
“With the implementation of the newly launched National Education Policy (NEP-2020) India is on the verge of the becoming the Global Knowledge Power” said Union Minister of Education, Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank. He was speaking during the National Discussion ‘Shiksha Samwaad’ on National Education Policy-2020 jointly organized by Education Promotion Society of India (EPSI) and Joint Association of Colleges, Punjab. Renowned Educationists, Academicians, faculty and students from all over India participated during the Shiksha Samwaad which saw in-depth analysis on the topic “Vision of making India a Global Knowledge Superpower”.
Panelists who took part
during the Shiksha Samwaad included Sh. Sanjay Shamarao Dhotre, Union Minister
of State for Education, Satnam Singh Sandhu, Chancellor, Chandigarh University
and Vice-President, EPSI, Dr. G. Vishwanathan, Chancellor, VIT and President,
EPSI, Dr. H.Chaturvedi, Director BIMTECH and Alternate President, EPSI, Dr.
Parshant Bhalla, President, MREI and Treasurer, EPSI, Mr. Ashok Mittal,
Chancellor, LPU, Dr. Madhu Chitkara, Pro-Chancellor, Chitkara University, Mr.
Jagjit Singh, President JAC, Dr. Anshu Kataria, Co-Chairman JAC, Dr. Gurmeet
Dhaliwal, President PUTIA and Mr. Rashpal Singh Dhaliwal, President, CGC.
While addressing through
a virtual session, Dr. Pokhriyal said, “New Education policy aims at improving
the Gross Enrollment Rate (GER) in Higher Education and Government of India has
set a target of achieving 50% GER by 2035. To achieve this target, Government
of India has decided to add 3.5 crore new seats in Higher Education
Institutions of India by 2035”. The minister further added that, “The New
Education Policy announced by Government of India is based on 5 pillars of
Access, Equity, Quality, Affordability & Accountability is aimed for
Sustainable Development. NEP 2020 has not only been widely accepted and
acclaimed in the nation but have been appreciated by other countries as the
Government of India has already received request of the policy framework from 3
countries so that they can also draft a similar policy and implement in their
respective nations”.
“New Education Policy
offers flexibility to the students both in terms of choosing the subjects of
his/her own interest and also the flexibility to leave or continue the
education at any stage. The student would be offered to earn a certificate
after completion of one year, diploma after two years and degree after
completion of three years” said Dr. Ramesh Pokhiriyal. Union Minister further
added that, “As said by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the new education policy
lays emphasis on research being carried-out by Higher Education Institutions
and Government has decided to formulate National Research Foundation with an
initial annual budget of Rs. 20,000 crores (1% of GDP) which will help in
funding the research projects undertaken by the students and faculty”.
While giving importance
to Indian Languages in National Education Policy, Dr. Pokhriyal said, “In order
to improve the efficiency of the students, the new policy offers flexibility to
the students to choose the medium of studying in their mother tongue. On the
other hand, NEP-2020 also focuses on job oriented education and emerging areas
such as Artificial Intelligence for which the Government has planned to
introduce Vocational Education from Class 6”. Answering to the question of
regulatory bodies and autonomy, Dr. Pokhriyal said, “Higher Education
Institutions who are imparting quality education will be given greater autonomy
and all the regulatory bodies would be scrapped and National Higher Education
Regulatory Council (NHERC) would regulate higher education which would be one
umbrella government body for the institutions”.
Speaking during the
virtual session, Sanjay Shamrao Dhotre, MoS, Ministry of Education said,
“National Education Policy aims to provide world class education for the Indian
students and focuses on installing moral values as well as job oriented skills
amongst the youth. The policy also focuses on teachers training which is an
important aspect of Higher Education as well as School Education”.
Satnam Singh Sandhu, Chancellor, Chandigarh
University said, “NEP-2020 introduced by Government of India is one of the
biggest reform in the education sector world over. The new education policy has
carved a new roadmap for the development of education in India”. Jagjit Singh,
President JAC said, “The New Education Policy is taking Indian Education to
next level making it attractive for the international students who will
consider India as their preferred destination for higher education” while Ashok
Mittal, Chancellor, LPU said, “Flexibility, innovation, research, focus on
vocational education, extra- curricular and sports activities have been given
importance in the new education policy”. Dr. G. Vishwanathan, Chancellor, VIT
and President, EPSI said, “With the focus on research and innovation in the new
policy, the ambition of becoming self-reliant India can be achieved and the new
policy takes care of every aspect of promoting research in Higher Education
Institutions of India” while Dr. H.Chaturvedi, Director BIMTECH said, “New
education policy lays emphasis upon the defragmentation of education system and
offers interdisciplinary education to the student”.
