Education policy refers to a comprehensive framework that guides the development of education in the country. It is the third time that independent India is witnessing the New Education Policy. On 29^th July, 2020 at 4 pm the government announced the New Education Policy of the 21^st century. This policy promises a myriad of changes that will be crucial for the betterment of not only the people but also the country in turn. The following blog helps you get an overview of the features of the New Education Policy or NEP 2020. The government aims at implementing this policy to grass root levels by 2040. This might look like a loooong time period but it is worth the wait. To know how, read the full blog.

As Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted and I quote, “The policy is based on the pillars of ‘Access’, ‘Equity’, ‘Quality’, ‘Affordability’ and ‘Accountability’ and will transform India into a ‘Vibrant Knowledge Hub’”. This policy starts with the renaming of the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) as the Ministry of Education. This renaming is a subtle hint to the forthcoming changes this policy is bringing with it. Let us begin with, when will this policy be introduced? Keeping the current pandemic in mind, the government has decided to begin the new session from September-October and hence will try to implant the bare minimum of this policy before the session commences. The government aims at implementing it by 2040. Is it possible? How will it be done? These are all future questions. What lies in front of us is to understand the key features of NEP.

The NEP has the following “key features” or “crucial reforms”:

• The policy will provide with a basic 5+3+3+4 structure instead of the 10+2 structure.
• This structure includes the Aanganwadi or preschool for children between 3-8 years and the ‘preparatory stage’ for age group 8-11, which will help them get acquainted to the school system.
• Regional language will be taught to students till grade 5. Foreign languages will be introduced at the secondary stage.
• NEP will encourage vocational courses and coding from class 6 (middle stage) onwards.
• It will also promote 10 bag-less days of informal internship.
• Subject wise committees will be set-up at the central and state level who will come together to decide the distinct and diverse course.
• Students will be free to choose subjects of their choice from grade 8 to 11. This will help them explore their horizons and decide for themselves the field they would want to walk in.
• Students will have the flexibility to choose majors and minors of their interest. This is one of the best reforms. A civil engineer can have geography as the minor subject. This will help the student have a better understanding about the weather conditions, landscape etc that will affect their creation in positive or negative ways and hence letting them form a better, stronger and durable things.
• Exams will now be based on aptitude, practical knowledge and understandings rather than rote learning.

• National Testing Agency will be set up for a common aptitude based university entrance exam.
•  Tech and e-learning will be encouraged. This is introduced so as to have a smooth and efficient working in future during unprecedented times.
•  Best universities from across the globe will open up their campuses here in India.

These were the basic New Education Policy features that you can read in detail at any page.

Now, I will tell you 6 such features that are less talked about.

1. UGC and AICTE will be merged into HECI (Higher Education Commission of India). The HECI will have 4 verticals – Regulatory Council, National Accreditation Council, Education Grants Council and General Education Council.
2. The NEP proposes the set up of an Indian Institute of Translation and Interpretation (IITI). These will emphasis on Indian languages and Sanskrit. Translators and Interpreters will be the need of the future.
3. Education sector will see a hike in its GDP from 1.7% to 6%. This is a massive move as this will promote funding which will led to effective functioning and good infrastructures.
4. Teacher Training will be formulated. Before implementing the New Education Policy, it is necessary for the path guiders to be well equipped and aware about things. Hence the teacher training module has been implemented which will include 4 years of B.Ed (2 years if you have a bachelor’s degree in a different course), 50 hours of Continuous Professional Development (CPD) and a number of interviews and tests before you officially become a teacher.
5. National Scholarship Portal for SC, ST, OBC and SEDG students. This portal will support, track and foster the students receiving the scholarships.
6. Unit for Digital and Online Learning to ensure smooth functioning in unprecedented times.

The New Education Policy 2020 seems promising. It feels as if the future will not only be smart and intelligent, but also independent. They will not have to compromise their curricular interests for academics. Though this policy might face some backlash, but once implemented our students will be no less than anyone. They will be skilled in all the fields of their choices and interest. As laymen, we must support and help the government improvise on this policy. Also, we must read from various sources both pros and cons to get a better perspective.

#neweducationpolicy #nep #mhrd #vocationalcourses #foreignuniversities

Sources

https://www.hindustantimes.com/education/new-education-policy-2020-live-updates-important-takeaways/story-yYm1QaeNyFW4uTTU3g9bJO.html

https://www.thequint.com/explainers/explained-the-national-education-policy-2020-and-reforms-it-brings

https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/reading-new-education-policy-india-schools-colleges-6531603/#:~:text=In%20a%20significant%20shift%20from,14%2D18%20(secondary).

If you enjoyed reading the blog, do tell me. Also, you are open to share your views on the New Education Policies in the comment section below.
Thank you! 🙂

“The highest education is that which does not merely give us information but makes our life in harmony with all existence.”

Rabindranath Tagore

            

Being a student of Journalism and Communication I understand the importance of education in one’s life. This field allows me to explore through the various boundaries of life.

On the 3^rd of February, 2020; we were taken to a field trip to Muni Seva Ashram. Located in Goraj amidst the nature, this Ashram is covered with the green. A field trip to an Ashram might make you curious, but let me tell you that this is not your regular ashram. Ashram is a place where one goes to connect them to the universal power and become selfless and this ashram indeed helps you become selfless but differently. The Muni Seva Ashram has been working diligently in the fields of Education and Healthcare for people and children in need.

              

Founded in 1978 by Annuben Thakkar in a hut with the blessings from the divine powers, this Ashram today has a strong infrastructure and a lot of helping hands ready to make it better every day. We were taken around the campus and the first stop was at the Vanprastha Mandir- the old age home. The campus has 4 old age homes- Gokul, Mathura, Vrindavan and Govardhan where they are provided with food and tea which comes from their farms and cowsheds. Senior citizens above 65 who are healthy are taken in.

Talking about the schools, this Ashram has a Sharda Mandir- Primary School, Vivekanad- Secondary and Higher Secondary School and Eklavya English School. They also have Parivar Mandir where abandoned children are not only given shelter but provided with opportunities. We were taken to the Parivar Mandir where tiny tots welcomed us with full enthusiasm and optimism. We witnessed an impromptu dance performance from a group of teenage girls who were excited to show us their choreography.

Next we moved on to The Kailash Cancer Hospital, where treatment is provided at a rate 40% less than the actual rate. It was founded in 2001. This hospital has the latest machinery required for the treatment and maintains a hygienic ambiance. This hospital provides treatment to the tribals and the people from the lower economic strata of the society. Muni Seva Ashram also has a nursing home where women are educated and taught about medicines and then they work in the very same hospital, thereby giving back from where they’ve taken. They have provisions for the stay of their doctors too. Not only that to make it easier for the people, this hospital has a board on its entrance that tells about the doctors and their visiting time.

Moving on to our last stop, we were taken to the Bhagini Mandir- place for the mentally challenged. This part is for the mentally challenged females who are either excluded from the societies or are left by the families. These are taken care of and are treated and most of them are cured and are sent back to their families and start a new life. Though their quarters are situated on the opposite side of the road, yet they are the very part of the campus. The women living there perform their own tasks under supervision, gather to sing bhajans and become a family.

This ashram despite running all these centers and a hospital cares about the environment too. They have solar panels installed, treated sewage water is used for agriculture, they have their own cowshed and promote organic farming. It is rare to see such huge ashrams care not only about the people but also the environment and yet stay so humble and grounded. As I said before, this ashram is a world within itself, they also have general stores and ATMs within the campus.

As the saying goes “Just being surrounded by bountiful nature, rejuvenates and inspires us.”, this ashram not only molds the future but also protects and preserves it in literal senses. Field trips are educational trips, but this visit made me realize that one can balance both nature and development with sincere passion, dedication and selflessness.

If after reading my blog, you want to visit this ashram and see yourself then click on the link below for it is the ashram’s official website.
http://greenashram.org/

Chin up princess the crown might fall,
For you’ve won wars that took place in a manned hall,
And your battles have just begun now.

Your Crown is a precious piece of solidarity,
For those who think it is a luxury,
A piece of art with mystery,
For those who’ve crafted and embedded stones in it,
But Oh Darling, this crown,
This crown is no less than a battlefield…
A place conqured by ones who’ve learnt the art of balance.

From the king who has seen bloodshed,
To the princess who is entering the battlefield,
Remember dear,
For there will be times when you’ll feel hellbound,
For there will be times when you’ll want to fling this masterpiece,
But there will be times when you’ll understand the beauty of this Crown and embrace it,
Embrace it just the way a sunflower relishes sun,
Just the way I cherished you.

As my time nears,
And your turn gears up,
Just make sure that you always have your chin up and back straight for enemies are watching you and so are your people…
For the Crown must sing your glory amidst the steep turns awaiting for you…
So Chin up princess the crown must never fall…

India is a house to huge diversity and has always welcomes new cultures with open arms. In the recent past a new wave from east has hit India, the new K-Wave.

What is this K-Wave? Well, K-Wave originated from the sea of South Korea and after hitting the other Asian countries, it has now hit India. K-wave includes dramas and songs from Korea. The famous song “Oppa Gangnam Style” was a great hit all around the globe (I guess that was the first ever Korean song to be a massive hit). The famous K-Pop group BTS has gained recognition all around through its famous songs like DNA, Euphoria, blood-sweat-tears and many more and has paved way for other bands like EXO, Black-Pink to come to light. Also, because of these bands South Korea has suddenly come into people’s eyes. Vh1 channel has started a special K-Pop’d show which airs on Saturdays at 8:00 p.m which shows Korean songs sung by different artist. 

Korean dramas come up with different concepts. Their dramas depict Korean way of living, food,culture and definitely the beautiful streets of Seoul. On carefully examining the language, you will find that the words change while addressing someone older or younger to you accordingly. For example when you say ‘Hello’ to your friend or someone younger to you, you will say ‘Annyeong’ on the other hand when you address someone older to you or a mass you say ‘Annyeong-hasseyo’.The word HELLO in Hangul (Korean language) changes depending on the person you address.

 During the spring of 2017, a Korean drama- Descendants of the Sun (DOTS) was aired on Zindagi channel dubbed in Hindi. Zindagi channel was started to share dramas from the Middle East with the Indian masses and slowly it aired a Korean drama. This was the part of broader global phenomenon called Hallyu or Korean wave. The Korean wave was accepted by Indian masses with all the love. The content of these dramas was celebrated and loved throughout. DOTS showed a unique love story shared by a doctor and a special force officer and the challenges they face in their respective field. Other series like the Legend of the Blue Sea celebrates the love story between a mermaid and a human, Moonlover: Scarlet heart ryeo shows a time travel by a girl into the Goreyo period. These unique ideas when meet great execution, they easily catch the attention. These dramas are loved by the masses. Also, the fact that Koreans have cute looks, at times it is the protagonists that grab the attention and make the series a hit.

Though these dramas are not aired in India, they are available online on sites like VIKI, VIU- Asian and recently Netflix has added a few K-dramas in its list. Also a lot of fan pages on social networking sites like Instagram and Facebook update you about either the ongoing dramas, latest songs or the lives of these celebrities. In the Eastern parts of India like Mizoram and Manipur, Korean dramas, cookery shows, and songs are all aired dubbed in their respective languages.

The new K-wave has definitely given us the insights of the eastern culture and it is great to know that quite a few things match with Indian culture, like they have a word “achcha” in their language which has the same meaning.Their food seems savory when you watch them eat. It has happened a lot of time with me; Ram-yen is like a Maggi for the Koreans and is made in the same way. Whenever they eat a packet of Ram-yen I feel a strong desire to eat that too and immediately I rush to the kitchen make a packet of Maggi for myself and have it as if I am having Ram-yen. The way they eat sea food which is their staple food, you feel like having it (if you are a non-vegetarian ;)). Also, the way they plate or eat in bowls makes you feel hungry and ignites the craving within you to have food.        

This K-wave has been successful in influencing people’s mind(not only to commence the hunger).Korean guys are usually portrayed as candy or flower boys, highly rich and girls are shown bit dumb with flawless skin and usually belong from low economic background (not all but most series have this synopsis). These facts often make people insecure about their relationships and raise the expectations from the other sex. For instance a girl might want his boyfriend to be rich and behave like the perfect guy while they behave like a dumb person, irrespective he loves her. For example Boys over flowers, The Heirs, Why Secretary Kim? etc. Koreans themselves have stated that these dramas are making a bad influence on their girlfriends.

It is okay to watch something new, but watch it till the limit where it does not influence your mind. Escape from reality is fine but don’t let your fictional world become your real world.

For further readings on K-wave hitting Indian Shores: 

https://www.hindustantimes.com/entertainment/k-drama-to-k-pop-is-india-finally-warming-up-to-the-korean-wave/story-OEiSTa5A6DZLgXL4aKG4JM.html

To watch K-drama online with Subtitles:

https://www.viki.com

https://www.viu.com