SHILLONG: As the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 continues to evoke mixed responses from the masses, the educators from the North East have welcomed the Centre’s education reform during a one-day webinar.
The Centre for Development of North Eastern Region (CeDNER) on Saturday organised a one-day web discussion on NEP 2020 with special focus on school education.
During the webinar, which dwelt on the pros and cons of the NEP 2020, Prof BR Dkhar, Dean (Research) NERIE, NCERT, Prof Subhas Chandra Roy, HoD (Fabrication), Atul Kulkarni, Member BoG of IIM Shillong were the speakers.
Institute Director Prof DP Goyal and discussion moderator Prof. Sanjeeb Kakoty, Chairperson of CeDNER, had also attended the webinar.
Speaking during the programme, Kulkarni said, “Personally to me, this (NEP 2020) is probably the biggest policy reform that independent India has seen. This is probably a first in terms of an integrated, holistic and synergetic policy of its kind and is expected to touch every household in India.”
He also spoke on the process of the formulation of NEP 2020 for over a period of six years and the kind of engagement it required from all sections of the society.
“A major role of education is to transform a person who, through this transformation, may change society. The vision is to create a person who is scientific, productive, creative, and generally engaged in nature. It is no longer sufficient to create a knowledgeable person but what is now more required is a productive individual,” Roy opined.
Calling the NEP 2020 a comprehensive and holistic policy, Prof Dkhar said that the policy can prepare children to meet with the contemporary challenges and opportunities.
Commenting on digital literacy, Prof Dkhar expressed her contentment on the way it has been emphasised under NEP 2020.
She also reiterated the need to equip children with skill sets such as learning skill, life skill, and literary skill required in the present times, while also speaking on universalisation of early childhood care and education which, she felt, is a very good initiative.
