Reforming or Imposing? NEP 2020 and Stalin’s Stand Against It

Introduction

The Union Cabinet has approved the National Education Policy (NEP) on 29th of July, 2020, but it still lacks nationwide implementation. NEP 2020 was introduced by the Government of India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. It aims to replace the NEP of 1986, marking a major step to transform the educational system, which has remained unchanged for 34 years. A committee was constituted by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (now Ministry of Education), headed by Dr. K. Kasturirangan (former chairman of ISRO), in June 2017, to recommend changes in the educational structure of the country. This committee submitted its report on May 31, 2019, to the Union Minister of HRD.

Key Highlights of NEP

• Its purpose is to make an inclusive educational system by establishing a strong foundation. It aims to achieve a 100% Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in school education and 50% in higher education by 2035, ensuring the right to education, as mentioned under Articles 21 and 39(1)(g) of the Indian Constitution.

• It aims to provide a multidisciplinary and holistic approach to guide children in the direction of personal and national development. Students can choose subjects from different fields according to their interests.

• The schooling system has been divided into four stages, known as the 5+3+3+4 system of education, based on children's needs, replacing the outdated 10+2 structure.

• It favors experimental learning, which will help in both the physical and psychological development of students, enhancing their cognitive abilities.

• It promotes multilingualism in schools by introducing the three-language policy to improve students' linguistic skills.

• It includes vocational training from class 6 onward to help in skill development and emphasizes coding, artificial intelligence, and emerging technologies.

• By effectively using advanced technologies, it introduced various e-learning platforms like DIKSHA, SWAYAM, and e-Pathshala. These digital programs are not only for students but also for training educators.

• This policy recognizes the significance of research in developing students' critical thinking and analytical abilities. It launched the National Research Fund to encourage universities to collaborate with global institutions for research advancements.

• It mandates instruction in regional languages up to Grade 8 to enhance conceptual clarity and cultural inclusivity.

Concerns of Southern States

Several non-Hindi-speaking states have expressed concerns over Hindi’s growing dominance in education, including northeastern states like Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Manipur, as well as southern states like Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, M.K. Stalin, has consistently opposed NEP 2020 and accused the Indian government of withholding educational funds, such as the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA) funds, to pressure Tamil Nadu into adopting NEP 2020.

Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Minister of Education, has stated, “The National Education Policy of 2020 is based on one of the most extensive democratic consultations in India’s policy history and will enable an educational resistance.”

With the Centre pushing for nationwide implementation of NEP 2020 and Tamil Nadu standing its ground, the question remains: Can a one-size-fits-all education policy truly cater to the diverse linguistic and cultural landscape of India? Only time will tell how this educational reform unfolds across the country.

SARA TYAGI (3rd year- BA LLB Hons)

BHAGAT PHOOL SINGH MAHILA VISHWAVIDYALAYA