Page 30 - EducationWorld June 2020

Cover Story

Dr. K. Kasturirangan ing students’ higher order thinking research systems in our universi-
and communication skills. Third, we ties through effective channelling
Chairman, Draft NEP 2019 must address the persistent crisis in of resources, creating appropriate
foundational literacy and numeracy, institutional mechanisms. The most
which requires concerted redirection important imperative is to establish
of resources. In addition, it’s impor- a National Research Foundation to
tant to introduce flexible curriculums create opportunities for research
and learning approaches, overhaul across all disciplines with resources
assessment systems and develop that aggregate at least 2 percent of
school complexes. GDP to start with.
What are your Top 3 proposals for raising Any other comment?
standards in higher education? We should continue to expect disrup-
First, we must provide institutions tive changes in education, whether it
with pathways to autonomy via is from crises like Covid-19, or tech-
accreditation and de-cluttering of nological disruptions like AI, among
regulatory mechanisms. Second, others. We urgently need to make
there is urgent need to introduce our education system more resilient,
multi-disciplinary holistic education and acknowledge this is a massive
at the undergraduate level, including challenge. The silver lining to the Co-
an element of research at this stage. vid-19 pandemic is that it has forced
The third important recommen- education reform to the front of our
ormer chairman of the Indian dation is to stimulate and strengthen minds. Let’s not lose this focus.
Space Research Organisation,
FDr. K. Kasturirangan is an
eminent educationist and chairman Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’
of the nine-member committee for
draft National Education Policy Union HRD minister
(2019) which was submitted to the ormer chief minister of Ut-
Union government in May last year tarakhand (2009-2011),
and is being finalised by the Union FRamesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ is
HRD ministry, New Delhi incumbent Union minister of human
What are the major challenges confront- resource development (HRD) in
ing K-12 education in the new Covid-19 the BJP-led NDA 2.0 government.
era? Typically, despite several e-mail
The biggest challenge of K-12 educa- messages and calls to his office, the
tion — the failure of many children minister failed and neglected to
to attain even basic skills such as reply to an EducationWorld ques-
foundational literacy and numeracy tionnaire. However, during the past
— will persist in the Covid-19 era and two months, the HRD ministry has
beyond. The new situation has forced issued a spate of press releases,
us to experiment with new modes circulars, notes, directives to state has taken several measures. It has
launched several online initiatives.
of pedagogy and greater reliance on education ministers, vice chancel-
technology. But, such experimenta- lors, principals and parents. Having Among them: DIKSHA (Digital In-
frastructure for Knowledge Sharing)
tion must be done with care and regard for his office as HRD minis-
seriousness. The Covid-19 crisis can ter, your editors have culled his bon a portal to help teachers and boost
e-learning; SWAYAM (Study Webs of
be converted into an opportunity mots on several issues relating to
for senior secondary and higher education from these documents. Active-Learning for Young Aspiring
Minds) to improve access, equity and
education students to engage safely Challenges confronting education. Due
with their communities in a National to the nationwide lockdown, more quality of education; E-pathshala
programme to provide access to
Service Scheme to acquire real expe- than 350 million students, 10 million
riences in society. teachers in 1,028 universities, 41,901 learning material in several lan-
guages. SWAYAM has a repository of
What are your Top 3 proposals for reviv- colleges, 10,726 stand-alone insti- 1,900 courses which are now being
ing and reforming K-12 schooling in tutes and 1.55 million schools have accessed free-of-charge by students
India? suspended regular classes. We need in over 60 countries.
First, we must elevate the teach- to trust the power of education to The SWAYAM platform will also
ing profession, because teachers motivate ourselves to continue learn- offer 82 undergraduate and 42 post-
are — and will remain — essential. ing in different ways that are beyond graduate non-engineering Moocs
Second, we must reduce the sheer the four walls of classrooms. (Massive Open Online Courses)
volume of facts and simple proce- National lockdown response. To en- listed by the University Grants
dural knowledge in our curriculums sure seamless continuation of the Commission (UGC) in the semester
and pay greater attention to develop- learning process, the HRD ministry starting July.

30 EDUCATIONWORLD JUNE 2020