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NEP 2020 selected reactions

I’m happy that the multi-disciplinary ap- learning to shape young learners become industry-ready.
proach we have been practicing is recog- The policy addresses most of the critical issues that
nised as the right way to prepare students daunt our current education landscape and brings about
for challenges in their careers. We are also a totality in terms of the paradigm shift that we need for
pleased that continuous assessment will educated and skilled people in India — Dr. Niranjan
be the way to evaluate students, which is Hiranandani, provost, HSNC University, Mumbai.
something we believe in — Dr. Malabika Sarkar, vice
chancellor, Ashoka University, Delhi. We laud the inclusion and focus given
to early childhood care and education.
What we are most thrilled about is the universal access to ECCE plays a vital role in building a
early childhood care and education (ECCE). As part of the foundation for lifelong learning and
new structure, foundational learning (3-8 years) shines well-being of every child. Moreover,
much needed light on the importance of early education the National Mission on Foundational
between 3-6 years — A.K. Srikanth, CEO, Klay Pre- Literacy and Numeracy is the need of the
school and Daycare, Bangalore. hour. This comprehensive education policy is now aligned
to global standards — Prajodh Rajan, co-founder &
The policy has a multi-disciplinary, CEO, EuroKids International, Mumbai.
values-based approach focusing on holistic
education along with life-skills with special NEP 2020 is bold and refreshingly transformative. It
emphasis on skill development to improve is disruptive in the way it looks at education and hence
employability of students. I’m pleased that building the future generation. It signals the end of
the policy lays special emphasis on early rote and brings in assessments based on application of
childhood care and education (ECCE) and core concepts, introduces skills from class VI onwards,
development and endorses play-based, multi-faceted enabling every child to have at least one skill by the end of
curriculums. Universalisation of ECCE will lay the foun- school education — Narayanan Ramaswamy, national
dation for the development of every child — Rustom leader, education and skill development, KPMG (India).
Kerawalla, chairman, Ampersand Group, Mumbai.
We applaud the Indian government’s vision to increase
Pedagogical research has established beyond doubt that the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education
children learn best if they learn in their mother tongue from 25.7 percent currently to 50 percent by 2030. The
(or local language) in primary classes. This does not mean government acknowledges that online and distance
that children should not learn English, it only means that education will play a key role in achieving this goal by
English should not be the medium of instruction in the enhancing offerings, improving access and providing
primary years — Sridhar Rajagopalan, co-founder and increased opportunities for lifelong learning — Rajiv
chief learning officer, Educational Initiatives, Ahmed- Shah, CEO & director, NMIMS Global Access School for
abad. Continuing Education, Mumbai.

Technology will now play a much bigger What excites me most in the NEP is the
role not just in planning and administra- policy to bring trans-disciplinary and lib-
tion, but pedagogy, content, tutelage and eral arts learning into higher education,
assessment. With reduced insularity and the idea of a unified regulator for higher
greater freedom for students to select their education, aspiration to establish large
subjects of choice, the focus will return globally competitive multi-disciplinary
to holistic learning, rather than a bent universities and the possibility of foreign
towards maths and sciences. — Divya Lal, managing universities entering India. Building a National Research
director of Fliplearn Education, Delhi. Fund and a National Credit Bank are also new and path-
breaking initiatives — Atul Khosla, pro vice chancellor,
By giving students a chance to pick non-conventional Shoolini University, Himachal Pradesh.
subjects which focus on right brain development, NEP
2020 opens a wide variety of career options. With clear As part of the National Education Policy, a new law will
inspiration drawn from the western education system, be introduced to facilitate top foreign universities to set
this new policy will help students excel in subjects of their up in India. The law will provide special dispensations
choice and explore the realm of education with newer out- to foreign universities from regulatory, governance and
look — Dharini Upadhayaya, co-founder and co-CEO, content standpoints. We hope the new law will make
Furtados School of Music, Mumbai. it feasible for foreign universities to enter the Indian
market. This move will facilitate access to quality higher
I am delighted to see a diverse policy that meets future education — Rukshad Davar, Partner at Majmudar &
learning needs which will engrain practical skill-based Partners International Law, Mumbai.

54 EDUCATIONWORLD AUGUST 2020