Assam joins list of states launching National Education Policy 2020 to focus on empowering education

Assam on Saturday joined the list of states which have launched the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 that “focuses” on the education and skills needed for the “empowerment” of a 21st century youth.

Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, launching the NEP 2020 in higher education institutions at an event held at Gauhati University here, said since the NEP envisages a four-year degree programme all colleges and universities institutions should adopt it at the earliest.

Currently, the state colleges offer three-year degree courses.

Describing the NEP 2020 as the “biggest education reform in 30 years”, Sarma said the policy will allow students to get a common foundational training, multiple entry and exit points along the duration of the degree and a choice-based credit system to instil innovation and flexibility.

“The policy provides a set of guiding principles for a paradigm shift across the education sector in India from school to doctoral level. For the first time liberal education has been proposed where the rigid distinction across streams like science, arts and commerce has been removed,” the chief minister said.

Moreover, the policy is “aligned to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” and aims to transform India into a vibrant knowledge society.

“The policy envisions transforming India into a global knowledge superpower by making both school and higher education more holistic, flexible, multidisciplinary, and suited to 21st century needs. It is aimed at bringing out the unique capabilities of each student. That is why NEP 2020 is not just the New Education Policy, it is the New Empowerment Policy, which is an offshoot of the aims and aspirations of our youths and will facilitate qualitative, moral and ethical development of our students,” Sarma said.

Asserting the policy will have a positive impact on the gross enrolment ratio in higher education, Sarma said: “Prior to NEP 2020, three National Education Policies were introduced in India. The NEP 2020 has been brought in keeping in mind the shortcomings of the previous education policies and the current and future need...”