Work Begins on Regulatory Framework for Higher Education Under NEP

New Education Policy: The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 seeks to improve higher education in India by prioritizing the student and encouraging holistic development. Building on prior education policies and commissions, the NEP 2020 aims to ensure access, relevance, equity, quality, and solid foundational learning.

India has a rich Holistic and Multidisciplinary Education learning, seen in ancient universities like Takshashila and Nalanda. Old Indian texts, such as Banabhatta's Kadambari, defined a good education as knowing the 64 Kalaas (arts). These "arts" included not just subjects like singing and painting, but also science (chemistry, math), vocational skills (carpentry, clothes-making), professions (medicine, engineering), and soft skills (communication, debate).

The idea that all creative human efforts like including science, vocational skills, and soft skills, are considered "arts" is uniquely Indian. Bringing back this concept of "knowledge of many arts," now called "liberal arts," is crucial for Indian education as it's the kind of learning needed for the 21st century.

The new National Education Policy (NEP)'s recommendation to bring higher education, which is currently fragmented among over a dozen regulators, under a single regulatory body, hasn't come into existence yet. However, work within higher education has certainly begun following this pattern. The University Grants Commission (UGC) has started directing all regulators, particularly on issues of fees, ragging, academic sessions, and NEP implementation, where it appears to be moving forward collaboratively with everyone.

Ultimately, NEP 2020 presents both challenges and opportunities for Indian higher education, aiming to create a more dynamic, inclusive, and globally competitive system.

Why New Education Policy?

The New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 intends to make education more accessible, fair, and culturally relevant to India, while also providing students with 21st-century skills. It provides a road plan for universal basic literacy and numeracy, comprehensive curriculum development, multilingual learning, and the seamless integration of vocational and academic courses.   

The policy's cornerstone is the implementation of the 5+3+3+4 education framework, which replaces the previous 10+2 system and aligns educational stages with the developmental requirements of children aged 3 to 18.

Guidelines given to Vice Chancellors and Principals

The UGC has recently issued important instructions to all university Vice-Chancellors, college Principals, and other higher education regulators. These directives aim to bring about significant changes in the higher education system.

• Implement existing anti-ragging guidelines strictly.
• Review how well these instructions are being followed.
• Report on the actions they've taken to stop ragging.
• Establish strict monitoring systems to ensure compliance.
• Collaborate closely on this issue to make their efforts more effective.

Currently, about 14 regulators oversee higher education.

Currently, around 14 different regulators are overseeing higher education in India, such as the University Grants Commission (UGC), All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), National Council for Teacher Education (NCTE), National Council for Vocational Education and Training (NCVET), and the Council of Architecture. Many believe that having a single regulator for higher education would simplify decision-making and help maintain consistent quality standards in one place. This change would also allow institutions to operate more independently and efficiently.