New Delhi, August 7, 2024: The Ministry of Education today highlighted the significant strides made under the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 to ensure equitable and quality education for students across the country, with a particular focus on rural and underprivileged communities.
During a session in the Lok Sabha, Shri Jayant Chaudhary, the Minister of State for Education, outlined the comprehensive measures adopted to bridge the gap between various social categories in education. He emphasised that the NEP 2020 is designed to ensure that no student is left behind due to their background or geographical location.
The Ministry has aligned several of its schemes with NEP 2020, focusing on the Socio-Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGs). These include students from villages, small towns, and districts with developmental aspirations. “Our goal is to make education accessible and beneficial for every student, transcending social and geographic barriers,” stated Chaudhary.
Samagra Shiksha: A Beacon for School Education
One of the flagship initiatives, Samagra Shiksha, has been operational since the 2018-19 academic year. This Integrated Centrally Sponsored Scheme for School Education aims to provide a holistic education from preschool to class 12. It supports states and territories through grants to create conducive learning environments, free textbooks, uniforms, digital education initiatives, and much more.
The scheme also addresses the needs of children with special requirements, providing financial aid for aids, appliances, and specially designed teaching materials.
Revamping Higher Education
The Department of Higher Education is not far behind in implementing various reforms to expand quality education at the tertiary level. These reforms include the introduction of flexible curricular structures, multiple entry and exit pathways, and credit systems such as the National Credit Framework (NCrF) and Academic Bank of Credit (ABC).
Efforts are underway to enhance industry-academia collaboration and to integrate Indian knowledge systems into the curriculum. The use of technology has been a significant area of focus, improving access and administration in higher education institutions.
Also read: UGC Integrates NEP Guidelines into Postgraduate Programs
Launch of PM-USHA
In a major move, the third phase of Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (RUSA) was rebranded as Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA) in June 2023. With an outlay of Rs. 12,926.10 crore, the initiative focuses on uplifting educational standards in unserved and underserved areas through 2026.
“Under PM-USHA, priority is given to focus districts that lag in educational parameters like Gross Enrolment Ratio and Gender Parity,” Chaudhary added.
The initiatives under NEP 2020 reflect the government’s commitment to transforming India’s educational landscape, ensuring that every student can reach their full potential irrespective of their circumstances.
