New Education Policy 2020 – Approaches, Opportunities & Challenges

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September 9, 2020

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 while providing a short & crisp framework document greatly simplifying the regulatory structure for the sector has incorporated many features addressing some of the problems of the second and third world highlighted above says Prof (Dr.) Sanjay Gupta, VC, World University of Design, Haryana in a conversation with Elets News Network (ENN).

A little over two decades back, two leading industrialists of India – Mukesh Ambani and Kumarmangalam Birla, in a report made some perceptive observations about the state of affairs in the education sector of India. In their exact words “While the larger world embraces the information age, the world of education in India encompasses different ‘worlds’ that live side by side. One world includes only a fortunate few with access to modern institutions, computers, Internet access and expensive overseas education. A second world wants to maintain status quo – teachers, administrators, textbook publishers, students – all have reasons to prefer things to remain as they are or change only gradually. The third world struggles with fundamental issues such as no books, wrong books, teachers desperately in need of training, teachers with poor commitment, rote learning of irrelevant material, classrooms with hundred students, dirty floors and no toilets. India cannot hope to succeed in the information age on the back of such three disparate worlds.”

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 while providing a short & crisp framework document greatly simplifying the regulatory structure for the sector has incorporated many features addressing some of the problems of the second and third world highlighted above.

Also read: PM Modi to deliver speech on New Education Policy

While implementation of the policy is envisaged over the next 15 years, for the higher education sectors there are some low hanging fruits that can be harvested in five or fewer years. These include freeing up undergraduate students to take courses across all disciplines; launch of a four-year bachelor’s degree; opening India to foreign universities, and creation of a National Research Foundation.

Changes such as permitting undergraduate students to take courses across all disciplines, launch of a four-year undergraduate degree, and autonomy to leading colleges can be implemented even within the current legal structure in higher education. The simple addition of a year after 12+3 will help students become eligible for many top-ranked global programmes and remove unique barriers that Indian students have faced in the past. The biggest differentiator in Indian vs. International education has been the academic flexibility that one experienced abroad. The NEP 2020 with flexibility and multiple exit options, including a one-year master’s programme and focus on digital education, will surely impact future students.

Another good suggestion is that of scrapping the MPhil degree. It was meant to hide a lot of disguised unemployed, by spending two more years in the university, given the fact that the Indian economy is unable to absorb these students in proper jobs, not to mention the unemployable nature of the MPhil when the highest academic degree gets precedence over a masters research degree.

In the last two decades Chinese universities have shown that a focused approach can lead to fantastic outcomes. NEP 2020 should lead us there.

Health Ministry issues SOPs for reopening of schools

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September 9, 2020

In the wake of Coronavirus pandemic, the schools are closed from mid-March. In line with the Unlock 4.0 Guidelines, the government has allowed partial reopening of schools for students in their higher classes.

For the opening, Union Health Ministry has now issued SOPs or Guidelines that needs to be followed for the same. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare issued the guidelines, which provided the necessary SOPs and norms that are to be followed for the partial reopening of schools from 21st Sept 2020.

The reopening of schools would be applicable to only those students who are Class 9 and above. Even such students would be allowed to visit schools for doubt solving sessions on voluntary basis. Students will need to submit a declaration signed by their parents in order to visit schools during this period.

Also read: Health Ministry issues SOPs for students from containment zones

Detailed guidelines issued by the Health Ministry:

-Physical Distancing of 6 Ft to be followed by teachers and students

-Face masks and face covers are mandatory while on school premises

-Hand Hygiene to be ensured through frequent hand washing

-Respiratory etiquettes like covering one’s mouth and nose while coughing/sneezing to be followed strictly

-Self-Monitoring of health and reporting of illness at the earliest

-Installation and Use of Aarogya Setu App advised

-Only Schools outside containment zones allowed to reopen

-Students, teachers residing in containment zones not allowed to visit schools

-Complete school campus, including all work areas laboratories, other common utility areas shall be sanitized with 1% sodium hypochlorite solution

-Schools used as quarantine centres to undergo deep sanitization and cleaning process

-50% of teaching and non-teaching staff allowed to visit schools

-Class 9 to 12 students allowed to visit schools on voluntary basis

-Contactless attendance system to be developed and followed for teachers and students

-Assemblies, sports and events that can lead to overcrowding are strictly prohibited

Ed-Tech firm Byju’s raises fresh funding from Silver Lake

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September 8, 2020

In another huge investment, Ed-tech major Byju’s has raised fresh funding from Silver Lake and existing investors, Tiger Global, General Atlantic and Owl Ventures. According to reports, the Ed-tech firm raised $500 M from the investments.

With the new investments, the firm in the new round that valued it at $10.8B.

Byju’s founder and CEO Raveendran said, “We are fortunate to be in a sector of positive relevance during this crisis. This has brought online learning to the forefront and is helping parents, teachers and students experience and understand its value”.

Also read: Ed-tech firm WhiteHat Jr to hire 20,000 teachers

“We are delighted to lead this investment and partner with Byju and his impressive team of education technology pioneers in their mission to help children in India and around the world achieve their true potential,” Greg Mondre, Co-CEO of Silver Lake, said.

Over the last few months, BYJU’S has entered the after-school learning space with the launch of BYJU’S Classes, a comprehensive online tutoring program.

Last month, Byju’s acquired WhiteHat Jr, a Mumbai-based coding platform. With coding fast emerging as a key skill for the future, the company expects the integration will accelerate its international expansion plans.

Currently, the app has over 64 million registered students and 4.2 million annual paid subscriptions. The company has doubled its revenue to Rs 2,800 crore in FY19-20 from Rs 1,430 crore in the previous fiscal.

A brief reflection on the new national education policy

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September 8, 2020

The policy promises to transform the very idea of education and learning into a process of self discovery, independent and critical thinking, creativity and the expansion of both the intellect and vocational, hand-on skills says Professor Dr. Aditya Malik, VC, KR Mangalam University, Gurugram in a conversation with Elets News Network (ENN).

The New Education Policy is a remarkably forward and progressive charter that lays out the future of education in India in an inspiring and far-reaching direction. Although a number of key features of the policy have been discussed – an indeed practised – by some educationists and educational institutions for several years, even perhaps for decades these have not been enshrined in an explicit manner in a national policy document until now. Some of these key features include the emphasis on trans-disciplinarily, experiential learning, teaching in regional languages, project-based learning, designing one’s degree from across different disciplines, an innovative ‘exit and entry’ system and so on. The policy promises to transform the very idea of education and learning into a process of self-discovery, independent and critical thinking, creativity and the expansion of both the intellect and vocational, hand-on skills.

Also read: Industry experts laud National Education Policy 2020

The NEP thus lays down the parameters for both the content as well as the method of providing education and learning. While historically speaking there have been varied systems of imparting education, the root impulse of an educational system – no matter what the origin of the system may be – must be the spirit and practice of rigorous enquiry into the inherited assumptions concerning a particular question, subject or field of research. A philosophical enquiry into what it means to be human and the relationship that human beings have to other human beings and their social and physical environment is the beginning of all other fields of enquiry and diverse academic disciplines. This was certainly the case in two of the most significant educational systems that arose in the world – in Greece with thinkers such as Pythagoras, Socrates, Plato and Aristotle; and in India, particularly at Nalanda, with thinkers such as Nagarjuna, Dignaga, Dharmakirti and Shantideva. It is such an enquiry that led to a sustained and deep interest into both material and nonmaterial features of the world. Other disciplines such as physics, astronomy, mathematics, law, history and so on, therefore, arose initially out of a rigorous philosophical enquiry. In a sense, one could state that the disciplines we are familiar with today were part of an integral system of knowing, understanding and acting in the world that arose out of an enquiry into the nature and substance of what it means to be human both in the social as well as in the material world.

The NEP in its quest for a holistic, fluid and ‘real-world’ connection promises to take us back to the original substance of learning and education that anchors a student in a deep understanding of the nature of ‘self’ and its relationship to ‘world’. In essence, then the NEP has set itself the significant task of not only re-imagining education but also – once implemented – the reimagining of what it means to be a human being-in-the-world.

Gokaraju Rangaraju Institute of Engineering and Technology

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September 8, 2020

Gokaraju Rangaraju Institute of Engineering and Technology (GRIET), was established in 1997 with a mission “impart quality education with an emphasis on practical skills and social relevance”. GRIET is approved by AICTE and is permanently affiliated to Jawaharlal Nehru Technological University, Hyderabad. The institute offers NINEB.Tech and SIX M.Tech Programmes.

Distinctions: The College is accredited by NAAC with “A” grade and has NBA accreditation for 06 UG and 04 PG programmes. The College was accorded Autonomous status by UGC and JNTUH Hyderabad. The college is one among 25 private institutes to have been awarded TEQIP-II grant supported by World Bank.

Awards of Excellence: The College was ranked at 172nd Place in 2020, 179th place in 2019 and ranked amongst 151-200 rank band in 2018& 2017 in Engineering and also in Overall categories released by MHRD, under NIRF. GRIET is recognized as a Top Private Engineering Institution in India by prominent ranking agencies like Times of India, India Today, The Week, Competition Success Review, The Knowledge Review Magazine, Higher Education Review, Careers 360, Career Connect, Education World and Sarvagyan. The honours include Best Student Project (2017), Best Engineering College (2009), Best Engineering Principal (2009,2014), Best Teacher (2014), Best student (2007, 2008, 2014) by ISTE – AP Section.

Also read: Malla Reddy Engineering College for Women one of the best in industry

Research & Development: Department of Mechanical Engineering has been recognized as potential research centers by the university. The Institute is carrying out a good number of minor and major research projects funded by AICTE / UGC / DST / DRDO / BRNS / AR & DB / MSME. The Institute supports faculty and students to conduct research projects at various Levels promoting academic and professional development. DSIR has conferred SIRO recognition to Gokaraju Rangaraju Educational Society.

Training & Placements: Our students have been placed in some of the top companies in the IT and core industries. Corporates like TCS, CapGemini, Infotech, IBM, Intergraph Consulting, Tech Mahindra, Deloittee, CGK Technologies, Amazon, FMC Technologies regularly recruit our students.

Alumni Association: GRIET is proud of its Alumni network spread across the globe. The network is ripening yielding fruitful results to the growing student body of the institute. Some Rankings and Recognitions:

1. India Rankings 2020 by NIRF of MHRD: 172ndRank in Engineering Category by National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) 2020 by MHRD, Government of India.

2. Times of India:

3rd Rank in Top 25 Private Engineering Institutes in Telangana 2019
All India 44th Rank in Top 140 Engineering Institute Rankings 2019
All India 33rdRank in Top 100 Private Engineering Institute Rankings 2019
All India 42ndRank in in Top 50 Private Institutes in India for Best Placements Rankings

3. Education World:

ELETS Digital Learning Magazine: Ranked AAAA+ in “Top Engineering Colleges 2019” by ELETS Digital Learning Magazine.

The Knowledge Review Magazine: Received 3rd Rank in “The Top 20 Best Institute of the Year 2019”.

Ramesh Pokhriyal extends greetings on International Literacy Day

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September 8, 2020

Countries across the world celebrate International Literacy Day today. International Literacy Day-2020 will focus on Literacy teaching and learning in the COVID-19 crisis and beyond with a focus on the role of educators and changing pedagogies. The theme will highlight literacy learning in a life-long learning perspective and mainly focus on youth and adults.

On the event of International Literacy Day 2020, Union Education Minister Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank tweeted “There can be no joy greater than reading and no friend greater than knowledge” Hon’ble PM Shri @narendramodi On this #InternationalLiteracyDay, we promise to work in direction of attaining 100% literacy by complying with the reforms throughout the National Education Policy 2020.”

This day was declared International Literacy Day by UNESCO on 26th October 1966 at the 14th Session of UNESCO’s General Conference. It was celebrated for the first time in 1967 and its main aim is to highlight the importance of literacy to individuals, communities and societies.

Also read: Ramesh Pokhriyal extends greeting on Teachers’ Day

Every year UNESCO also picks up five countries which have made best efforts to promote literacy and this year Ghana, Mexico, Nepal, United Kingdom and Yemen received the award.

“There can be no joy greater than reading and no friend greater than knowledge” Hon’ble PM Shri @narendramodi
On this #InternationalLiteracyDay, we promise to work towards achieving 100% literacy by complying with the reforms within the National Education Policy 2020. pic.twitter.com/HnG0e8WGra

— Dr. Ramesh Pokhriyal Nishank (@DrRPNishank) September 8, 2020

Haryana to conduct trial classes in two schools

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September 8, 2020

To bring back students to school, the Haryana government has decided to start classes for students of Classes 10 to 12 in two state-run schools in Karnal and Sonipat districts on a trial basis. These two schools are – Government High School in Sonipat’s Bazidpur Saboli village and Government Senior Secondary School in Nigdhu village in Karnal, the education department officials said.

A vast majority of the parents gave their written consent to the decision and it has been sent to the education department, they said. Some parents said as their children have to appear in board examinations and despite best efforts of the teachers during online classes students are still left with doubts which can be cleared in face-to-face interaction.

Also read: Admission process for UG courses begins in Haryana

Haryana Education Minister Kanwar Pal told that the state government was ready to open schools across the state once the Centre gives its nod. He said the state authorities will need a few days to work out the modalities in view of the ongoing Covid pandemic once the nod comes.

In a letter to District Education Officers (DEOs), the Directorate of School Education had mentioned about Central government’s guidelines under “Unlock-4”, which permit students of Classes 9 to 12 to visit their schools outside the containment zones on a voluntary basis, to consult their teachers and take their guidance.

CM Rupani: Gujarat will be first to implement NEP 2020

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September 8, 2020

In a major development, Gujarat Chief Minister Vijay Rupani said his government aims to become the first to implement the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020. The state will soon form a task force to create a road map for the same.

“The new NEP has been translated into Gujarati, and a task force is being formed to make a road map for Gujarat soon,” the chief minister said.

The CM said On the basis of this road map, the state will make drastic changes in education, right from primary to secondary and higher education, from KG to PG.

“Gujarat should become the first state to implement the education policy. We should move ahead fast to become a role model for the creation of India of the future,” Rupani said.

Also read: HSNC University lauds the National Education Policy 2020

“In the age of industrialisation when people care only about themselves and their careers, it is teachers who, despite being paid low salaries, create a new generation and prepare people to take care of India of the future,” he said.

It is because of the strength of teachers and schools in the state that his government has “reversed the trend” whereby parents are shifting their children from private to government schools, the chief minister said.

Malla Reddy Engineering College for Women one of the best in industry

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September 8, 2020

Malla Reddy Engineering College for Women (Autonomous) is a constituent College of Malla Reddy Group of Institutions (MRGI) founded by Sri. Ch. Malla Reddy, an eminent educationist and Hon’ble Minister of Govt. of Telangana State. The Group has 2 Medical Colleges, 2 Dental Colleges, 3 Pharmacy Colleges, 8 Engineering Colleges, 10 MBA & PG Colleges and several schools with more than 50,000 students, making MRGI the largest cluster of Institutions in Telangana, India. The MRGI is conveniently situated 30 km from the International Airport, Hyderabad.

Malla Reddy Engineering College for Women is established in 2008 and has a strong vision of offering world class training to the promising engineers. The college has achieved UGC Autonomous Status, Accredited by NBA, Accredited by NAAC with ‘A’ grade, Ranked by NIRF Indian Ranking-2020 & NIRF Indian Ranking-2018, accepted by MHRD, Govt. of India, Permanently Affiliated to JNTUH, Approved by AICTE, New Delhi, ISO 9001:2015 certified, 2(f) & 12(B) Recognised by UGC Act of 1956, AAA+ Rated by Careers 360 Magazine, AAAA+ Rated in “Top Engineering Colleges Survey-2019” by Digital Learning Magazine , Top 100 Institutions of India Ranking by ARIIA, MHRD, Govt. of India, National Ranking-Top 100 Rankband by Outlook News Magazine, National Ranking-Top 100 Rankband by TIMES News Magazine, National Ranking in Top 150 by India Today, 6th Rank in Oustanding Engineering Colleges Category by CSR, Platinum Rated by AICTE-CII Survey, Received “Best College of the Year2019 Award” by Education Matters, “College of the Year-2017 Award” from Silicon India Education, “ Best Engineering College in Telangana & A.P. Award” from International Education Awards, Time Cyber Media Pvt. Ltd., “Education Leadership Award” from Dewang Mehta National Education Awards & “Engineering Educators Award” from University of Bradford, U.K.

Also read: No charges for applying to colleges in West Bengal

The College offers B.Tech Programmes in ECE, CSE, CSEAI&ML, CSE-Data Science, CSE-Cyber Security, CSE-IOT, IT & EEE, M.Tech Programmes in Embedded Systems & Computer Science Engineering and MBA. MRECW emphasizes on Application Oriented Teaching & Problem Based Solving. Since the establishment of the College, it is known for academic excellence.

DU releases guidelines for open book examinations

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September 8, 2020

In a major move, Delhi University (DU) has released examination guidelines to ensure social distancing during the second phase of open book examinations. The exams are scheduled to begin from September 14.

In the guidelines, the university said that queue managers or ropes will be arranged to ensure minimum distancing between the candidates. A temperature check of all students and staff will also be conducted. Students will also have to sign an undertaking stating that they have no symptoms of COVID-19.

DU said that the sitting areas will be thoroughly sanitized before each shift of the exams and attendance will be taken manually using signature and unique paper code. Candidates will also be provided “a tray or a drop box” to keep their exam sheets after completion.

Also read: Delhi University launches integrated e-learning platform

To ensure social distancing, the university has said that the seating plans will be communicated through mail to avoid enquiry at the time of entry. Students will only be allowed to move out one by one after the exam is completed, the university said. In the DU guidelines, the university has asked candidates to “bring their own papers for writing their answers”. Students have been asked to carry hand sanitizers, gloves and face masks. The Delhi High Court, while hearing the writ petition against the open book examinations on August 17, directed DU to start conducting the second phase of the open book examinations in physical mode.

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