‘National Education Policy promotes critical thinking, scientific temper, and practical learning’

 SHILLONG: A joint press conference on the National Education Policy (NEP) was organised today in Shillong ahead of the third anniversary of NEP-2020 to highlight the benefits of its implementation.

Hosted by Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti and Kendriya Vidyalaya Sangathan, the programme served as an opportunity to reflect on the transformative impact of the policy and discuss the institution's progressive initiatives in alignment with the NEP-2020.

National Education Policy (NEP)-2020 has been an integration of Global with local, instilling among learners a deep-rooted pride in being Indian and developing knowledge, skills, and values that make them truly global citizens, said Deputy Commissioner i/c Navodaya Vidyalaya Samiti, Regional Office Shillong, Shri Aditya Prakash Singh.

Addressing the gathering, Singh said that the NEP-2020 has laid the foundation for a forward-thinking approach that nurtures creativity, critical thinking, and practical skills, preparing our students to face the challenges of the 21st century. "NEP of 1986 was followed for 34 years. Ever since NEP-2020 was implemented, the activities held beyond the curriculum and syllabus have multiplied manifolds in central government schools like KV, JNV, and other CBSE schools compared to the previous NEP period," he added. It envisions a policy that aligns with the requirements of 21st-century India, fostering self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat), and integrating the global with the local, Singh concluded.

"NEP is promoting critical thinking rather than rote learning, focusing on learning instead of studying, and encouraging a scientific temperament", added Principal KV EAC, Upper Shillong, Shri Mon Bahadur Chetri. He held that NEP advocates for the universal provisioning of quality early childhood development, care, and education by 2030. 'NEP further recommended that prior to the age of 5, every child will move to a preparatory Class' or balvatika, i.e., before Grade I, with a focus on developing cognitive, affective, and psychomotor abilities."

Vice Principal of KV Happy Valley, Shri K. Ramesh, said that NEP has shifted the traditional route of learning to experiential learning with an understanding of basic concepts. He said that activities like Science and Social Science exhibitions, the Children's Science Congress, interaction with role models, and others have paved the way for practical, field-based learning. All this has enhanced the pleasure and joy of learning among children. All these programmes are supplemented with initiatives of NEP like the NIPUN initiative (National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numbers), which tracks students' progress for intervention to bridge learning gaps, he added. NEP is helping explore the unique capabilities and innate talent of each student. All these are helping the holistic development of the students and preparing them for life after school. There are provisions to learn regional languages, he added.

BD Ramteke, Assistant Commissioner, NVS Regional Office Shillong, said that adequate faculty members, a better learning environment with technology integration, digital learning platforms like smart classes, and other adequate infrastructure are provided by the Union Government to implement NEP. Teachers are provided adequate training with the help of workshops and others to improve the quality of teaching. He underscored the NVS's unwavering commitment to NEP 2020 principles. The focus on competency-based learning in core subjects like language, Science, and math has transformed the learning approach, promoting conceptual understanding over rote learning, he added.

Neelam Sharma, Principal, JNV, East Khasi Hills, spoke about PM Shri: PM Schools for Rising India, which is a centrally sponsored scheme intended to prepare schools of excellence. All categories of schools-primary, Elementary, secondary, and Senior secondary-will be selected under this initiative to be transformed into Exemplar Schools. The Scheme is proposed to be implemented over a period of 5 years, from 2022-23 to 2026-27. A total of 6448 schools across 30 states, UTs, and institutions (i.e., Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodaya Vidyalayas) will be covered in the first phase, she added.

A two-day Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Samagam organised by the Ministries of Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship will be inaugurated tomorrow in New Delhi by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi on the occasion of the third anniversary of NEP-2020. (PIB)

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