We congratulate and thank the Hon’ble Education Minister Sh. Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’ for bringing about a transformational change in the country’s school and higher education system with the announcement of the New Education Policy (NEP) after a gap of 34 years. 

The government must also be congratulated for its participatory approach in the drafting of the NEP. The acceptance of graded autonomy for autonomous colleges giving high performing institutions academic, administrative and financial autonomy; a request that we have been making through the platforms of ASSOCHAM, EPSI shall definitely set the standards for world-class education. A single regulator for Higher Education and common norms for public and private institutions shall go a long way in contributing to the improved 50 percent GER that the country is aiming for by the year 2035. 

While the New Education Policy shall be instrumental in bringing affordability, equity, quality, and accountability in education; it shall enable a flexible and integrated structure for students with credit transfers and a focus on multi-disciplinary education (with the option to choose between majors and minors).  Simulated virtual labs through National Educational Technology Forum (NETF) shall bring world-class labs to the students. 

The focus on holistic education, both at the school and the higher education level is commendable. Universalization of Early Childhood Care Education and the announcement of the 5+3+3+4 pedagogical change is a Path-breaking reform in school education. Application of knowledge is critical to the Skilling needs of our country. Making Board exams knowledge based; Bringing vocational education into the mainstream and an increased focus on digitization shall give a fillip not just to the country’s Skilling mission but also to the aspirations of the country’s youth. 

The 360 degree holistic progress card of child proposed by the Ministry that allows for self, peer, teacher review with the mention of the skill imbibed by the child each year; is a step towards making the future leaders of the country self-reliant. 

Indeed, the Indian Education Sector is now poised for its NEXT BIG LEAP!

Dr. PRASHANT BHALLA

President, Manav Rachna Educational Institutions

Chairman, ASSOCHAM National Council on Education