New Education Policy 2020 lacks Clarity with Certain Facets : West Bengal Government

A 6-member committee has highlighted that the thrust of the New Education Policy on all the students across the state is not a feasible idea. The committee has been formed by the West Bengal Government. The motive behind was to study and share the views on the New Education Policy 2020.

It has also been claimed by the committee members that a report has been made by taking all the aspects of new education policy into consideration. The report will be submitted to the state government in a few days.

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"We have almost readied the report, which will be submitted to the government in a couple of days. I am of the view that in a country of 130 crore population, you cannot thrust a uniform education policy on all states, regardless of their needs and economic status. What can be applicable in Manipur may not make sense in Bengal," the committee member said.

It has also been claimed that there is a lack of clarity about the certain aspects of the New Education Policy such as restructuring of Matriculation Board exams and the new education reforms introduced in the primary schools. The Central Ministry should have consulted with the state governments before adopting such a policy.

Also Read: National Education Policy 2020: Additional Charge to NTA to Conduct Common Entrance Exam for Higher Educational Institute

"The prevailing education policy where each state has its own board to conduct exams up to the tenth standard cannot be altogether replaced by a new policy without any alternative mechanism in place. These things might not have been considered before ratification of the policy. I have pointed that out in the report," the committee member told PTI.

He claimed that the panel had faced some challenges in understanding the entanglement of certain recommendations made for the country's higher education system, and maintained that the "reason for abolishment of MPhil for research scholars was not very clear’’. "This policy opens doors for foreign universities to set up bases in the country. That is also not a welcome move as we already have top-class higher educational institutions in the country," the committee member said.

Features of NEP 2020-

• Students will have to take school examinations in grades 3, 5 and 8, which will be conducted by appropriate authority. 
• Board exams for Grades 10 and 12 will be redesigned, the NEP 2020 document said.
• The policy has also approved of a "broad-based, multi- disciplinary, holistic undergraduate education with flexible curricula, creative combinations of subjects, integration of vocational education and multiple entry and exit points with appropriate certification". 
•  Earlier this month, the state government had formed the six-member committee to study and share observations on the new policy, which was approved by the Union Cabinet in the month of July. 
•  Jadavpur University Vice-Chancellor Suranjan Das, retired professor and TMC MP Sougata Roy, educationist Pabitra Sarkar, and oncologist Nrisingha Prasad Bhaduri are the members of the committee.
• State Education Minister Partha Chatterjee had criticised the policy two weeks ago, calling it a "copy of the system prevalent in western countries". Mr Chatterjee had also said that the TMC government would convey its opinion on the policy to the Centre on the submission of its report by the six-member team.