Mahatma Gandhi has rightly said, “Man is neither mere intellect, nor the gross animal body, not the heart or soul alone. A proper and harmonious combination of all three is required for the whole man and constitutes the true economics of education.”
The New Education Policy 2020 that is based extensively on such ethos and envisions India as a sustainable, equitable and vibrant knowledge society may seem like a tall order but it is a critical necessity to let the benefits of man making education reach every child. The NEP facilitates an all-round drawing out of the child’s body, mind and spirit.
The implementation of NEP 2020 should be a conscious shift from the militarist system of education to a system which establishes equilibrium between body, mind and spirit of each individual. It is the need of the hour that NEP is transferred to the generation ahead with a purpose of welfare of not only of an individual but also of the people. The swift implementation of the NEP 2020 should also be an attempt to drift away from the culture of head and embrace a culture of heart and hand. Vocational Training along with acquiring skills, heath, nutrition, character building and internalisation of moral, ethical and humanistic values should be and is the clear goal of the policy. Giving young minds a freedom to choose could lead to a surge in curiosity and creativity among the young minds.
NEP 2020 stands out for its innovative ideas— some old, some new and some incremental in the right combination, which if implemented effectively, has the potential to revolutionize the education system in the country. In order to create large scale impact, it is imperative that a digital drive is launched and the fundamental right of free and compulsory education is protected by the combined efforts of both the government and the people. Automation in assessment, use of artificial Intelligence, Gamified Learning and Digital Content Creation will certainly be a great leap in the direction of the smooth transition. The power of education needs no elaboration as it is self-explanatory. It can construct or destroy an entire generation, thereby an entire country. NEP 2020 tries to establish India as a powerhouse of knowledge and excellence by making education more holistic, flexible and multi disciplinary and is aimed at bringing out the unique capabilities of each student. NEP 2020 has strong promises to serve and we are eager to spread its benefits to aspiring young minds of the country.
Sheena Kalenga, Principal, St. Mark’s Girls Sr. Sec. School, Meera Bagh. Views expressed are personal.