Tamil Nadu forms panel to frame its own education policy

Context

The government of Tamil Nadu has recently formed a 13-member panel to frame the education policy of the state. 

• The government had made a promise of formulating a state education policy in the 2021-22 state Budget.

The idea of the new state education policy

• The idea of the new state education policy was announced in the Budget but the idea was first mooted in response to the Centre’s move of implementing the National Education Policy. 
• The state’s school education minister, in December 2021 had stated that the draft of this education policy will be prepared in a few months’ time by the panel of experts and it will be self-explanatory to the state’s position toward the NEP of the centre.

Tamil Nadu’s opposition to the NEP

• The state is opposing the NEP due to several reasons that include common entrance tests under the NEP for all UG programmes, the introduction of a three-language policy when the state itself is following a two-language policy, and common exams for classes 3, 5 and 8. 
• The state is also apprehensive about the four-year degree programme with multiple exit options.

Evolution of Education Policy in India

• University Education Commission (1948-49)
• Secondary Education Commission (1952-53)
• Education Commission (1964-66) under Dr D. S. Kothari
• National Policy on Education, 1968
• 42nd Constitutional Amendment, 1976- Education in Concurrent List
• National Policy on Education (NPE), 1986
• NPE 1986 Modified in 1992 (Programme of Action, 1992)
• S.R. Subrahmanyam Committee Report (May 27, 2016)
• K. Kasturirangan Committee Report (May 31, 2019)

The National Education Policy, 2020

• It marks the fourth major policy initiative in education since Independence.
• The last one was undertaken 34 years ago and modified in 1992.
• Based on two committee reports and extensive nationwide consultations, NEP 2020 is sweeping in its vision and seeks to address the entire gamut of education from preschool to doctoral studies, and from professional degrees to vocational training.

Key-points of National Education Policy 2020

• Universalization of Education: New Policy aims for Universalization of Education from preschool to secondary level with 100 % GER in school education by 2030.
• 5+3+3+4: New 5+3+3+4 school curriculum with 12 years of schooling and 3 years of Anganwadi/ Pre-schooling.
• Foundational Literacy and Numeracy: Emphasis on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, no rigid separation between academic streams, extracurricular, vocational streams in schools; Vocational Education to start from Class 6 with Internships.
• Mother language: Teaching up to at least Grade 5 to be in mother tongue/ regional language.
• Multilingualism: New Policy promotes Multilingualism in both schools and HEs.
  • National Institute for Pali, Persian and Prakrit, Indian Institute of Translation and Interpretation to be set up.
• Assessment reforms with 360-degree Holistic Progress Card, tracking Student Progress for achieving Learning Outcomes.
• Higher Education curriculum to have Flexibility of Subjects.
• Multiple Entry / Exit to be allowed with appropriate certification.
• Academic Bank of Credits to be established to facilitate Transfer of Credits.
• National Research Foundation to be established to foster a strong research culture.
• Light but Tight Regulation of Higher Education, single regulator with four separate verticals for different functions.
• Affiliation System to be phased out in 15 years with graded autonomy to colleges.
• NEP 2020 advocates increased use of technology with equity; National Educational Technology Forum to be created.
• NEP 2020 emphasizes setting up of Gender Inclusion Fund, Special Education Zones for disadvantaged regions and groups.