Committed to implement ‘National Education Policy’: VC CUK

Srinagar, July 26: On the completion of three years of the National Education Policy (NEP), Vice Chancellor, Central University of Kashmir, Prof. A Ravinder Nath along with Dean Academic Affairs, Prof. Shahid Rasool, Convener NEP-2020 Implementation Committee, Prof. Syed Zahoor Geelani, and Deans of various schools of the university, addressed the media at the DIPR Auditorium here.
The press conference was held as part of the Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Sangam celebrations.
While talking to the media, Prof. Nath highlighted the long journey of NEP’s implementation. “NEP was actually introduced in 1968 but then it took ten years for it to be implemented and subsequently it was introduced again in ’86 and then in ’92. Finally, after three decades, the policy has been properly implemented,” he said.
He pointed out that the policy was formulated keeping in mind the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He said, “We have the SDG of Quality Education as one of our aims where we can provide inclusive, equitable, quality education with lifelong learning opportunities. Universities are to conceive programs based on the ‘holistic’ education approach benefitting the learner.”
He pointed out that CUK has organized seven major events (like seminars, workshops, training etc for awareness among faculty about NEP) till now and more are expected to pop up. Prof. explained that NEP can provide students with vertical and horizontal mobility throughout India and abroad.
Prof Nath also pointed out the emphasis laid by NEP on making the curricula and courses such that there is an “outcome-based education system mainly with knowledge, skills and competency.” He said that such a system would go with the “pedagogy model based on learner interest and abilities.
Prof. Nath also talked about a ‘four-pronged’ strategy that has been adopted to satisfy the needs of the “students of a digital generation who want to explore the curriculum.” This includes an emphasis on teaching, learning, training, and engagement. “We want to give the knowledge of the past, the present, and what ought to be so that our students can predict the future”, Prof. Nath said.
He talked about the different categories of learners and the unique techniques that have been adopted under the NEP to deal with each of those categories. He also pointed out that on completion of one hundred credits by an MA student who otherwise needs to complete only eighty credits, an MA Honours degree will be provided giving the chance to students to explore beyond their prescribed curriculum.
The Vice Chancellor shared with the media the ‘Target 100 Days’ report explaining their synchronization with NEP goals.
The NEP was introduced in 2020 but implemented in the academic year 2023-24. The policy had its fair share of support and concerns. Nonetheless, it would be fair to say that its implementation brought a hurricane of change in the sector of education.