2020 – Posted in: RSTV – Tags: budget 2020, education, new education policy

EDUCATION & ASPIRING INDIA

Introduction

In the budget for the Union 2020, the Minister of Finance Nirmala Sitharaman suggested a rapid implementation of the new education policy, in addition to several measures which will bring about a paradigm shift in education systems and the creation of jobs in India and abroad.

The budget allocated 99,300 million rupees for the education sector in 2020-2021 and around 3,000 million rupees for skills development. In the previous Union budget, the government allocation for the sector was Rs 94.8 billion. The FM said about 150 higher education institutions will start integrated diploma/ apprenticeship courses by March 2021 and start a program through which local urban agencies across the country will offer internship opportunities to new engineers for a period of up to a year.

To create infrastructure in the education sector, measures would be taken to enable the supply of external commercial loans and FDI to be able to provide better quality education. Institutions ranked among the top 100 in the national institutional ranking will begin a comprehensive online education program for students in the private section of society.

Provisions governing education in the Indian Constitution

According to article 21-A of the Constitution of India, education is a fundamental right.
Article 21-A stipulates that “the State must provide free and compulsory education to all children aged six to fourteen, in the manner determined by the State by law”.
The Right to Education Act (RTE) is the resulting legislation.

New education policy

The FM reported that about 150 higher education institutions will start integrated diploma / degree courses by March 2021 and will start a program through which local urban agencies across the country will provide internship opportunities for new engineers over a period Up to one year.
To create infrastructure in the education sector, measures would be taken to enable the supply of external commercial loans (ECB) and FDI to be able to provide better quality education.
Institutions ranked in the top 100 as part of the national institutional ranking will begin a comprehensive online education program for students in the private sectors of society.
There are provisions for the establishment of medical schools with hospitals at district level supported by extensive viable public funds. It is a measure aimed at bringing about a revolution in the teaching of medical sciences.
Another big bang reform that the government introduced in the budget is to carryout an online joint entry test (CET) for all unpublished positions through a national independent recruiting body to be put in place.
The Minister of Finance has also presented a proposal to introduce an IND-SAT exam as part of the "Study in India" program for Asian and African countries to assess foreign applicants who receive scholarships to study at centers of study.

Skills development in the new educational policy

Lack of skills development can cause a demographic disaster, therefore the focus on skills development is of utmost importance.
The new education policy focuses on skills development, recognizing that India currently produces a large number of graduates with no employable skills. There is a large gap between education and the knowledge and skills among graduates.
The education sector is dominated by titles, not skills.
The Ministries of Health and Skills Development and Entrepreneurship, in collaboration with professional bodies, would design a special bridging course with the aim of achieving equivalence and improving the skill set of teachers, nurses, paramedics and caregivers.

Issues and challenges in the education sector

The needs of higher education and school education have not been met. Only around 12% of schools comply with RTE.
Quality of education: the right to education has not guaranteed quality education for the poor due to system failures and lack of regular monitoring
This creates a bias between students who can afford private schools and those who attend public schools.
Public schools have become synonymous with poor quality education.
Teachers: The shortage of teachers is also a problem.
Teachers are often absent from government institutes or participate in non- educational activities.
Teacher training institutes are mostly private institutes that provide lower quality training for teachers.
School infrastructure: most schools lack basic facilities, such as separate bathrooms for girls and boys, playgrounds, and some schools even lack sufficient classrooms.
Lack of focus on skills: there is a large gap between industrialists and academics, which affects the development of general skills among students. Most graduates do not have the necessary skills required by employers.
Commercialization of education: the education sector was commercialized, which prevented students from accessing equal and quality education. Students in private schools have access to better education and facilities than students in public schools.

Way Forward

Secondary education and training must go hand in hand.
Competency framework needs to be improved
Higher education institutions must offer professional courses integrated into undergraduate education programs.

Conclusion

At school level, the element of vocational training must be integrated. Education needs innovation to stay fresh and relevant.
Powered by technology and tools, our education system can be expanded to build and empower our citizens to help the country on the path to becoming a digital and knowledge economy.
Universities are always places of the future: the future is formed in its pots, its classrooms and its conversations. Universities must be open, question, trust, experiment, inspire, give direction and allow people to believe that nothing is impossible.
Governments and their bureaucracies will need to free up institutions to allow them to make their own decisions.
For any development of higher education to bear fruit, it must be supported by strengthening primary education. China has achieved this.
New distance learning technology must be fully used to improve standards of education and knowledge.

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