New National Education Policy major factor in 'mahayagna' of nation building: PM Modi

NEW DELHI: As the new National Education Policy (NEP) completed one year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday said it is one of the major factors in the grand exercise of nation-building and assures the youth that the country supports their aspirations.

Modi said in the last one year, teachers, principals and policymakers of the country have worked very hard in implementing the National Education Policy on the ground. Addressing a programme on the completion of one year of the NEP, the prime minister said what new heights "we will achieve in the future will depend on what kind of education we are giving to our youth at present". "India's new National Education Policy is one of the major factors in the 'mahayagna' (great exercise) of nation-building," Modi said.

Modi said in the last one year, teachers, principals and policymakers of the country have worked very hard in implementing the National Education Policy on the ground. "Today's youth wants to decide their systems and their world on their own terms. They need exposure and freedom from shackles and restrictions.

The New Education Policy, assures our youth that the country is fully with them and their aspirations. The Artificial Intelligence programme which was launched today will make the student future-oriented and will pave the way for an AI-driven economy. "Similarly, National Digital Education Architecture (NDEAR) and National Education Technology Forum (NETF) will go a long way in providing a digital and technological framework to the entire country", the prime minister said. Highlighting that the NEP also gives importance to mother tongue and local languages, Modi said he was happy that 14 engineering colleges in eight states are going to start studies in five Indian languages -- Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi and Bangla.

Enabling children to script a future of their dreams.

PM @NarendraModi ji to launch multiple initiatives under National Education Policy, 2020 marking one year of the futuristic reform.
#TransformingEducation to Transform India.

Watch Live from 4:30pm https://t.co/ezB44VcIus pic.twitter.com/bG03ADqGR0

— Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) July 29, 2021

"A tool has been developed for translating engineering courses in 11 languages. This emphasis on mother tongue as the medium of instruction will instil confidence in the students from poor, rural and tribal backgrounds. Even in elementary education mother tongue is being promoted and the Vidya Pravesh programme, launched today, will play a big role in that. "Indian sign language, for the first time, has been accorded the status of language subject. Students will be able to study it as a language also. There are more than three lakh students who need sign language for their education. This will give a boost to Indian sign language and will help the divyang people", said the prime minister.

He highlighted the openness and absence of pressure in the New Education Policy. There is openness at policy level and this is also visible in the options available to the students. Options like multiple entry and exit will free students from the restriction of staying in one class and one course. Similarly, the modern technology-based Academic Bank of Credit system will bring in a revolutionary change.

"This will give confidence to the students in choosing streams and subjects. 'Structured Assessment for Analyzing Learning levels' (SAFAL) will take away the fear of examination", he said. Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan as well as some chief ministers also participated in the event. The NEP will help prepare global citizens who will merge the best of tradition with the most modern and global outlook. These valuable human resources will shoulder collective responsibilities in the face of natural disasters and find solutions for issues that confront humanity. "The progressive NEP will have a far-reaching impact on re-shaping the resilience, destiny and global standings of an Aatmanirbhar Bharat. The NEP reflects the resolve of our leadership to situate India at the top of the knowledge economy", Pradhan said.

The new NEP assures the youth that the country is now completely with them and with their aspirations, he said. Modi said the Artificial Intelligence (AI) programme which has just been launched will make the youth future-oriented and open the way for an AI-driven economy. Highlighting that the NEP also gives importance to mother tongue and local languages, Modi said he was happy that 14 engineering colleges in eight states are going to start studies in five Indian languages -- Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, Marathi and Bangla. Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan as well as some chief ministers also participated in the event.

After a long wait, India got a National Education Policy. This policy caters to the dreams and aspirations of India’s talented youth. As the Policy completes a year today, glad to see new initiatives being launched relating to implementation of key components in the policy. pic.twitter.com/R8ppcAa7ux

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 29, 2021

The NEP, which was approved by the Union Cabinet last year at a meeting presided by Prime Minister Modi, replaced the National Policy on Education framed in 1986. It is aimed at paving the way for transformational reforms in school and higher education systems to make India a global knowledge superpower.

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