Introduction:
Education is imparting knowledge or skill to individuals over a period of time so as to prepare them to become an enlightened member of the society.
Education ensures the all-round development of the personality of the individual.
Ever since the Independence of India, we are trying to revamp and restructure our education policy so as to bring them in consonance with the latest industrial and technological developments.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
Requirement for Amendments in the Current System:
The educational structure which had existed in India since the British rule had led to growing disparities and differences between different classes of the society. Many students were left out because they could not afford such education. The course curriculum was also inflexible and did not address a few other pressing issues which are required.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
Women had been previously neglected to pursue education because of their existing status in the society. There should be a new system which should also allow women to receive basic education.
The National Policy on Education:
The National Policy on education was formulated in the year 1986 after taking into account the various views and suggestions received from the different sectors of the society. This policy talked about the access to quality education to everyone irrespective of their caste, creed or colour. It would be based on a flexible course curriculum promoting socialism, democracy, equality of sexes, removal of social barriers, protection of environment etc.
The minimum levels for learning were to be laid down for each stage of the educational process. In the cases concerning technical education, interregional mobility has to be facilitated by providing equal access to each Indian on the basis of merit. Special measures should be adopted for the backward classes of the society like the Scheduled castes, Scheduled tribes, handicapped, and the other minorities.
Other Features of the New Policy:
The new elementary education will emphasize on two things namely; compulsory primary education of children up till 14 years of age and substantial improvement in the quality of the education. A non-formal education system shall be formulated for the children from villages where there are no schools, working children who cannot attend full-day schools, and school drop-outs.
ADVERTISEMENTS:
Secondary education should expose students to different roles in science, social sciences and humanities. Vocational education shall be separated from the existing system and be made a distinct stream. It would assist the students for different identifiable occupations spanning several areas of activity.
With respect of higher education, emphasis has been laid down upon improvements and modifications in the existing institutions and universities. There shall be a consolidation and expansion of facilities in these universities. The programs and courses offered shall be re-designed to meet the criteria of specialization.
Conclusion:
Despite the welcome changes in the education system of the country with the implementation of the National Policy on Education, the same would require huge sum of money. Without regular reviews and monitoring, the implementation would fall prey to irregularity and mismanagement at the hands of the officials. This policy on education will bring a sea change in the educational structure of the country and will help India progress better.