Asserting that the New Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020) will bring flexibility in the education system, President Ram Nath Kovind on Saturday said that students will get quality education that meets the requirement of the 21st century.
The National Education Policy 2020 sets a vision to implement an "equitable and vibrant" knowledge society and will allow students to take courses as per their vocational, professional or intellectual requirements, the President said. He added that it will also allow them suitable exit and re-entry points.
"The National Education Policy (NEP) aims to reorient our educational system towards meeting the needs of the 21st century. It sets the vision of developing an equitable and vibrant knowledge society by providing quality education to all. It achieves twin objectives of inclusion & excellence," said the President.
The President noted that the implementation of NEP 2020 is likely to restore India's glory as a great centre of learning.
''India was a globally respected education hub in ancient times. Universities at Takshashila and Nalanda had iconic status. But today, India’s higher education institutions do not get high positions in global rankings.''
He further said that the NEP would discourage the habit of rote learning among the students and overemphasis on marks or grades that causes stress among students.
"The NEP seeks to discourage rote learning and overemphasis on marks or grades. It seeks to encourage critical thinking and a spirit of enquiry, the President added while addressing the Visitor`s Conference on 'Implementation of National Education Policy 2020: Higher Education', he added.
Hailing the new education policy, the President said that the policy reflects a ground-level understanding of the challenges, aspirations and solutions of the education system.
''I am sure that the National Education Policy will be implemented in letter and spirit. It will be a milestone in the history of our country. It will not only strengthen the future of our youth but also set our country on course to becoming ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat', the President said.
There should be a clear focus on quality--higher education institutes under the Centre must set quality benchmarks," he said further.
The new National Education Policy strives for making India into an equitable and vibrant knowledge society. It envisions an India-centred education system that contributes directly to transforming India into a Global Superpower.
