NEP 2020: Digital learning gets big push, govt announces Divvang-friendly software, virtual labs and more

Despite all the furore over online education not being for the economically and socially backward, India will focus more on the use of technology in education and plan its path accordingly, said Higher Education Secretary Amit Khare while announcing the new National Education Policy. Union HRD Minister Ramesh Pokhriyal and Union Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar, along with Anita Karwal Secretary in the Department of Education and Literacy, MHRD and Khare jointly addressed the media around 4 pm on Wednesday. 

The draft of the policy had said that online question banks of higher order questions will be made available to teachers and students for this purpose. "Since assessment will be formative and will test primarily higher order skills and applications of essential concepts, open book examinations may be used as well, and portfolios may be used in the secondary stage," read the draft. Once internet-connected smartphones or tablets are in the hands of all students, online apps with quizzes, competitions, assessments, enrichment materials, and online communities for shared interests will be developed, and will work to enhance the initiatives," it had said.

"Tech will be part of education planning, teaching, learning, assessment, teacher, school, and student training. Standalone Higher Education Institutes and professional education institutes will be evolved into multidisciplinary education centres. Special education zones for disadvantaged regions will be developed. The government will set-up a National Technology Forum to impart knowledge online as well," said Khare. "Divvang-friendly education Softwares will also be made available. Virtual labs will also be set up to give the students a hands-on experience," he added.

"The policy recognises the importance of technology intervention as an integral part of its charter and stresses upon specialised learning, character development, blended learning, inter-disciplinary methods, outcome-based learning, creative thinking and all the skills which are necessary to dwell in the 21st century. It will be interesting to see how the education industry and academia at large leverage the various opportunities laid out by the government to impart quality education with EdTech as a medium,” said Ramananda SG, VP, Sales & Marketing, Pearson India.

"The New Education Policy of 2020 espouses a multi-disciplinary approach with equal importance given to sports, visual arts, and languages. This is a much-welcomed step that will help children and young adults to develop a multi-faceted and well-rounded personality.   The inclusion of a vocational skill from class 6 onwards will also aid in this new approach of holistic learning," said Rustom Kerawalla, Founder Chairman, VIBGYOR Group of Schools.

The committee — which suggested changes in the education system under the NEP — was headed by former ISRO chief K Kasturirangan. "The cabinet under Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given approval to new education policy for the 21st century. It is important, as for 34 years there were no changes in the education policy," said Union Minister Prakash Javadekar during the announcement.