Announcing the changes brought under the new National Education Policy, Higher Education Secretary Amit Khare said that the new policy will allow self-disclosure to implement a transparent system of approval. This will replace the current system of approvals which is being done through on-ground inspections — that have been known to be mired in delays and have been accused of fostering corruption.
Some of the important features of the new National Education Policy include graded academic, administrative and financial autonomy of institutions and a single regulator for all higher education, working under a self-disclosure based transparent system for approvals in place of numerous 'inspections', said Khare at the web conference in the presence of 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.
"The NEP should have been implemented years ago to enable India's education system to catch up with that of other fast-developing nations in Asia. The focus on light government regulation, multidisciplinary institutions and creating equivalence of vocational and academic streams are welcome, but these have been a part of other countries' education models for years. It would have been good to have some more innovative ideas implemented like recognition of pathway/twinning programs with foreign universities, permission for for-profit firms to set up schools and colleges, allowing corporate CSR funding for primary research in universities and allowing universities to offer online degrees to outside their geographical jurisdiction. As education is a state subject, it is important for the central government to create a mechanism to ensure each state implements these new policies effectively," said Dr Akhil Shahani, Managing Director, Shahani Group.
"We believe that the self-disclosure approval system is a welcome addition to the latest Education policy 2020. It has become imminent that the government aims to bring transparency to the field of higher education in the country," said Ashok Mittal, Chancellor, Lovely Professional University. "This will definitely help raise the quality standards across higher education institutions in India. LPU has always been at the forefront of promoting transparency in its operations. As per our policy, fees structures and other course-related details are clearly listed on the website, as we firmly believe that being transparent works in favour of HEIs that are promoting quality education. It is good to note that under the national framework, all HEIs will have to adhere to this policy," he added.
With the online transparent system of self-disclosure, it will be easier for the institutes to apply for grants, proposals and so on and the process will also potentially speed up, said Khare. 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.
