Lok Sabha Question No. 29 (STARRED), answered on 2019-06-24
Subject: New Education Policy
Ministry: HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT
Asked by: Pritam Gopinath Munde, Asaduddin Owaisi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION

## LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 29 TO BE ANSWERED ON 24.06.2019

## New Education Policy

## *29. DR. PRITAM GOPINATHRAO MUNDE: SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI:

Will the Minister of HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has announced Draft National Education Policy (NEP)-2019, if so,  the  salient  features  thereof  and  whether the  Government has taken into confidence all stakeholders in this regard and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether the said Policy has been finalised and if so, the manner in which the Draft NEP, 2019 is different from the Draft NEP, 2018 along with the details of amendment included in this policy, the reasons for such amendments;
- (c)  the  details  of  the  funds  likely  to  be    sanctioned  for  implementation  of  the  said  policy across the country including Tamil Nadu;
- (d) whether the Government proposes to implement compulsory three language formula in all the States under the said Policy and make Hindi as a compulsory subject in all the States, if  so,  whether  some  States  have  opposed  this  formula  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  along with the reaction of the Government thereto;
- (e) whether the proposed Policy is also employment-oriented, if so, the details thereof and if not,  the  reasons  therefor  along  with  the  steps  taken/to  be  taken  by  the  Government  for implementation of the said Policy and the time by which it is likely to be implemented; and
- (f) whether the Government has taken special steps to carry out comprehensive reforms in the  standard  of  education  in  the  economically  backward  areas  particularly  Bundelkhand region and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER MINISTER OF HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT

## (SHRI RAMESH POKHRIYAL 'NISHANK')

(a) to (f): A Statement is laid on the table of the House.

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## STATEMENT  REFERRED  TO  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (a)  to  (f)  OF  THE  LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 29 FOR REPLY ON 24.06.2019 ASKED BY DR. PRITAM GOPINATHRAO MUNDE AND SHRI ASADUDDIN OWAISI REGARDING NEW EDUCATION POLICY

(a) and (b): The Committee for draft National Education Policy under the Chairmanship of Dr. K Kasturirangan has submitted their draft to the Ministry on 31.05.2019. The draft has been  uploaded  in  the  Ministry  of  Human  Resource  Development  website  for  seeking comments  of  stakeholders.  The  National  Education  Policy  will  be  finalized  by  the Government only after examining all the suggestions/comments of stakeholders.

(c):  The  National  Education  Policy  will  be  accompanied  by  an  implementation  plan consisting of specific initiatives, investments and outcomes.

(d): The 3 Language Formula has been adopted in the National Policy on Education 1968 and  reiterated  in  National  Policy  on  Education  1986.  Section  4.5  of  the  Draft  NEP  2019 emphasizes on the power of language and multilingualism and providing education in the local language/mother tongue in early stages. Further, the various sub-sections of Section 4.5 of the draft report outline the importance of learning more languages for enhancing the cognitive abilities of children, bilingual approach for those whose language is different from the  primary  medium  of  instruction,  exposure  to  three  or  more  languages  in  schools  and standardising sign language. Further, while reaffirming the importance of implementing the extant Three Language Formula in letter and spirit, the draft report proposes for flexibility within the same regarding the choice of languages.

(e):  Draft  National  Education  Policy  2019 inter-alia proposes  to  integrate  vocational education into all educational institutions - schools, colleges and universities and to provide access  to  vocational  education  to  at  least  50%  of  all  learners  by  2025,  which  will  be facilitated through collaboration between educational institutions and technical institutions and industry. Each educational institution will make a careful choice of a few areas that they would like to offer, based on an analysis of the jobs available in their regions. The focus will be the development of practical skills as well as the associated theoretical knowledge along with a broad-based education. It also proposes a strong undergraduate liberal education with integration of various subjects so as to develop 21st century capabilities necessary for the employment  landscape  of  the  future  -  such  as  critical  thinking,  communication,  problem solving, creativity, cultural literacy, global outlook, teamwork, ethical reasoning, and social responsibility  -  which  will  not  only  help  to  develop  outstanding  employees  but  also outstanding citizens and communities.

(f):  Currently  there  are  several  ongoing  initiatives  and  schemes  aimed  at  improving  and reforming the quality of education in backward regions as well as to address social, gender and regional imbalances in educational development. The Draft NEP 2019 also recommends that  the  initiatives  need  to  be  taken  to  include  educationally  disadvantaged  and  Under Represented  Groups  (URGs)  at  all  stages  of  education  which  will  include  creation  of Special  Education  Zones  in  educationally  disadvantaged  regions  across  the  country  with targeted funding.

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