New Education Policy for Private Universities
The New Education Policy (NEP) was released in July 2020 by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD) and approved by the Union Cabinet to boost the standard of the Indian education system. The NEP 2020 replaces the 36-year-old NEP that was articulated in 1986 and subsequently revised in 1992 and 1998.
The New Education Policy Highlights for Private Universities- The reformed education policy stresses on holistic as well as multidisciplinary education, instead of rote learning.
- This policy introduces a new 5+3+3+4 education structure and moves away from the current 10+2 system.
- The policy focuses on using technology in education to make it more accessible and effective.
- The NEP 2020 envisages a system where all children have access to quality education and there is no distinction between rural and urban areas.
- It focuses on providing technical and vocational education to students so that they are better equipped to enter the workforce.
- It proposes to set up a NHERC - National Higher Education Regulatory Council to manage and supervise the regulation of higher education institutions.
- It seeks to provide greater autonomy to universities and higher education institutions, and promote academic mobility. Thereby governing both, public and private universities by the same regulations.
- It introduces the concept where all the higher education institutes (HEIs) will be governed by a single regulator, except the Medical and Law Colleges.
- The master’s degree (MPhil) course will no longer be required.
- The policy aims to increase the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) in higher education from 26.3% to 50% by 2035.
- Vocational education will start right from middle school in class 6. This vocational education curriculum will have internships as well.
- In the Indian Higher education system, students will now have flexibility in choosing subjects. Also, there will be multiple entry points and exit points for all students.
- UG programmed courses will not be fixed for 3 years but can range in duration from 1 to three to four years. The minimum duration required to get a certificate is 1 year.
- The new system will be student-centric, where all subjects’ education is reduced to its core essentials.
- Academic bank of credit (ABC) will be created as a digital recognition awarded for a student’s academic performance. ABC can allow universities to verify an institution’s credits, or schools can use it to reward or recognize students. It can help to keep track of the credits each student has earned over time.
- Regulators for higher education will be light but tight.
- Focus on online learning to ensure that students are educated to the highest standard. In the new system, e-learning will be expanded to include online courses which will provide flexibility in terms of location and time for students.
- By the end of 2040, the aim is to make all universities multidisciplinary institutions which will have 3000 or more students.
- College affiliation will be phased out in the coming years.
- At least one oversized multidisciplinary HEI (higher education institution) should be built-in or near every district by 2030.
The goal is to help create 100% youth and adult literacy