Prime Minister Announces Initiatives to Boost the Education Sector
30.07.2021 | Education News | EduLegaL | www.edulegal.org | mail@edulegal.in
29th July 2021, the Hon’ble Prime Minister, on the occasion of completion of one year of introducing the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 announced the launch of initiatives in the education sector.
NEP 2020: The Union Cabinet had approved NEP 2020 replacing the old policy of 1986 that aims at the transformation of the education sector in schools as well as the higher education system. It also aims at making India a global platform in imparting education.
Below is a brief on the initiatives launched:
SAFAL
Structured Assessment for Analysing Learning (SAFAL) is an initiative taken for the development of the learning process of the students in Grade 3, 5, and 8. The initiative was made in the context of para 4.40 of the NEP 2020 that focuses on the all-around development of an individual involved in the schooling system.
Under SAFAL, students will take school examinations in Grades 3, 5, and 8 that would test student achievement of basic learning outcomes through assessment of core concepts along with relevant higher-order skills and application of knowledge in real-life situations, rather than rote memorization.
Technical Education in Regional Language
All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), further to the announcement made by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, released a circular dated 29.07.2021, declaring the launch of teaching engineering in regional languages. AICTE has stated in its circular that it has started the course in regional languages namely, Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Tamil, and Telugu in 13 different colleges.
To implement this, the AICTE has developed an ‘Artificial Intelligence Indian Language Translation’ tool which will help in simultaneously developing content in regional languages. Course books in polytechnical books have also been covered; interested institutes can make use of them. Additionally, the courses offered through Study Webs of Active–Learning for Young Aspiring Minds (SWAYAM) is also made available in 8 different languages.
AI for All
‘Artificial Intelligence for All’ has been launched by Intel India in collaboration with the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) and Ministry of Education, India. It is a 4 hours self-paced, micro-learning program aimed to help facilitate the learning and adaptation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the general public. The program is divided into two sections: AI Aware and AI Appreciate. Both sections are designed in a way that they can be completed in approximately four hours with each section including images and interactive activities followed by a short and easy quiz to test learning outcomes. Upon clearing the quiz, the participant is given a digital badge and a certificate that they can share on their social media accounts and tag #AIForAll. The quiz comes with an option of multiple attempts.
Inclusive Practise in Schools
Inclusive education, a system of education, where students may it be students with or without disabilities are given the convenience to learn together in a system of imparting teaching and learning that is efficiently designed to meet the learning needs of different types of students with disabilities.
Accordingly, the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) through a circular dated 29.07.2021 issued an advisory to be adopted by schools for promoting inclusive education. Schools will be required to take into consideration all factors involved and accordingly conduct exams and assessments. As per the circular, the Board has sought systems adopted by schools in effectively implementing this initiative while requesting them to fill the form for survey at http://forms,gle/nMnNtBZBHLRTtZK6
Academic Bank of Credits
University Grant Commission (UGC) through a circular dated 29.07.2021 launched the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) encourages students to pursue interdisciplinary/multidisciplinary courses in Degree/ Diploma/PG-diploma with the flexibility to route their learning as per their strengths following the principle of multiple entry-multiple exits anytime, anywhere and at any level. The ABC offers students autonomy in course selection, through their higher education years, as against the application of a standard curriculum thus paving the way to innovative learning methods. The ABC envisions an education that aids in life-long learning by allowing students to conform to a curriculum that concurs with their aptitude and permits them to pursue a course of their choice at their pace. Students can avail of the facility to open a digital Academic Bank Account in which the ABC shall hold the deposits of credits of a student submitted through affiliated higher education institutes and also offer services that include credit verification, credit accumulation, credit transfer/redemption, and Degree authentication.
Vidya Pravesh
Vidya Pravesh, a 3-month preschool module developed and designed by the National Council of Educational Research and Training that aims at offering students and equipping them with a curriculum that builds numerical and alphabetic literacy.
Indian Sign Language
Indian sign language, as per the launched initiatives has now been given the status of a language subject. This implies that sign language will be taught similar to other spoken languages in schools.
National Educational Technology Forum
National Educational Technology Forum (NETF), aimed at exchanging ideas and innovation on using technology while giving an impetus to enhanced learning, assessment, planning, administration in schools, and HEI’s was launched.
NISHTHA 2.0
Under this, teachers are to be trained as per their needs while allowing them the opportunity to share their learnings and suggestions with the department.
Rasmita Behera | Research Intern | EduLegaL
Swapna Iyer | Legal Editor | EduLegaL
