What does the NEP-2019 say about Higher Education?﻿
Sai Krishna Muthyanolla
June 14, 2019
What does the draft NEP 2019 say about the Higher Education in India?  What are the problems in the current system and what does it recommend?
The draft National Education Policy (NEP 2019) provides extensive information & analysis on the current scenario of Higher education in India and its vision for the future.
The earlier NEP was introduced in the year 1986 & modified in 1992 and over the last 33 years, there have been sweeping changes in the socio-economic, political and technological climate across the world, with India being no exception.
Many academicians, educational and policy experts have been calling out for a review of the current situation and come up with a progressive policy that not only addresses the current issues plaguing Higher education in India, but also sets the agenda for the coming decades. Let’s see what the NEP 2019 has to offer.
Identifying the problem of a redundant system in a dynamic environment
The draft NEP 2019 does a good job in identifying, acknowledging and highlighting the varied issues currently prevailing in our higher education system.
NEP Recommendations: Towards the total overhaul of the Higher Education System
In view of the observations made, the draft report has remarked that there needs to be an overhaul of the current system and have a progressive system which is in tune with the requirements of the 21 century. The following action items are proposed in the draft report.
The need for a prompt and practical change
The recommendations in NEP 2019, with regards to Higher Education are laudable but are worth only when implemented. The major takeaway, is the recommendation for an overhaul of the whole Higher Education system, which can take considerable amount of time and effort in addition to political will.
However, the situation is fast spiralling out of control and in many an aspect the decadence has already set in.
These reflect a situation which demands for prompt & immediate action. Further, it has to be ensured that the proposed NHERA, NRF etc. do not replicate the practices and experience the current regulatory authorities in Higher Education. Questions also arise in regards to practicality of establishing 200 Global universities. Should we rather focus on building select few top class universities that rank among Top 200 universities globally?
The Draft NEP 2019, has been critical of the current higher education system  and does a very good job of identifying the problem at hand. However, the recommendations , while being necessary do sound unrealistic unless a workable plan with achievable and strict deadlines is formulated.
Featured Image:NEP-2019 about Higher Education in India