Andhra Pradesh to swear by quality-driven National Education Policy
The state government has allocated 17 per cent of its budget, around Rs 30,000 crore, for education, says minister
VIJAYAWADA: Minister for education Adimulapu Suresh said that education should have equality, accessibility, affordability, accountability and reachability. Realising this, Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has decided to implement the recommendations of National Education Policy-2020.
The minister was speaking at webinar, along with NEP-2020 chairman Dr. K. Kasturirangan, on “Creating a Vibrant Knowledge Society-An Indian Strategy for 21 Century” under the aegis of SRM University-AP on Saturday.
Suresh said that in the 21st century, poverty can no longer be a barrier to education, which is evidenced by the state government’s move to introduce several novel programmes in order to make education accessible to everyone. He said that the government believes that mothers are the key to an educated family. Towards this, it has introduced the Amma Vodi programme for mothers.
The minister said “People who were denied education for centuries are now finding their voices. The state government has allocated 17 per cent of its budget, around Rs 30,000 crore, for education. We are currently spending 2-3% of GDP on education, which is close to what has been prescribed in NEP-2020. Now the state is introducing academic banks of credits (ABC) and choice-based credit system (CBCS) to provide students with freedom and flexibility in education."
Stating that NEP-2020 emphasises on higher education but there is nothing much with regard to primary education, Suresh said that Jagan Mohan Reddy has taken revolutionary steps to give impetus to primary education by developing a uniform curriculum and language training. He said that there is tremendous concentration on communicative and soft skill training.
The minister said that Andhra Pradesh is the first state in the nation to implement the recommendations of NEP-2020.
Dr Kasturirangan asserted that over the next decade, India would have the highest population of youth in the world, with more than 50% below the age of 35 years aspiring for quality education.
Dr Kasturirangan explained the role and importance of universities, degree colleges, open and distance education and the role of teachers, who, he said, can effectively take forward NEP-2020.