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My thread on the #NEP2019 - new education policy. First of all, congratulations are in order to @PrakashJavdekar for a comprehensive, excellent and forward looking National Education Policy document that addresses most of the problems plaguing our education sector today. 1/n 
First lets start with the controversial part: extension of RTE Act to pre-primary early childhood education. One may note that it has been limited to public education system only. “It will be obligatory for the public system to provide appropriate quality and infrastructure”. 2/n
Loosening of input restrictions of the RTE, “regulations on inputs will be limited to ensuring safety of children, access and inclusion, non-profit and minimum learning outcome standards”. This is a big step forward in diluting this draconian act. 3/n
In what may turn out to be a lethal blow to Leftist hegemony on humanities, the hard separation of arts and science, as also curricular and extra-curricular activities will be abolished. For example, a techie can also pursue their interest in music or history simultaneously. 4/n
This will make language warriors very happy. Even the words in the document sound as if @Sankrant wrote them! Education to be in the home language / mother tongue. High quality textbooks to be developed in all languages. 5/n
“English has no advantage over other languages in expressing thoughts... English has not become the international language they it was expected to back in the 60s, most advanced countries use their own native languages, it is sugggested that India works towards the same.” 6/n
This will bring joy to those protesting against Hindi imposition: “The study of three languages by students in Hindi speaking states would continue to include Hindi and English and one of the modern lndian languages from other parts of India.” Teaching Tamil to UP 😀 7/n
Local language will be enhanced with the reading and analysis of uplifting literature from the Indian subcontinent, ancient to modern.. every student will take a course on “the languages of India” and “Learn about the remarkable unity of most of the major Indian languages” 8/n
Study of Sanskrit and incorporation of its ancient and medieval writings e.g. Kalidas, Bhasa into curriculum, history changing Sanskrit writings included in various subjects beyond language. Similar treatment to Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam, Odia, Pali, Kannada, Persian, Prakrit. 9/n
Inclusion of music and art, local folk music and instruments into pre school and schools, taking up at least one art for deeper study, interaction with local artists and crafts persons. These are vital for making our civilisational cultures vibrant and resurgent. 10/n
Vocational training to be included in school from grade 6 onwards. 11/n
Introduction of values, ethical and moral traditional Indian values of satya, seva, ahimsa, nishkaam karma - long abandoned Indic civilisational values being brought back with modern day relevance. Added: constitutional values, health and safety training. 12/n
Panchatantra, Hitopadesh, Jataka and inspiring tales from the Indian traditions to be included. Ancient Indian knowledge systems to make a comeback into curriculum of maths, astronomy, philosophy, psychology, architecture, medicine, governance, polity. 13/n
Course on critical issues facing the community, country and world for all students in grades 7-8. The measures outlined in this and previous tweets will help create a nation of aware citizens unlike the unfortunately clueless deracinated lot our system currently produces. 14/n
Board examinations to be restructured and made modular, testing only core concepts, skills and higher order capacities, elimination of single “high stakes” board examinations, board exams every semester so that children can appear even twice a year or more. 15/n
Minimum education qualification of teachers to be integrated B Ed. Public schools to be brought together into single organisational and administrative units called “school complex”, process to be completed by 2023. Private and public schools regulated by same criteria. 16/n
Boards of Assessment will have no role in setting curricula or creating textbooks (so ICSE Board cant make syllabus!) Schools can develop their own curriculum within broad guidelines. International Boards will supplement their curricula to bring in line with Indian context. 17/n
Private schools free to set their fees but no arbitrary increase allowed on any hear, increase in cost due to factors like inflation allowed (still too much regulation here). SMC to endorse the annual financial audited statement of the school (silly). 18/n
On RTE: significant dilution. Overemphasis on infra to go. Educational outcome to be the criterion. Most important, clause 12(1)(c) (25% free seats) to be reviewed: if continued, to be applicable even on minority institutions that don’t serve primarily their minority group. 19/n
Transforming “liberal arts” into traditional Indian format for the 21st century. All undergraduate programs shall have special focus on language education with proficiency in at least one Indian language, music, visual and performing arts, sports, Yoga, local traditions. 20/n
National Research Foundation to be set up to bring in research culture from school to higher education, expand research and innovation in the country. Researchers get to keep the intellectual rights on their innovations. 21/n
The practice of setting up standalone universities for professional education will be discontinued. Bilingual Education especially in law education for lawyers and judges - English and language of the state. 22/n
Healthcare Education: first two years common to MBBS-BDS-Nursing, lateral entry allowed (bridge courses). Exit exam doubles up as PG entrance exam. I can see allopathic medical associations up in arms already. 23/n
One of my suggestions makes it to national education policy: converting all district level hospitals to medical and paramedical colleges, this will massively boost public healthcare system and create much needed skilled workforce. 24/n
Expanding PG education: diploma courses - College of Physicians and Surgeons Mumbai is a terrible example to take for a forward looking policy, considering that it has been at the center of major healthcare education scams. @DrRPNishank ji may kindly note and correct. 25/n
Integrating educational tech into school curriculum from age 6 onwards: these are pretty standard clauses for the times. No surprises here. 26/n
High quality specialised content in multiple Indian languages and also curated from across the world to be made available for nominal fee in online repositories such as the National Digital Library. This is a superb move, books are quite expensive. 27/n
National Repository of Education Data to be set up - to be the only mechanism for institutions to disclose data to govt agencies for monitoring, accreditation, ranking and applying for govt schemes. Apart from streamlining the system, this should help stop leakages. 28/n
Major changes in Vocational Education; integrated with mainstream, easy mobility across vocational and General academic streams, made part of school curriculum. Funding support for cost involved for the institutions to be given by govt through a separate fund. 29/n
New apex body, Rashtriya Shiksha Aayog headed by the Prime Minister to oversee and implement the new education system. The big hitch in all this: these dramatic changes will involve raising education budget to 20.9% from current 10%. Money will have to come from economic growth.
