New three-step national education policy, says Maharashtra Task Force – Times of India

MUMBAI: One year after the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 came into force, the state task force set up to implement it in higher education has recommended it in three phases based on resources. From proposing changes from a three-year bachelor’s program to a three- or four-year program with a final year focus on research, to give university status to a large group of institutions with proven academic records, the committee has made several recommendations in short-term implementation plans that will require financial resources. No. In the long-term plan, it has approved the provision of universal free digital rights for all students in the state. The report of the task force has been submitted to the government and will be presented to the cabinet soon.

A 19-member task force was formed in October last year under the chairmanship of scientist Raghunath Mashelkar. It identifies 18 provisions of the NEP that can be applied immediately through simple instructions. These include providing a plan for a four-year degree program, launching post-doctoral programs at universities, enabling digital adjunct faculty on board for foreign universities and enabling provision for fee rationalization, and reforming fee regulatory policies. The dual-degree mode of operation and collaboration needed to be defined, and the creation of an academic bank of credit was needed in the medium-term plan, which required some funding.

Mashelkar told TOI that the NEP has given the education system a chance to rethink, rethink and restructure. “One of the important recommendations we have made is to completely transform digital education. We recommend free digital devices and infrastructure for all students, as well as free access to digital education, assessment and employment resources. The idea is to provide digital solutions to students from end to end, ”Mashelkar said. The report estimates that the annual investment for statewide digital transformation will be around Rs 1 lakh crore for the beneficiaries of around 1 lakh lakh students, starting from 10 lakh in 2022-2 in. It comes in at around Rs 10,000 per year, an increase of just 12-18% from current costs, it says.

Rajan Velukar, former vice-chancellor of the University of Mumbai, who was chairman of the subcommittee on curriculum, said they suggested a flexible, future empowerment curriculum. HSNC University member, task force and provost Niranjan Hiranandani said, “The report emphasizes on training students in some professions by adopting multi-disciplinary approach … even if they leave midway, they will be equipped with a diploma or degree.”