From Policy to Practice: NEP 2020’s Implementation Remains Unimpressive

We have been celebrating the annual anniversary of NEP 2020 for the last four years but for some strange reasons, the HECI has not yet been established to promote and regulate higher education in India. In the 2024-25 Budget, Rs 47,620 crore has been allocated to the Higher Education Department, which is 17% less than the revised estimate of 2023-24. As of 2023, more than 30% of teaching positions were vacant in 45 central universities in India. To achieve the target of 50% GER (Gross Enrolment Ratio) India will need more than 3.3 million trained teachers in higher education institutions by 2035.

Education is one of the key factors that significantly determines the development of any country. Thus, it must and ought to change according to the needs of the times and the changing world scenario. It provides an opportunity to reflect seriously on humanity’s social, economic, cultural, ethical, and spiritual issues. India needs more skilled and educated people to move its economy forward.

The National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 is the first education policy of the 21st century and aims to address the various growing developmental imperatives of our country. The policy aims to bring about sweeping changes in the entire education system, including higher education, where the focus is on promoting multidisciplinary education, skill development, and research and innovation. It proposes to increase the gross enrolment ratio in higher education to 50% by the year 2035.

Delay in establishing HECI

National Education Policy 2020 is definitely an attempt to bring a revolutionary change in the education system of India, but there are some obstacles in its complete implementation due to which it is not being fully implemented! Regulating a policy requires the establishment of a higher commission. Currently, there are various bodies related to higher education such as UGC, AICTE etc. The Higher Education Commission of India, it is proposed, is to be formed by merging all these bodies.

National Education Policy 2020 aims to bring about sweeping changes in the entire education system, including higher education, where the focus is on promoting multidisciplinary education, skill development, and research and innovation.

Also Read: Why is it challenging to implement NEP 2020 in Academic Institutions?

The Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) was proposed to regulate the National Education Policy 2020! We have been celebrating the annual anniversary of National Education Policy 2020 for the last four years but for some strange reasons, the Commission has not yet been established to promote and regulate higher education in India! The Commission will be responsible for overseeing the regulatory framework for higher education and ensuring compliance with the National Education Policy 2020.

This has a direct impact on the governments making regulations. It may be necessary for state governments to follow the guidelines of the Higher Education Commission, but this does not mean that state governments cannot make their own regulations. State governments work closely with the central government to improve their education system and also make their own rules and regulations. Unless a Higher Education Commission is formed, it will be difficult to regulate higher education smoothly.

Budget cuts amidst resource-starved landscape

Many universities do not have adequate resources to implement all the provisions of the NEP 2020 on higher education. This includes financial resources, human resources and infrastructure.

Large-scale investments are required to develop new curricula and teaching materials, impart training to teachers and modify evaluation systems. It is important to develop laboratories, libraries, and playgrounds in educational institutions to fulfil the requirements of the NEP 2020 that vouches for holistic and multidisciplinary education. Financial resources are also needed to strengthen educational institutions, promote research and give autonomy to universities.

Resources are required at almost every step for implementing the provisions and recommendations of the National Education Policy 2020 which emphasizes the power of digital education. Investment is required for digital infrastructure, online learning content and digital skill development.

Also Read: Implementation of NEP 2020 in Higher Education: Challenges & Way Forward

Many universities do not even have the basic infrastructure required for implementing the tall claims of the National Education Policy 2020. This includes laboratories, libraries and digital resources. The Budget 2024-25 for education in India has been cut by 7% and the allocation for the University Grants Commission has been reduced by 61%.

In the budget for the year 2024-25, Rs 47,620 crore has been allocated to the Higher Education Department, which is 17% less than the revised estimate of 2023-24!

India’s R&D investment as a percentage of GDP is still quite low (0.64%). It lags far behind countries like China (2.4%), Germany (3.1%), South Korea (4.8%) and the United States (3.5%).

Allocations to Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) have also been slashed for the second consecutive year. Budgets for central universities have also been cut. In the budget for the year 2024-25, Rs 47,620 crore has been allocated to the Higher Education Department, which is 17% less than the revised estimate of 2023-24! Inadequate allocation for higher education is a persistent problem. About Rs 1.48 lakh crore was allocated for higher education, employment and skill development in the budget, out of which the Higher Education Department got Rs 47,619.77 crore, which is less than 1 per cent of the total value of the budget of Rs 48.2 lakh crore.

Also Read: Anniversary of NEP 2020: Education needs intensive care

Shortage of teachers

Amidst the new claims being made every day in the name of skill development of youth for employment, the reality is that there are no teachers to teach students in various institutions for the last several years.

Of the country’s 40 million students, only 4% study in central universities and the remaining 94% are pursuing their studies in state government and private universities.

There is a problem of shortage of teachers in almost all higher education institutions in India. The UGC chairman says that the shortage of teachers in universities is the main challenge in implementing the new education policy, as this will reduce research work and students will not be able to get better education. Of the country’s 40 million students, only 4% study in central universities and the remaining 94% are pursuing their studies in state government and private universities. In many state universities, up to 80% of the seats are vacant.

As of 2023, more than 30% of teaching positions were vacant in 45 central universities in India. Also, prestigious institutions like IITs also have a shortage of 15 to 25 per cent of teachers. According to the UGC, out of the total sanctioned teaching positions, 35% of Professor positions, 46% of Associate Professor positions, and 26% of Assistant Professor positions lie vacant. In some colleges, 70-80% of ad-hoc teachers work, while according to UGC guidelines, the number of ad-hoc teachers should not exceed 10% of the total regular strength of teachers.

Also Read: Indian Teachers in Chakravyuh: Guru, Researcher or Contractual Worker?

To achieve the target of 50% GER (Gross Enrolment Ratio) India will need more than 3.3 million trained teachers in higher education institutions by 2035!

To achieve the target of 50% GER (Gross Enrolment Ratio) India will need more than 3.3 million trained teachers in higher education institutions by 2035!

There is a lack of effective collaboration between higher education institutions and industries in India, which is leading to a skill gap among graduates. According to the India Skills Report 2024, a 60-73% demand-supply gap exists in key roles such as ML Engineer, Data Scientist, DevOps Engineer and Data Architect. Should there be a rethinking of National Education Policy 2020? It is a bit premature to rethink on National Education Policy 2020. This policy is still in its early stages and it will take time to be fully implemented! The central and state governments should allocate adequate resources for the implementation of National Education Policy 2020. But, while the allocation of resources is of paramount importance, what is also needed is a critical understanding of the National Education Policy 2020, more decentralization in its implementation considering the diversity of institutions and more academic and administrative autonomy to institutions for the implementation of National Education Policy in its true spirit.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are of the author solely. TheRise.co.in neither endorses nor is responsible for them. Reproducing this content without permission is prohibited.