Question : Funds for New Education Policy

(a) whether there is no committment to Government funding in the entire National Education Policy ;

(b) if so, the details thereof ;

(c) the reasons for no reservation in either admissions or appointments and categorizing all as underprivileged sections without distinguishing the advasis, dalits, women and minorities ;

(d) whether the NEP, 2020 is likely to increase inequalities in the society that are already existing and the policy will neither reduce the gap nor make education a great equaliser; and

(e) if so, whether the Government proposes to modify the policy to ensure social justice; and

(f) if not, the reasons therefor ?

MINISTER OF EDUCATION

(SHRI RAMESH POKHRIYAL ‘NISHANK’)

(a) and (b): NEP 2020 unequivocally endorses and envisions a substantial increase in public investment in education by both the Central government and all State Governments. The Centre and the States will work together to increase the public investment in Education sector to reach 6% of GDP.

(c): The purpose of the education system is to develop good human beings capable of rational thought and action, possessing compassion and empathy, courage and resilience, scientific temper andcreative imagination, with sound ethical moorings and values. It aims at producing engaged, productive, and contributing citizens for building an equitable, inclusive, and plural society as envisaged by our Constitution. It is stated that the reservation in admission or appointment is governed by statutory provisions. NEP 2020 does not affect the existing constitutional provisions of reservation. NEP 2020 aims to ensure that no child loses any opportunity to learn and excel because of the circumstances of birth or background. It proposes special emphasis to be given on Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGs) which include: gender identities (particularly female and transgender individuals), socio-cultural identities (such as Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, OBCs, and minorities), geographical identities (such as students from villages, small towns, and aspirational districts), disabilities (including learning disabilities), and socio-economic conditions (such as migrant communities, low income households, children in vulnerable situations, victims of or children of victims of trafficking, orphans including child beggars in urban areas, and the urban poor).

(d) to (f): The NEP 2020 reaffirms that bridging the social category gaps in access, participation, and learning outcomes in both school and higher education will continue to be one of the major goals of all education sector development programmes. The National Education Policy 2020 has been finalised after detailed consultation process with all stakeholders including State/UT Governments, followed by the approval of Union Cabinet. NEP 2020 is built on the foundational pillars of Access, Equity, Quality, Affordability and Accountability.

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