Karnataka to scrap National Education Policy 2020 implementation for next academic year

Siddaramaiah, chief minister of Karnataka, has proclaimed the elimination of the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP) beginning with the upcoming academic year. CM Siddaramaiah explained to a gathering of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) at the party’s headquarters that the NEP should be eliminated due to incomplete preparations this year and the start of the academic year following the results of the state election.

Siddaramaiah stated that modifying NEP during the current academic year would present difficulties. He noted that pupils, parents, and educators have raised objections against NEP. Siddaramaiah criticized the BJP for instituting NEP in Karnataka earlier than in other states.

Academics in the state reacted differently to the announcement made by the chief minister. Due to the lengthy nature of policy formulation, Niranjanaradhya VP, an educator, proposed the formation of a new committee without delay.

Niranjanaradhya emphasized the need for a well-defined vision for the next 15 to 20 years, one that prioritizes the quality and equitable distribution of educational resources while also taking into account human rights, constitutional values, and the Right to Education.

Madangopal M., who led the task force for NEP implementation in the state, opined that a more nuanced approach rather than outright rejection should have been adopted, despite the fact that NEP contains valuable elements.

NEP 2020 is a continuation of the incomplete education policy from 1986. Madangopal emphasized the retention of the NEP’s structural and academic reforms, progressive measures in teacher education and skill development, a multidisciplinary educational approach, and subject choice flexibility.

The All-India Democratic Students Organisation praised the government’s decision to eliminate the proposed four-year degree course requirement from NEP.

Ajay Kamath, the state secretary of AIDSO, raised additional concerns about higher education in the state, imploring the government to address issues such as increased admission fees, faculty shortages, hostel shortages, and protracted delays in scholarship distribution.