The PEP seeks a complete reversal of all the key aspects of NEP, calling for strengthening formal education, a massive increase in government funding, a return of education to the State list, and so on. | Photo: iStock/ Getty Images

The implementation of the National Education Policy 2020 is in full swing. Various aspects of the policy are being implemented by the Centre, central agencies, as well as State governments and their agencies, albeit with some caveats here and there. The three-language policy, for instance, has drawn opposition in some States. But the general thrust of the policy, which draws from the Kasturirangan Committee’s recommendations, is being applied, and rules have been framed for application across much of India.

While supporters of the NEP laud it as ground-breaking and one that would help India leap into the future, detractors have said that while its diagnosis of the Indian education system is not far off the mark its cure is worse than the disease. They say the NEP will do more harm than good.

The draft People’s Education Policy, unveiled recently for public comments, takes this approach. From the splitting of school-college years to the emphasis on foundational literacy and numeracy, the PEP seeks a complete reversal of all the key aspects of NEP, calling for strengthening formal education, a massive increase in government funding, a return of education to the State list, and so on.

Let’s join us on a webinar to critically understand and discuss what the alternative policy is saying. The Hindu will host a live webinar titled ‘People’s Education Policy: A challenge to NEP 2020’, on Saturday, May 31, 5:00 p.m.

The panellists include: Prof. Arun Kumar, Former Professor, CESP, JNU; Prof. Sachidanand Sinha, Former Professor, CSRD, JNU; Ramnath Sankaran, Engagement Lead, CEGIS; K. Ramachandran, EdTech Entrepreneur. The session will be moderated by M. Kalyanaraman, who heads The Hindu’s Education vertical.

Register now for free to ask questions and interact with the panellists. Those who ask the three best questions will receive a free online subscription to The Hindu.

Panellists

Prof. Arun Kumar, Former Professor, CESP, JNU

Arun Kumar joined JNU in 1984 and retired as the Sukhamoy Chakravarty Chair Professor in the Centre for Economic Studies and Planning, Jawaharlal Nehru University, in 2015. He was the Chairperson of a Commission on Unemployment set up by Civil Society Groups, and its Report was released in October 2022. Before this, he was the Malcolm Adiseshiah Chair Professor in the Institute of Social Sciences from 2017 to 2022. He was a member of the team to study the black economy for CBDT (1982-85).

He has a Ph.D. in Economics from JNU and a Master’s in Physics from both Princeton University, U.S., and Delhi University. He is a gold medalist of the Delhi Higher Secondary Board and Delhi University. He has specialized in Development Economics, Public Finance and Public Policy, and Macroeconomics.

Prof. Sachidanand Sinha, Former Professor, CSRD, JNU

Prof Sachidanand Sinha is a Former Professor, Centre for the Study of Regional Development, JNU, New Delhi. His research revolves around access to education and health facilities, particularly with reference to marginalised sections, inaccessible terrain, etc. He had worked with the GoI on the identification of educationally backward districts. He currently serves as the President All India Save Education Committee Delhi Chapter.

Ramnath Sankaran, Engagement Lead, CEGIS

Ramnath anchors CEGIS’ engagements in Education and HR with the Government of Tamil Nadu. Before joining CEGIS, he spent over two decades at Infosys, gaining experience in sales, designing, and delivering large and complex programs, as well as assembling and leading cross-functional teams. Ramnath made a conscious shift from the technology sector to explore his interest in Public Policy and effective governance. He is passionate about creating equity for children by improving access to better education and is keen to create impact at scale.

K. Ramachandran, EdTech Entrepreneur

K Ramachandran ( KRC) is an entrepreneur, freelance journalist, writer. In his 18-year career in journalism, KRC has covered education and urban development. In 2007, he shifted careers to head the industry – academia interface program at a leading IT and Consulting Services company. He was involved in curriculum making committees on many occasions of universities, colleges and industry forums like Nasscom and the CII. He became a co-founder of 361 Degree Minds, a digital education and edtech company. Currently he heads Strategy and large initiatives at 361 Degree Minds.

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