National Education Policy has been widely welcomed by experts, student bodies and educationists in Manipur who have variously termed from pathbreaking to ‘game-changing.’

Union Cabinet approved the National Education Policy (NEP 2020) on 29^th July 2020, paving way for transformational reforms in school and higher education systems in the country. The new policy aims for Universalization of Education from pre-school to secondary level with 100 % GER in school education by 2030 and will bring 2 crores out of school children back into the mainstream. NEP 2020 emphasizes on ensuring universal access to school education at all levels – from preschool to secondary. The policy lays down that the Centre and the States will work together to increase the public investment in the Education sector to reach 6% of GDP at the earliest. The policy seeks to rectify weaknesses in the higher education sector also and prepare the system to take on the challenges of the future.

The New policy has been very well received in Manipur. Educationists, student bodies and editorials in prominent newspapers have welcomed the new policy.

Speaking to the media he said that after a gap of 34 years, the NEP was re-formulated this year and the latest version is based on five main features viz; accessibility, equity, quality, affordability and accountability. The policy is aimed to bring large scale transformational changes in both school education and higher education and that it is aimed at creating a vibrant knowledge society and make India a superpower in terms of knowledge and education, he added. He expressed the view that people will witness great changes in the education sector, including infrastructure, teachers and many more as the policy is implemented. Minister urged the people to take the full opportunity of this policy and make the young minds bring out their hidden talent with maximum potential.

Kangleipak Students’ Association (KSA), a student body has welcomed the NEP saying that it will help achieve various large scale, transformational reform in school education as well as in the higher education sector. KSA in a press statement urged the Education Department to publish in its website and media about the works being taken up by the Government, to keep the public notified and updated and urged for quick implementation of the 5+3+3+4 curriculum by the Department.

Newspaper editorials and columnists have expressed the view that if implemented properly and in the spirit with which it has been formulated, the NEP will be a ‘game-changer’. It has been felt that the new policy has the potential for transforming India into a new powerhouse of knowledge. One editorial said that ‘education systems of many developed countries, notably Germany, provide opportunities for skill training from an early age instead of wasteful investment in rote-learning and the acquisition of a college degree.