Petition to adopt a proper mechanism of formulating New Education Policy—2016
The Issue
The MHRD has released a 43-page document titled “Some Inputs for Draft National Education Policy 2016” in the month of July as a step towards formulating an education policy with the avowed aim of remedying the ills plaguing the Indian education system. It has sought feedback from the people, the deadline being 15 September 2016. We strongly feel that formulation of such a policy statement needs threadbare discussion involving the key stakeholders—educationists, scientists, the teaching community, education-loving people, as well as the student community.
We note with deep concern that the document has not been publicized in any form, and most people directly concerned with education have no idea that such a consultative process is supposed to be taking place. Further, it has been published only in English, and not in any of the state languages thus excluding the majority of the people from the process. On top of that, the deadline set for sending suggestions is too short a time period for wide and meaningful deliberations. Moreover, the 230-page report of the 5-member T S R Subramaniam Committee, constituted by the Ministry for the purpose of drafting the Policy statement, has not been made public. All these show the government's reluctance to draw upon the collective wisdom of the key stakeholders in formulating the NEP-2016.
We are asking that the full draft of the proposed NEP-2016—not an abridged version—should be released. It should be properly publicized in the print and electronic media, and should be subjected to scrutiny and discussions by the stakeholders. It should be made available in all the state languages so that people can come to know the contents of the policy and what it portends for the future of education. Only then can meaningful and widest possible exchanges of opinions take place which will help to evolve an education policy that will truly address the education needs of the masses. Appropriate time, at least six months, should be allowed for this process. The policy may be tabled in the Parliament only after it is redrafted on the basis of the feedback received.
The Issue
The MHRD has released a 43-page document titled “Some Inputs for Draft National Education Policy 2016” in the month of July as a step towards formulating an education policy with the avowed aim of remedying the ills plaguing the Indian education system. It has sought feedback from the people, the deadline being 15 September 2016. We strongly feel that formulation of such a policy statement needs threadbare discussion involving the key stakeholders—educationists, scientists, the teaching community, education-loving people, as well as the student community.
We note with deep concern that the document has not been publicized in any form, and most people directly concerned with education have no idea that such a consultative process is supposed to be taking place. Further, it has been published only in English, and not in any of the state languages thus excluding the majority of the people from the process. On top of that, the deadline set for sending suggestions is too short a time period for wide and meaningful deliberations. Moreover, the 230-page report of the 5-member T S R Subramaniam Committee, constituted by the Ministry for the purpose of drafting the Policy statement, has not been made public. All these show the government's reluctance to draw upon the collective wisdom of the key stakeholders in formulating the NEP-2016.
We are asking that the full draft of the proposed NEP-2016—not an abridged version—should be released. It should be properly publicized in the print and electronic media, and should be subjected to scrutiny and discussions by the stakeholders. It should be made available in all the state languages so that people can come to know the contents of the policy and what it portends for the future of education. Only then can meaningful and widest possible exchanges of opinions take place which will help to evolve an education policy that will truly address the education needs of the masses. Appropriate time, at least six months, should be allowed for this process. The policy may be tabled in the Parliament only after it is redrafted on the basis of the feedback received.
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Petition created on 18 August 2016