Dr. Rajkumar Singh
Higher education is the educational level that follows secondary education and usually includes college, university, and postgraduate studies. It is typically pursued after completing a high school diploma or its equivalent and offers more specialized and advanced learning in a particular field of study. Its key aspects include: a. Universities: These institutions offer a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs across various disciplines. They often conduct research and grant degrees such as bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees.Colleges: These institutions can offer programs similar to universities, but they might be smaller in size and focus more on undergraduate education. b. Community Colleges: These provide two-year associate degree programs and often serve as a stepping stone for students who plan to transfer to a four-year university. c. Vocational and Technical Schools: These institutions focus on providing specialized training and education in practical skills for specific careers, such as culinary arts, automotive repair, and medical technology. These institutions normally offer a. Associate Degree: A two-year degree typically obtained from community colleges, vocational schools, or technical institutes. b. Bachelor’s Degree: A four-year undergraduate degree that provides a more in-depth education in a specific field of study. c. Master’s Degree: An advanced degree that can be pursued after obtaining a bachelor’s degree. It usually takes one to two years to complete and involves more specialized study. d. Doctoral Degree (Ph.D.): The highest level of academic achievement, requiring several years of original research and the completion of a dissertation. It is often pursued by those aiming for careers in academia or research. e. Fields of Study:Higher education offers a vast array of fields, including but not limited to arts, humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, technology, business, law, medicine, and more. f. Admission Process:Higher education institutions often have a competitive admission process.
Higher education and NEP- 2020
The NEP 2020 covers all levels of education, from early childhood to higher education, and aims to bring about significant reforms to address the evolving needs of society. Its impacts include: a. Multidisciplinary and Flexibility:The NEP 2020 encourages a multidisciplinary approach in higher education. It aims to break down rigid barriers between disciplines and promote the integration of various subjects to provide students with a broader and more holistic education.The policy promotes flexibility in curriculum design, allowing students to choose courses from different disciplines and customize their educational paths according to their interests and career aspirations.b. Four-Year Undergraduate Programs:The NEP 2020 recommends shifting towards a four-year undergraduate program with multiple exit options. This enables students to leave with a certificate or diploma after completing a certain number of years, and a bachelor’s degree at the end of four years.c. Research and Innovation:The policy emphasizes the importance of research and innovation in higher education. It encourages universities to establish research-intensive environments, increase funding for research, and promote collaboration between academia, industry, and research institutions.d. Quality and Accreditation:The NEP 2020 focuses on improving the quality of higher education by setting up a new accreditation framework. Institutions will be assessed based on various criteria, including teaching quality, research output, and governance.e. Faculty Development:The policy stresses the need for faculty development programs to enhance the skills and knowledge of educators. f. Technology Integration:The NEP 2020 recognizes the role of technology in education and recommends the integration of technology for effective teaching, learning, and assessment. It promotes the use of online resources and digital platforms.g. Holistic Development:The policy aims to foster the holistic development of students by integrating extracurricular activities, sports, and vocational training into higher education programs.h. Internationalization:The NEP 2020 encourages internationalization of higher education by promoting collaborations between Indian and foreign institutions. i.. Language of Instruction:The policy suggests offering programs in regional languages to promote access and inclusivity. j. Governance and Autonomy:The NEP 2020 recommends enhancing institutional autonomy and reducing regulatory interference. It envisions the establishment of Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) as a single regulatory body for higher education, replacing multiple existing bodies. n. Equity and Inclusion:The policy aims to promote equity and inclusion in higher education by providing scholarships, financial aid, and support for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. It seeks to prepare students for a rapidly changing world and foster a culture of research, creativity, and lifelong learning.
Comparison of 1986 and 2020
The National Education Policy (NEP) of 1986 and the NEP of 2020 are two distinct policy frameworks introduced by the Government of India to shape and reform the education sector in the country. While both policies aim to improve education, they have different focuses, objectives, and approaches which include: a. Emphasis on Multidisciplinary and Flexibility (NEP 2020):NEP 2020 places a strong emphasis on promoting a multidisciplinary approach in education, allowing students to explore a wide range of subjects and disciplines.NEP 1986 had a more traditional disciplinary approach to education, with a focus on specialization within specific fields of study. b. Four-Year Undergraduate Programs and Multiple Exit Options (NEP 2020):NEP 2020 recommends the adoption of four-year undergraduate programs with multiple exit options, enabling students to receive certificates, diplomas, or degrees based on the number of years completed.NEP 1986 generally followed a three-year undergraduate program without the provision of multiple exit options. c. Research and Innovation Focus:Both policies recognize the importance of research and innovation in education, but NEP 2020 places a greater emphasis on research, establishing research-intensive universities and promoting a research culture. d. Autonomy and Decentralization:While NEP 1986 aimed to enhance institutional autonomy and decentralization of decision-making,NEP 2020 emphasizes autonomy but proposes a new regulatory body, the Higher Education Commission of India (HECI), to oversee higher education institutions. e. Language of Instruction (NEP 2020):NEP 2020 recommends offering programs in regional languages while ensuring proficiency in the medium of instruction. f. Technology Integration:NEP 2020 highlights the integration of technology for effective teaching, learning, and assessment, acknowledging the role of digital tools and online resources in education. g. Equity and Inclusion NEP 1986 focused on addressing disparities in access to education, while NEP 2020 seeks to provide quality education and support to disadvantaged groups, focusing on early childhood care and education. h. Vocational Education (NEP 2020):NEP 2020 places a strong emphasis on vocational education, aiming to integrate vocational courses into mainstream education and providing practical skills to students.i. Accreditation and Quality Assurance (NEP 2020): NEP 2020 introduces a new accreditation framework to ensure quality in higher education, evaluating institutions based on various criteria including teaching, research, and governance. While NEP 1986 laid the foundation for modernizing education in India, NEP 2020 seeks to further transform the education landscape to prepare students for the challenges of the 21st century.
(The author is a Youth Motivator).