Teahers hail new education policy, express concerns

Bhanu P Lohumi

Tribune News Service

Shimla, August 1

The teaching community has welcomed the new education policy but also expressed apprehensions about the implementation of the policy in toto. They said importance to regional language in the foundation of education, interdisciplinary approach in the policy document and focus on skill development was good but it might not be suitable for the hilly state that has a scattered population.

They said the autonomy of institutions would lead to expensive higher education, which would be out of the reach of commoners. Inviting foreign universities for research will commercialise education, they said.

“The new policy with a 5 3 3 4 pattern will reduce the burden on students in school and the workload will be properly distributed, students can opt for subjects of their choice. Moreover, the policy stresses on making teaching the first profession,” said president of Himachal Government Teachers Union (HGTU) Virender Chauhan.

Cautioning that the interdisciplinary approach in the policy should not meet the same fate as RUSA implemented in 2013, Himachal Government College Teachers’ Association (HGCTA) general secretary RL Sharma said skill development needed proper integration of the education system with industry requirements, otherwise the purpose would be defeated. He said the division of educational institutions into three layers — research universities (self-financed) exclusively for research purposes, learning universities and UG colleges — would create more division between university and colleges. He said more finances would be required to undertake research due to which few students would be able to opt for it.

Himachal Pradesh University Vice-Chancellor Prof Sikander Kumar said, “Now, years of students will not be wasted if they have to leave studies midway. As per the new policy, colleges will offer four types of courses — certificate on successful completion of one year, diploma after two years, degree after three years degree and PG degree after four years.” Focus on mental development in primary classes, common aptitude test and one regulatory body for all would bring tremendous change in the education sector, he stated.