New Delhi (TIP)- The education system developed by the British was not a part of the Indian ethos and created a “service class”, and the National Education Policy (NEP) will open doors to take education out of narrow thinking towards modernity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Thursday, July 7.

The PM was speaking at a three-day education summit in Varanasi, also attended by Union education minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Uttar Pradesh chief minister Yogi Adityanath and governor Anandiben Patel. Later in the day, Modi spoke about empowerment of the poor at a rally in the city, interacted with schoolchildren and inaugurated projects worth Rs 1,774 crore. “The basic premise of the NEP is to take education out of narrow thinking and connect it with the modern ideas of the 21st century. There was never a dearth of intellect and talent in the country, however, the education system created by the Britishers was never part of the Indian ethos. The British provided this education system to prepare a servant class for themselves to meet their needs,” he said at the Akhil Bharatiya Shiksha Samagam, organised by the Union education ministry to discuss the successful implementation of the NEP.

The NEP, which was launched in 2020, aims to enhance the quality of the education system which must provide to all students, irrespective of their place of residence, with particular focus on historically marginalized, disadvantaged, and underrepresented groups. It also aims to create higher performance standards for teachers by way of clearly outlining their roles and required competency. The policy envisions an education system rooted in Indian ethos that contributes directly to transforming India sustainably into an equitable and vibrant knowledge society, besides developing among the students a conscious awareness of one’s roles and responsibilities in a changing world. The PM stressed that the education system should not create only degree holders. “We should not only create degree-holder youth but give our education system to the country, whatever human resources are needed for the country to move forward. Our teachers and educational institutions have to lead this resolution,” he added.

For creating a “New India”, the PM stressed that a new system and modern processes were critical. “What was not even imagined earlier is a reality now. Not only did we recover so fast from the big epidemic of Corona, but today India is one of the fastest-growing large economies of the world. Today we are the third-largest startup ecosystem in the world,” Modi said. Before the programme began, Modi interacted with a group of children, who showcased for him skills ranging from yoga asanas to playing the drum. Dressed in their school uniform, the students surrounded the PM as he sat in a chair. A student sang the Shiv Tandav stotram while another played a drum. One of them performed yoga while another recited a poem on the importance of cleanliness. “Many congratulations to all of you. You all have different talents. You are very talented people,” Modi told the young students.

          Source: HT