Extra-mural lecture on theme, ‘New Education Policy- Challenges and Opportunities’ 

Chandigarh, October 15, 2024: Prof. Sachidananda Mohanty, Chair-Professor, Aurobindo Chair Panjab University, Chandigarh held an extra-mural  lecture on the theme, ‘New Education Policy- Challenges and Opportunities’ at the Malaviya Mission Teachers Training Centre (MMTTC) in PU. The lecture was organized collaboratively by the Department of Economics and Mata Gujri Girls’ Hostel, PU.

Addressing the students, Prof. Mohanty elaborated on the historical genesis of the education system of India and spoke about the disruption that the British imperialism caused between the pre-colonial past and the post colonial present. In the post-independence period we had the education policies of Radha Krishnan Commission and the Kothari Commission. The third education policy is the National Education Policy of 2020 which completely departs from the earlier directions. He elaborated that though the NEP-2020 talks about ideas like holistic education, analytical and critical thinking, plurality and institutional autonomy, the ground realities of the educational scenario cannot be ignored. Issues like dwindling numbers of faculty, lack of diversity in the students and teachers, lack of exposure and training of teachers are the challenges in the effective implementation of the policy. 

Prof. Mohanty said that the Budget of Indian higher education was meager and our country is so huge that even much more funds would not be able to create as many colleges, universities, classrooms and infrastructure where more and more students can study. The gross enrollment ratio of the country is increasing and much more students from diverse backgrounds are coming to higher education than previous years. To meet this demand country will have to move in the direction of online education, he added.

Prof. Mohanty’s deliberations were well taken and were followed by thought provoking interactions led by Prof Anil Monga, Coordinator, NEP2020, PU, Dr Pankaj Srivastava, Chairperson, Deptt of Philosophy, Dr Rajesh Jaiswal, Faculty, CDOE, other faculty members, students and research scholars of different departments.

Dr. Smita Sharma, Chairperson, Department of Economics and Prof. Jayanti Dutta, Programme Director MMTTC, PU moderated the discussion and presented the vote of thanks.