‘NEP 2020 has potential to transform lives of Northeast youth’

Dimapur, Sep. 25 (EMN): Early learning of mother tongue and flexibility in higher education proposed in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 will make India a global knowledge hub. The policy has the potential to transform the lives of the youth in the Northeast but the state governments and implementing agencies will have to take into account the local requirements to ensure smooth transition.

These views were expressed at the webinar organised by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) and Field Outreach Bureau, Aizawl on “National Education Policy 2020: An overview and issues in the North Eastern states”.

Speaking about Nagaland, Soni Kumar, assistant director, PIB Kohima said that the state government is working on implementing the policy while keeping in mind the requirements and realities of the state. He said that experts are being consulted and infrastructure requirements are being evaluated, an update stated.

Delivering keynote address, Lal Tanpuia, associate professor and additional state project director, of the Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan, Mizoram said that the pillar of the policy has accessibility and flexibility.

“Multi-disciplinary system of higher education proposed by the policy will help us take our skills and knowledge to the levels that are required in the new age,” he said

Tanpuia gave a comprehensive overview of various provisions of the new policy and the state of higher education in Mizoram.

Ruatliana Sailo, director of Indian Institute of Mass Communication, Aizawl said that mass communication will be co-ordinating with universities to ensure that higher and vocational education fits in seamlessly with the new system.

Abhishek Dayal, director of PIB Imphal, said that the infrastructure and language-related issues in the north-eastern states will be sorted out under the broader guidelines of the policy. He called upon the media to engage with experts and all stakeholders to ensure that the regional requirements for smooth implementation of the policy is debated and people get a clear idea of the advantages that they can draw from these reforms.

While extending vote of thanks, Shariq Noor, assistant director, PIB Aizawl, expressed hope that various issues raised during the webinar will be debated and the provisions of the policy, as explained so clearly by Tanpuia, will be taken to the common man by the media.

The webinar was attended by over 25 officials of the Northeast zone, Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, members of the media and officials.