GS-1: Salient aspects of diversity in India and Indian Society. [GS2]-Education.

Key phrases:  The National Curriculum Framework 2005, The National Educational Policy 2020

Why in news:

The recent events such as lynching of a Dalit youth to death in Punjab, uproar over Fabindia advertising Diwali as Jashn-e-Riwaaz depict deep-rooted prejudices

Analysis:

What is the role of schools in the formation of prejudices/stereotypes?

Schools are a microcosm of the larger society. If there are cleavages in society, they will get reflected in schools. For example, a Dalit girl’s experience will be different from a Brahmin boy, even if they go to the same school. This is because, for each child, the social reality outside of school will also impact what he experiences inside schools.

The two sides of School:

• On the one hand, they have homogenising rituals such as mandating a school uniform, common assembly and common modes of teaching, evaluating and disciplining imposing the same code of conduct/expectations from everyone.
• On the other hand, there are rituals that are meant to mark/grade and separate students from each other. This is most evident in the way high achievers are rewarded, made to wear marks of distinction, sometimes even physically separating them from the so-called weaker sections.

How do schools play a role in stereotyping?

1.Textbooks: 

• Women and other social groups on the gender spectrum, people with disabilities, hardly find any presence in textbooks. 
• Social inequalities present in the real world are often replicated inside school because of value bias of teachers.
• Textbooks are kept sanitized on purpose with no mention of any social evil or conflicts. This is done to keep young minds away from the ill effects of all that is bad in society.
• Ironically a child experiencing discrimination day in and day out in his real life is transitioned to a make-believe world where all is well.

2.Teachings in School, behaviour outside School:

• In school, a child is taught religious tolerance and compassion, but the same child outside the school may get teased for his religious affiliation.
• Nazia Erum, in her book Mothering a Muslim, based on systematic research in schools across several cities in India shows how Muslim children are teased by being called “terrorist” and “Pakistani”.
• Similarly, a Dalit child living a life on the fringes of his village is given to believe that all is well with school and society.
• Social experts like Murali Krishna and Govardhan Wankhede, in their autobiographies, poignantly present experiences of discrimination and humiliation they faced in their childhood both inside and outside school.
• Also there is pedagogic necessity to passively accept whatever is taught in schools. Prejudices become our lens, shaping the way we look at the world and others around us. As adults, we cling to them as they help us justify our misdeeds against others.

However, The National Curriculum Framework 2005 radically tried to shift the nature of schooling in India. Social science textbooks, particularly Social and Political Life, were outstanding in several ways. Instead of adopting an attitude of an ostrich they acknowledged inequity in society, brought in subaltern literature and voices, and accorded legitimacy to multiple world views.

The National Educational Policy 2020

The NEP 2020 is the first education policy of the 21st century and replaces the thirty-four-year-old National Policy on Education (NPE), 1986. 

• It is built on the foundational pillars of Access, Equity, Quality, Affordability and Accountability.
• This policy is aligned to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and aims to transform India into a vibrant knowledge society and global knowledge superpower.

Salient Features:

1.School Education:

• Ensuring Universal Access at all levels of school education.
• Early Childhood Care & Education with new Curricular and Pedagogical Structure
• Attaining Foundational Literacy and Numeracy.
• Reforms in school curricula and pedagogy.
• Multilingualism and the power of language.
• Equitable and Inclusive Education.
• Robust Teacher Recruitment and Career Path.
• School Governance.
• Standard-setting and Accreditation for School Education.

2. Higher Education

• Increase Gross Enrolment Ratio to 50 % by 2035.
• Holistic Multidisciplinary Education.
• Rationalised Institutional Architecture.
• Motivated, Energized, and Capable Faculty.
• Teacher Education.
• Mentoring Mission.
• Financial support for students.
• Open and Distance Learning.
• Online Education and Digital Education.
• Technology in education.
• Promotion of Indian languages.
• Professional Education.
• Adult Education.
• Financing Education.

Outcomes of NEP 2020:

• Universalization from ECCE to Secondary Education by 2030, aligning with SDG 4
• Attaining Foundational Learning & Numeracy Skills through National Mission by 2025
• 100% GER in Pre-School to Secondary Level by 2030
• Bring Back 2 Cr Out of School Children
• Teachers to be prepared for assessment reforms by 2023
• Inclusive & Equitable Education System by 2030
• Board Exams to test core concepts and application of knowledge
• Every Child will come out of School adept in at least one Skill
• Common Standards of Learning in Public & Private Schools

Way forward: Few measures to reduce stereotyping:

• Having Honest Conversations About Stereotype Threat, Honesty and openness are the keystones of change.
• Creating an Inclusive Environment for a child to develop fully.
• Exposing Students to a range of perspectives and teaching materials.
• Fostering a Growth mind-set in the Classroom.
• Putting kids into mixed-gender learning groups to encourage cross-gender friendships.
• Creating Fair Tests, presenting them as Fair and as Serving a Learning Purpose.
• Valuing Students' Individuality.
• Improving Cross-Group Interactions

Source: Indian Express  

Prelims question:

Q. With reference to the education policy in India, consider the following statements:

1. The need for a policy was first felt in 1964 when an MP Siddheshwar Prasad criticised the then government for lacking a vision and philosophy for education.
2. Parliament passed the first education policy in 1968.
3. The National Education Policy of 1986 was revised in 1992 when P V Narasimha Rao was Prime Minister.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(c) 1 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer: (d)