Odisha Holds Key Meeting on National Education Policy-2020 Implementation

Bhubaneswar: A significant meeting and workshop regarding the implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in Odisha’s higher education system took place on Tuesday at the Lok Seva Bhavan. The event, chaired by Minister of Higher Education, Sports and Youth Services, Odia Language, Literature and Culture, Suryabanshi Suraj, focused on preparing the state for the policy’s rollout.

Key officials, including Chief Secretary Manoj Ahuja, Development Commissioner cum Additional Chief Secretary Anu Garg, and members of the Odisha State Higher Education Council, along with vice-chancellors of all public universities in the state, participated in the meeting.

At the outset, Arvind Kumar Agarwal, Commissioner cum Secretary of Higher Education, presented the current status of various courses, scholarships, and schemes managed by the department. He highlighted the need for state government approval for NEP 2020 implementation and discussed potential challenges and solutions. Agarwal also presented a roadmap and medium- to long-term action plans for integrating NEP 2020 into Odisha’s higher education system.

Vice-chancellors from leading universities like Utkal University, Ravenshaw University, Ramadevi Women’s University, and others shared their perspectives and preparedness for implementing NEP 2020. They offered suggestions on how to integrate the policy effectively and ensure smooth execution.

Minister Suraj praised the efforts made by universities in preparing for NEP 2020. He emphasized the policy’s potential to address current deficiencies in the education system and expressed optimism about its implementation within the next one to three weeks following high-level discussions. The minister stressed the importance of achieving 100% implementation in Odisha, with a phased approach to resolving any challenges that arise.

The National Education Policy 2020, which focuses on flexibility and a multi-sectoral approach, aims to simplify the educational system by allowing students to choose diverse subjects. It promotes interdisciplinary learning, digital literacy, problem-solving skills, and workplace readiness. The policy encourages entrepreneurship and provides students with the freedom to tailor their education to their goals.

NEP 2020 also introduces a four-year undergraduate degree (Hons) and a four-year UG degree (Hons with research), emphasizing industry collaboration to ensure curriculum relevance. Additionally, it supports lifelong learning with flexible entry and exit points, empowering students to return to education at any point in their careers.