15 June 2024 : Indian Express Editorial Analysis

1. Uneducating our young

(Source: Indian Express; Section: The Ideas Page; Page: 09)

Topic: GS2 – Social Justice – Education

Context:

The analysis critiques the National Education Policy (NEP) in India, focusing on three main issues: Structural Problems: The NEP’s credit-based system aims for standardization and mobility but undermines traditional focused learning environments. Content Dilution: The reduction in syllabus content, such as in the teaching of literature, hampers comprehensive understanding and academic depth. Assessment Overload: The excessive number of exams and internal assessments burdens both students and educators, detracting from effective learning and teaching.

The Structural Problem of NEP:

• The first major issue with the National Education Policy (NEP) is its structural framework. The credit-based eight-semester format aims to create a standardized, interoperable, and mobility-based higher education ecosystem, allowing students to theoretically transfer their credits anywhere.
• However, education is fundamentally about the process of reception and reciprocation—learning, absorbing, evaluating, and responding critically. From a young age, students are conditioned to sit down and study in a steady manner, a crucial aspect for meaningful academic work.
• The traditional ‘gurukuls’ of the past provided such an environment, fostering a steady and focused learning atmosphere. In contrast, the NEP’s approach aligns more with the American view of education as a means to survive in the marketplace, often with a significant financial burden attached.

Content Dilution:

• The credit-based system has led to a significant dilution of syllabi across all disciplines. The structure determines the content, rather than content shaping the structure, as it ideally should be.
• For instance, students were previously taught five units per paper, but under the NEP, they are now taught only three. Moreover, the chapters have often been truncated.
• A notable example is Walt Whitman’s poem “Passage to India,” which originally had 255 lines spread across 13 sections but is now reduced to just 68 lines across four sections in the NEP syllabus.
• This reduction compromises the philosophical depth of the poem, which is essential for a comprehensive understanding.
• Such truncation in teaching materials undermines the richness of the subject matter, depriving students of a holistic educational experience.

Overburdened Assessment System:

• Another significant problem with the NEP is the excessive bureaucratic burden it places on students and educators. Students are required to take seven to eight exams per semester, along with internal assessments for each subject, including assignments and class tests.
• Additionally, marks for attendance and continuous assessment classes contribute to the overall bureaucratic load. This system is not equipped to handle such a heavy administrative burden, making it challenging for educators to deliver quality education in the classroom.
• Earlier, practical exams were mandated even for non-core Arts subjects, requiring students to be present for full-day practical examinations.
• Fortunately, some universities, like the University of Delhi, have recognized the impracticality of these requirements and have made amendments.
• However, constant changes in rules, processes, and content have become so frequent that educators have become accustomed to this relentless cycle of adjustments.

The Core Purpose of Higher Education:

• The overarching issue with the NEP is its failure to address the true purpose of higher education, which is to develop the ability to engage in critical thinking within one’s chosen field of inquiry and expertise.
• The current system dilutes core content and breadth of the subject chosen for study by an honours student, leading to a lowering of standards in domain-centric knowledge dispensation and absorption.
• Stakeholders within the university system largely disapprove of NEP 2020. There is ongoing speculation that many of the peripheral courses currently prescribed as part of the curriculum might be eliminated.
• However, the crucial question remains: will there be a meaningful effort to define the true purpose of higher education? Until this question is addressed, even a revised NEP will fail to meet the future demands of academia.
• The future will belong to those who produce knowledge, not merely to those who acquire the tools to consume knowledge.
• Hence, it is imperative to design universities that facilitate students in becoming producers of knowledge, even within the smallest of orbits.

What is National Education Policy 2020?

The National Education Policy 2020 seeks to tackle the evolving development needs of India. It calls for a comprehensive overhaul of the education system, including its regulations and management, to establish a modern system that aligns with 21st-century educational goals, including Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG4), while respecting India’s cultural heritage and values. It replaces the thirty-four year old National Policy on Education, 1986, modified in 1992 (NPE 1986/92). Salient Features: Universal Access: NEP 2020 focuses on universal access to school education, including pre-school to secondary levels. Early Childhood Education: The 10+2 structure will shift to a 5+3+3+4 system, bringing 3-6-year-olds under school curriculum, with a focus on Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE). Multilingualism: Mother tongue or regional language will be the medium of instruction till Grade 5, with options for Sanskrit and other languages. Inclusive Education: Special emphasis on Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGs), support for children with disabilities, and establishment of “Bal Bhavans. “Elimination of Barriers: The policy promotes a seamless education system with no rigid distinctions between arts and sciences, curricular and extracurricular activities, and vocational and academic streams. GER Enhancement: Aim to increase Gross Enrolment Ratio from 26.3% to 50% by 2035, adding 3.5 crore new seats. Research Focus: Creation of National Research Foundation to boost research culture and capacity. Language Preservation: Support for Indian languages, including an Institute of Translation and Interpretation (IITI) and strengthening language departments. Internationalization: Facilitation of international collaborations and entry of top-ranked foreign universities. Funding: Joint efforts to increase public investment in education to 6% of GDP. PARAKH Assessment Center: The establishment of PARAKH (Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development) as a national assessment center signifies a significant step towards competency-based and holistic assessment in education. Gender Inclusion Fund: The policy introduces a Gender Inclusion Fund, emphasizing the importance of gender equality in education and supporting initiatives to empower disadvantaged groups. Special Education Zones: Special Education Zones are envisioned to address the specific needs of disadvantaged regions and groups, furthering the policy’s commitment to equitable access to quality education for all.

PYQ: National Education Policy 2020 is in conformity with the Sustainable Development Goal-4 (2030). It intends to restructure and reorient education system in India. Critically examine the statement. (250 words/15m) (UPSC CSE (M) GS-2 2020)

Practice Question:  Critically analyze the impact of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 on higher education in India, focusing on its structural framework, content dilution, and assessment system. How does the NEP address or fail to address the core purpose of higher education in fostering critical thinking and domain expertise among students? Discuss with examples. (250 words/15 m)

2. The relevance challenge

(Source: Indian Express; Section: The Ideas Page; Page: 09)

Topic: GS2 – International Relations

Context:

The G7 summit in Puglia, Italy, saw leaders from the US, Germany, Canada, France, Japan, the UK, and Italy announce a $50 billion support package for Ukraine. However, many G7 leaders face political instability at home. The G7’s influence has waned compared to the more globally representative G20. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended, focusing on strengthening bilateral ties with Italy and promoting issues relevant to the Global South. The G7’s future relevance depends on addressing global concerns like climate change, energy, and regional cooperation.

The G7 Summit and Its Major Announcement:

• The Group of Seven (G7) countries recently held their summit in Puglia, Italy, where they made a significant announcement on the first day. Leaders from the US, Germany, Canada, France, Japan, the UK, and Italy declared a deal to use profits from frozen Russian Central Bank assets to support Ukraine with $46 billion.
• This move, part of the “Extraordinary Revenue Acceleration (ERA) Loans for Ukraine,” aims to provide approximately $50 billion in additional funding by the year’s end.
• Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, emphasized the strong message this sends to Putin, asserting that it is Russia, not European taxpayers, who will bear the cost of the damage in Ukraine.

Political Instability Among G7 Leaders:

• Despite the bold announcements, many G7 leaders face political instability at home.
• US President Joe Biden is contending with a challenging re-election campaign, with Donald Trump potentially returning to the White House.
• UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak’s Conservative Party is likely to face significant losses in the upcoming July elections.
• Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is unpopular within his party, and European leaders like France’s Emmanuel Macron and Germany’s Olaf Scholz are also struggling.
• Macron faces snap parliamentary elections, and Scholz’s popularity has hit an all-time low.
• The only strong leader currently is Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, whose right-wing party made significant gains in the recent EU elections.

Declining Relevance of the G7:

• The G7, originally a powerful group controlling nearly 60% of the world’s GDP, has seen its influence wane.
• The emergence of the G20 (now G21 with the inclusion of the African Union) has overshadowed the G7, as the G21 represents a broader global economy with 80% of the world’s economic control.
• The G7’s relevance is further questioned due to its nature as a club of Western powers, unlike the more globally representative G21.
• Additionally, the creation of various other minilateral groups like BRICS, SCO, and AUKUS highlights the crowded and competitive landscape of international cooperation.

India’s Role and Strategic Interests:

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended the G7 summit’s Outreach segment, focusing on strengthening bilateral relations with Italy rather than the G7 agenda.
• Modi highlighted the importance of consolidating the strategic partnership between India and Italy and enhancing cooperation in the Indo-Pacific and Mediterranean regions.
• India’s approach at the G7 or any minilateral forum emphasizes aligning these agendas with the outcomes of the G20 summit it presided over.
• India aims to push issues relevant to the Global South, such as climate change, energy transition, artificial intelligence, and regional cooperation.

Future of the G7:

• For the G7 to remain relevant, it must address issues that resonate globally, particularly those championed by emerging economies like India.
• Demonstrating commitment to critical global issues, including those affecting the Global South, will be essential for the G7 to maintain its significance in an evolving international landscape.
• The focus on artificial intelligence, energy, and regional stability, as emphasized by India, could be pivotal areas for the G7 to enhance its global impact and cooperation.

Significance of G7 for India

As one of the world’s largest economies and a major player in international trade and investment, India has an interest in engaging with the G7 to promote its economic and strategic interests. Some of the ways in which the G7 is significant for India are, Economic cooperation: The G7 countries are major trading partners for India, and closer economic cooperation could help India to expand its markets and improve its economic growth. Technology transfer: India can benefit from the G7’s technological advancements, particularly in the areas of renewable energy, artificial intelligence, and digital technology. Climate change: The G7 countries have significant influence over global climate policy, and closer cooperation with them could help India to reduce its emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change. Example: India attended the G7 summit in 2019 as a “Goodwill Partner”, and the Prime Minister participated in the Sessions on ‘Climate, Biodiversity and Oceans’ and ‘Digital Transformation’ International relations: As India seeks to play a greater role in international affairs, closer engagement with the G7 could help it to promote its strategic interests and enhance its global standing. Development assistance: The G7 countries are major donors of development assistance, and their policies and funding decisions can impact India’s development agenda. Example: The G7’s support for global education initiatives has benefited India.

Practice Question:  Evaluate the current relevance and challenges facing the G7 in the context of global economic and political shifts. How does the G7 compare with the G20 in terms of representation and influence? Discuss the role of emerging economies, with specific reference to India’s strategic interests and contributions at the recent G7 summit. (250 words/15 m)