The National Education Policy (NEP), with its emphasis on skills and not just knowledge, is essential to create the new India of the 21st century, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Friday.
In the fifth edition of ‘ Pariksha pe Charcha’, a pre-exam interaction with students, teachers and parents, Mr. Modi said that a 20th century education and mindset could not be allowed to determine India’s development trajectory moving forward into the 21st century. “If we do not evolve with changing systems, then we will be left behind and regress,” he warned, in response to a query on how the new policy would empower students and society. The NEP encouraged flexibility in subjects and allowed students to follow their passion, as well as emphasised skill-based learning rather than theoretical knowledge only, he added.
According to the Education Ministry, over 12 lakh students, almost three lakh teachers and almost a lakh parents registered for creative writing competitions prior to the event, with some winners invited to participate directly and ask the Prime Minister questions in person or via an online interaction. Due to COVID-19, the last two editions of the event have been held online only.
