The National Education Policy promises a complete overhaul of Indian education, from preschool to PhD. The vision is ambitious — and necessary. But the road from policy to practice is long.
We must ensure that the early childhood care and education component receives adequate funding and attention. The foundational years determine cognitive development, and quality preschool can transform lifetime outcomes.
The multidisciplinary approach in higher education is welcome, but it requires complete restructuring of universities, faculty training, and assessment methods. Liberal arts colleges, which closed in the 1980s, need to be revived.
Most importantly, we must address the digital divide. NEP envisions extensive use of technology, but rural India still lacks reliable internet. Without bridging this gap, NEP risks deepening educational inequality.