NEP Assignment submission

National Education Policy: Implication on the Discipline (Psychology)

 

National education policy has brought in "path breaking reforms" to the Indian education system. It is based on the "foundational pillars of access, equity, quality, affordability and accountability". The policy focus on creating world class multidisciplinary higher education institution across India. The emphasis of the policy on these aspects are highly significant. It has also promoted liberal arts education and promised to bring back humanities and social science back to prominence (Indian cultural forum, 2019).

NEP draft has given a lot of importance to the field of psychology by focusing on wellbeing of students. The policy has emphasised the role of counsellors and social workers in mental health of the students. Section P2.16 and P20.3 has described that every school should have a counsellor and social worker to work with students, parents and teachers to ensure student retention, mental health and career guidance (MHRD Government of India, 2019).  

The role of counsellors and social workers has been elaborated in section P3.8 (MHRD Government of India, 2019). This is elaborated in the policy as following; Mental health professionals (Counsellors and Social workers) selected to the school complex will vigorously meet Students and their parents to know why they are not able to attend the classes. Both counsellor and social worker will work in collaboration. This will ensure class attendance and enrolment. They also ensure that students attend remedial programmes such as NTP and RIAP or alternative learning programmes in consultation with teacher. Social workers will also assistance in identifying and managing CWSN to guarantee that they are completely involved with the education system (MHRD Government of India, 2019). 

The policy looks at lack of counsellors and social workers in current education system has lack of appropriate human resource for child's effective learning. Other sections (P5.1.3, P6.6.2 and P8.6.7) has also points out for the need of counsellors and social workers in school environment. New education policy is trying bring mental health professionals into school complexes and thereby creating cultural shift in learning of students (MHRD Government of India, 2019).

NEP has emphasised the importance of mental health of students in their effective learning (7.2.4). It throws light in the area of stress, bipolar disorders, adolescence problems so on and emphasising counsellors and social workers role in effective management. Thus, the policy will open the potential scope for psychological research in this area. This will also provide wider career opportunities for psychologist and researchers in the field (MHRD Government of India, 2019).

Psychology as a discipline is gaining enormous importance in all walks of life. This is reflected in the current policy (NEP) as well. Psychology as a subject can be applied to our day-to-day life. Therefore, psychology has become an interesting and stimulating subject. It gives a deeper understanding of the human mind, brain and behaviour. Psychology as a subject of study helps students to develop ability to explore and evaluate. In this line, it enhances the research ability of students. Studying psychology doesn't restrict one to a career in psychology but it offers career opportunities in different arenas. Thus, psychology as a subject will open wider scope for higher education in psychology.    

However, there are some key issues unaddressed in National education policy (2019) that can influence the scope of psychology. One of the important aspects is students with disabilities. Policy talks about access and inclusion but does not address structural limitations such as ramps and handrails for students and teachers with disability. These aspects need to be looked into before implementation.

Another important aspect is wellness of each individual within the education system. This area is kind of oversimplified in the policy. We are aware that any individual to operate at their best need to have a level of wellbeing. This will directly influence the quality of the whole system. Psychological awareness is essential in developing a policy which has tremendous influence on human life. Therefore, psychologist have a major role in being part of the policy making.    

Though NEP tries to bring in amazing cultural shift in Indian education system. The policy fails to acknowledge the problems in current education system to incorporate these structural changes. The policy looks more idealistic then realistic in current scenario. Discussions and debates on the NEP draft can address some of the problems and come up with more realistic approach to Indian education system. At the same time, it is important to retain the foundational pillars of NEP draft (access, equity, quality, affordability and accountability).

References

 

Indian cultural forum. (2019, June 25). Draft National Education Policy 2019 - Critique: Indian cultural forum. Retrieved from Indian cultural forum web site: https://indianculturalforum.in/2019/06/25/draft-national-education-policy-2019-critique/

MHRD Government of India. (2019, August 13). National education policy 2019:. Retrieved from MHRD Government of India: https://mhrd.gov.in/sites/upload_files/mhrd/files/Draft_NEP_2019_EN_Revised.pdf