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Lok Sabha Election 2019: No grace marks for BJP, Congress

Manifestos of both ruling & opposition parties fall short of giving education sector that much-wanted extra push

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The ruling BJP as well as the principal Opposition, the Congress, have tried to bring in all key issues related to secondary and higher education in their manifestos for ongoing Lok Sabha elections. While the BJP aims at tackling perennial problem of unskilled teachers, lack of seats in premier institutions, etc, Congress promises to restore the autonomy of institutions, streamline competitive examination system after class XII, among others. 

Surprisingly, while the BJP, which promised six per cent of GDP for education in 2014 is silent on any such this time around, Congress has vowed to bring it to six per cent from the existing three. The BJP is also tight-lipped on the revival of the much-touted National Education Policy (NEP) which was the highlight of its 2014 manifesto. DNA takes a low-down on how much the BJP delivered on its 2014 promises, even while getting into the promises made by the rival parties for next five years.

What Sankalp Patra offers

BJP's new promises, while embellishing it with impressive sounding phrases like identified learning outcomes, capacity building, does not dwell on any concrete plan or policy measures. The goals enlisted under the new manifesto hint at the government's intent to work for the betterment of education at secondary and higher education but does not talk about the substance or how these objectives will be achieved. The BJP plans to establish teachers' training institute, providing four-year integrated courses to improve standards and quality of teachers in the country. "We will establish National Institutes of Teachers' training to provide four-year integrated courses that would set the standards for quality teachers in our schools. We will also motivate states to replicate this model," reads the manifesto. The UGC has already proposed a similar month-long training for freshers employed with colleges and universities.

Educationists see it as a positive step to prepare teachers for classroom teaching, something school and college teachers lack when they embark upon their career. "Most of the young recruits come fresh out of B.Ed colleges (for schools) or after clearing National Eligibility Examination (for higher education institutions). If such an institute indeed becomes a reality, it will improve the way teachers taught, chaffing out those who take up teaching as the last resort," says Anu Kumar, principal of a private school in Gurugram.

Another highlight is Prime Minister Innovative Learning Programme, aimed at maximising the potential of talented children by providing them with resources. "This would instil a culture of lateral thinking and innovation among them," the manifesto states. The ruling party also has on agenda an Arts, Culture and Music University, besides a state-of-the-art Hospitality and Tourism University and a Police University. It will also encourage states to come up with similar institutions.

"A dedicated focus on job skills with a combination of soft skills needs to be inculcated in syllabuses at universities and colleges so as to make candidates employable. Life skills should be made mandatory as a part of the learning process during his/her period at a University. Courses which are a blend of skills and regular learning should be introduced and promoted across industries and made mandatory in universities," says Kanishk Duggal, Chief Operating Officer, Institute of Clinical Research India (ICRI). He adds, "Industries of tomorrow such as Logistics, Aviation & Healthcare should be promoted in collaboration with dedicated colleges and universities creating a wealth of specialised workforce which will shape future India."

Cong's word on deliverance

The party has taken on BJP with GDP percentage for education, promising to raise it to the "ideal" 6 per cent from the existing 3 per cent. The manifesto also promises to increase the Gross Enrollment Ratio (GER) in Higher Education from the current 25.8 to at least 40 in a period of 5 years.

It will streamline competitive exams after class XII, has plans to do away with the NEET examination and incorporate a state-level examination of an equivalent standard. Colleges have been promised increased funds and grants as another deliverable by Congress, besides expanding the education loan programme. The goal is to make it more efficient, accessible and smooth for students and waiver of outstanding interest dues on old education loans as of March 31, 2019. The party will also restore autonomy in campuses, and also restore the 200-point roster system in colleges. It will also pass a Students Rights Bill to codify the rights and obligations of students in colleges and universities.

2014 hits and misses

The most famous point of last time's manifesto – National Education Policy (NEP) – has been the biggest miss for the Modi government. The BJP had promised to bring significant changes in the field of education, riding on the NEP which has only missed deadlines and is yet to see the light of the day. This key reform was supposed to change the way education is disseminated from the basic primary level up to higher education. Two panels later, it is still in limbo with MHRD minister Prakash Javadekar stating it will now be implemented only after elections.

Among the achievements, the government has strengthened the higher education infrastructure in the past five years, having established seven IITs, seven IIMs, two NITs and three central universities have been added. A Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA) has also been set up to get funds from the market for improvement in infrastructure in top institutions. However, the government has not been able to fill the 6,141 vacant teaching posts in 40 central varsities and the 92,275 public schools still running with only one teacher.

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