Steering education towards transformation

In 2014, The NDA government initiated the dialog on NEP under MHRD Minister Smt. Smirti Irani. Nationwide extensive consultations with various stakeholders were undertaken. The Founder of Lotus Learning Systems Society and Chairperson & Managing Director, Kovida Ltd. Hyderabad, K. Renuka Raju, a seasoned academician has been the first in India to hold and lead unique consultations between higher and school education private managements on select NEP themes. This is historic initiative; as a norm the school education system does not engage with higher education.

Key NEP Inputs

Renuka Raju has been working relentlessly towards transformation for 21st century education and skills. She relates, "We gave our suggestions that included an integrated, life cycle approach to education service delivery. Kovida Ltd's research and program development is to see how students can actually transition from secondary school to higher / tertiary education seamlessly."

"The 5+3+3+4: Foundation, Preparatory, Middle and Secondary stages of school education are the key to building professionalism and quality. This will be the basis for developing teacher training programs for each of these levels separately, leading towards developing National Teaching Standards (NTS). These stages are important in measuring student achievement; rather than the current inhumane way of assessing them after they reach class10. Stage wise consolidation of learning helps in understanding students' strengths and weaknesses, paving the way for learning outcomes improvement."

As the Correspondent of a group of schools, she mentions how challenging it can get to find quality principals and teachers; leave alone the sector based teachers or trainers. "Parents and students are misguided through unscrupulous school operators and media. Though there are wrongs in the Indian education system: there are also a lot of things that are good. Our goal must be to provide quality and affordable education. I am glad that the NEP is concentrating on quality issues."

Quality Indicators

Raising Student Achievement form 35% - 50%

Renuka Raju, as the head of a group of education institutions has advocated increasing the examination pass mark from 35% to 50%. "When we talk about increasing the pass percentage there will be a lot of resistance. The common argument would be about how rural schools cannot keep up. I think that having low benchmarks and expecting to create world class leaders or develop a five trillion-dollar economy doesn't add up."

"It took 7 years for us to increase the pass percentage in Lotus National Schools. A large systemic change calls for highly calibrated processes and action plans. You need a battery of good teaching, learning and assessment resources in leading such transformational changes. Lotus National School deployed Reading Comprehension Assessment (RCA) and Deeper Learning intervention for Math concepts to reduce rote learning method. The regulators must at least allow a few institutions to adopt the voluntary higher standards and pave a path for others to follow."

Two Levels of Math Assessment

There was a time when student had a choice of composite and general math. Since the 1980s, however, Math is being taught and learnt as one unified standard. "There is a problem in the single Math standard; it places undue stress on students irrespective of their interest or aptitude. Most often students get pushed into coaching classes for entry into professional courses; though 75% may not have the competencies for higher / professional education. The Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE) has initiated Math assessment at 2 levels: Basic and Standard from 2020. The students who opt for Standard Math could get into Engineering or pure sciences; those who take Basic Math could get into agricultural sciences, marketing, tourism, animation, retail etc. Having different Math assessment levels will free the students to focus on subject of student choice; like English, physical education etc. Such options must be given to Indian students, aligning with international best practice. Basic and Standard Math will open scope for vast range of qualification pathways."

School – Higher Education Bridge: CBSE +2 Courses

Internationally, MBA degrees are being aligned to sectors, such as Broadcast Management, Retail Management, Power Production and Distribution Management, Fashion and Design Management, Film Production Management, Real Estate Management etc. This innovation will become a norm in the coming years. The CBSE is taking a positive step in this direction by introducing sector oriented skill subjects at the +2 level.

Renuka Raju elaborates, "Most of our Engineering graduates are unemployed or underemployed, as the school education is sending weak feeder into higher education. The university education calls for at least 10 years of commitment towards education and research. In the case of Medicine, one must willingly invest in 15 years of education. Or instead, one can decide to get trained in vocational courses for employment. The draft NEP 2019 addresses the seamless integration of general and vocation education."

NEP Launch Pad: The District Education Office (DEO)

Renuka Raju throws light on the much-ignored topic of the state of DEO, which she considers crucial, once the NEP is announced. "Our DEO establishment dates back to the British era. It is only by bringing change at District and Mandal levels that one can ensure a pan-India transformation. The current structure of DEO does not support transformation changes that are required for 21st Century education and skills."

People will resist change, she says. "The speed and magnitude of transformation in education and skills delivery is impacted by several factors, including the world of IT applications. We should learn to ride the new wave of transformation or else get ready to be swept away by it. The youngsters have to deal with advancements in technology and processes, robotics, mechanization, Artificial Intelligence (AI) forces coming into daily life. We must understand the changes rather than be intrigued."

Field practitioners – academicians like Renuka Raju are a new breed of educationists on the rise in Hyderabad and their ideas could lead the path for quality education and skills.