Core group constituted for implementation of NEP

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaMarch 19, 2021

Minister in-charge Education Lahkmen Rymbui on Friday said a Core Group have already been constituted for consultation and implementation of the National Education Policy (NEP), 2020. Replying to a query raised by North Shillong legislator Adelbert Nongrum in the Assembly, Rymbui said the Principal Secretary of the department is heading the committee to study the NEP. 

He said the first Education Policy for Meghalaya was finalized in the year 2018. The state Cabinet approved the Meghalaya State Education Policy (MSEP), 2018 on September 21, 2018. 

“It will be implemented simultaneously with the NEP, 2020 as its guiding principles are almost identical to the NEP, 2020,” Rymbui said. 

Stating that the policy also stresses on vocational training for the youth, the minister said under the vision and mission statement of the MSEP, section 1.2.9 states that vocational education and entrepreneurship will be strengthened to empower youth to take advantage of economic opportunities and to enhance their ability to contribute to social and commercial activity and wider society. 

He added the broad goals of MSEP too under Section 2.4 ensures equitable access from primary to tertiary, Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and promote lifelong learning. 

Rymbui said the vocational education in the state was implemented in the year 2017 under the Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) and funded by the Ministry of Education in all the 11 districts. 

Altogether there are 25 existing government schools availing this scheme and 30 new schools were approved and will be implemented in this academic session 2021-22. 

The vocation sector includes IT/ITES, tourism, electronics, beauty&wellness, agriculture, healthcare and multi-skilling. 

The scheme of studies and course are being collaborated with vocational partners sch as Orion, Edutech, IIM Ltd, LAQSH, Empower Pragiti and SIBIN. 

All these partners are empanelled by the National Skill Development Council (NSDC) and the Course being developed by the Pandit Sunderlal Sharma Central Institute of Vocational Education (PSSCIVE) and NCERT, New Delhi. 

In the state, the course has been duly recognized by MBOSE as an additional subject in secondary section and elective subject in the higher secondary. 

Altogether, there are 45 vocational trainers, 2,549 students in the existing 25 government schools. The annaul work plan 2021-22 of the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan – Meghalaya, shall intensify the coverage of vocational education towards aided schools as well in a phased manner, the minister stated.