Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced that the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, implemented by the previous BJP-led government, will be withdrawn from the state’s higher education institutions starting next academic year.
Continuation for Current Academic Year
Siddaramaiah clarified that the NEP will continue to be in effect for the current academic year to avoid disrupting students’ education in the middle of the session. He cited the lack of preparation time due to the timing of election results and government formation.
Opposition and Criticisms
The Chief Minister emphasised that a number of parties, including parents, lecturers, teachers, and students, were opposed to the NEP. He criticized the previous BJP regime for implementing the NEP in Karnataka ahead of other states, accusing them of sacrificing students’ interests.
State’s Vision and New Education Policy
Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar stated that the state government intends to formulate a new education policy aligned with its vision. The government contends that the NEP encroaches upon the state’s prerogatives and violates its rights in the education domain.
Congress’ Stance and Election Promise
Karnataka became the first state to adopt the NEP for higher education in August 2021. However, while in opposition, Congress criticized the move and labeled the NEP as the “Nagpur Education Policy,” a reference to the RSS, the ideological source of the BJP. The Congress had promised to replace the NEP with a State Education Policy (SEP) in its election manifesto.
Background on NEP
The NEP was introduced by the Union government on July 29, 2020, with the aim of modernizing India’s education system while retaining its cultural roots. It replaced the previous education policy that had been in place since 1986, proposing significant changes across all levels of education.
BJP’s Response
There was no immediate reaction from the BJP regarding the decision to scrap the NEP from the next academic year. Former Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, a senior BJP leader, previously defended the NEP’s implementation, stating that it had undergone consultations with all states and involved a committee and task force before being put into practice.
