Chandrakant Patil, the Minister of Higher and Technical Education in Maharashtra, reiterated the state’s unwavering dedication to implementing the National Education Policy (NEP) during a national conference. He emphasized that all colleges in the state are mandated to align their curricula with the NEP by June 2024.
Speaking at the inauguration of the two-day conference titled ‘Role and Responsibilities of All Stakeholders in Higher Education under the National Education Policy – 2020,’ hosted at the Nayak Education and Development Center in Kothrud, Patil emphasized the active implementation of the NEP in the state. The event, which concluded on Monday, provided a platform for comprehensive discussions on the pivotal roles and responsibilities of stakeholders in higher education within the framework of the NEP.
This significant conference, organized in collaboration with Savitribai Phule Pune University, Shivaji University Kolhapur, and Punyashlok Ahilya Devi Holkar Solapur University, commemorated the 116th birth anniversary of the renowned educationist JP Nayak. His educational legacy notably involves advocating for an interdisciplinary approach to learning, particularly exemplified at Shri Mouni Vidyapeeth, which he founded in Gargoti Kolhapur.
The conference boasted the presence of prominent figures in the field of education, including Savitribai Phule Pune University Vice-Chancellor Prof Dr Suresh Gosavi, former Vice-Chancellor and Chairman of the Maharashtra State Steering Committee on National Education Policy Prof Nitin Karamalkar, Chairman of the Indian Institute of Education Prof Arun Adsul, and various other distinguished attendees.
In his address, Minister Chandrakant Patil underscored Maharashtra’s pioneering role in NEP implementation across the nation. He stated, “The state government has been proactive in establishing committees and conducting meetings to facilitate the rollout of the NEP. Currently, the NEP is being implemented in 1,500 post-graduate education institutes, universities, and autonomous higher education institutions, with plans for all remaining colleges to follow suit by June 2024. The primary objectives of the NEP include providing education in the mother tongue, preserving Indian cultural heritage, imparting practical skills, and nurturing an intelligent generation capable of global leadership.”
The conference served as a vital platform for higher education institutions to deliberate on the challenges, responsibilities, experiences, and policies associated with NEP implementation.