National Education Policies 1968 and 1986
So far, two National Education Policies have been in force in India. Third one is the recent draft.
National Education Policy, 1968
First such policy had come in 1968 under Indira Gandhi government. Prior to this policy, a resolution in Lok Sabha was moved in 1964 by Congress MP Siddheshwar Prasad, who criticized the government for not paying enough attention to education and centre lacked a uniform vision and definite philosophy for education. The government of the day agreed that there should be a national and coordinated policy towards education. The government then set up a 17 member Education Commission under UGC chairperson DS Kothari {Kothari Commission}. On the basis of recommendations of Kothari Commission, the first National Education Policy was released in 1968. This policy had called for a National School System, which meant that all students, irrespective of caste, creed and sex would have access to education of a comparable quality up to a given level. Further, it envisaged a common educational structure {10+2+3} which was accepted across the country and most of us have studied under that system. It also advocated use of mother tongue as medium of teaching in early school years. Another major call was strengthening the research in the universities.
Performance of NEP-1968
The 1968 policy or NEP-I was not very successful. There were several reasons for this. Firstly, at that time, a proper programme of action was not brought out. Secondly, there was a shortage of funds, India’s economy was in tatters. Thirdly, at that time, Education was in state list, so role of centre was little on how the states would implement this scheme. Despite this, the key legacies of this policy include our current 10+2+3 system of education; and three language formula, which is followed by most schools. Science and Math were now getting more priority.
National Education Policy, 1986
The 1986 policy was issued during tenure of Rajiv Gandhi as Prime Minister and it was updated in 1992 when PV Narsimha Rao was prime minister. This policy focussed on modernization and role of IT in education. More attention was paid on restructuring the teacher education, early childhood care, women’s empowerment and adult literacy. It also accepted autonomy of universities and colleges, something which was resisted in past.
Performance of NEP-1986
In comparison to the 1968 policy, the 1986 policy performed better. There were several reasons to this. Firstly, this policy came after 42nd amendment in 1976. In this amendment, five subjects were transferred from State to Concurrent List including Education, Forests, Weights & Measures, Protection of Wild Animals and Birds; and Administration of Justice. Secondly, now centre was able to accept wider responsibility and introduced a number of programmes in line with this policy. Most of our classic government schemes such as Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Mid Day Meal Scheme, Navodaya Vidyalayas (NVS schools), Kendriya Vidyalayas (KV schools) and use of IT in education were started under the NEP of 1986.
