Image Courtesy : www.pmindia.gov.in

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the nation today to mark the new National Education Policy's 1st anniversary. This new and first education policy of the 21st century has replaced the National Policy on Education (NPE) drafted in 1986.

Under the scheme, the Govt has prioritized as well as encouraged Online/ Digital Education. During the last year, the Govt launched various initiatives to help students, parents and teachers in COVID times so that the education can continue without any hindrance. Some of these initiatives are mentioned below:

PM eVidya Program: Under the program, the Govt, through online, TV and community radio, continued the education, even during the hard corona times.

DIKSHA: Inspired by 'One Nation, One Platform, the govt provided 1,85,000 e-content in 32 languages.

Under the revised guidelines issued by the UGC, the online programs have been increased from 37 to 216 and the institutions have been increased from 07 to 41.

SWAYAM: At this platform, a total of 814 courses have been available by the Govt. Last year, 54 lakh students enrolled under the platform. This platform benefitted the foreign students as well.

Here's how #NEP2020 is bridging learning gaps and removing the language barrier. Take a look! #TransformingEducationhttps://t.co/Q1QqcKb2P9 pic.twitter.com/CsZffqiIlR

— MyGovIndia (@mygovindia) July 29, 2021

PM Modi addressed students, teachers, policymakers & academicians to launch NEP related key initiatives which are mentioned below:

NETF (National Educational Technology Forum): The aim of the NETF is to facilitate the decision making process on the technology's induction, deployment, and use by providing the education institutions, Central and State governments, and other stakeholders, the latest research and knowledge along with the opportunity to consult and share best practices.

Reservation: The govt is providing 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Section and 27% reservation for OBCs in the All India Quota Scheme for UG and PG Medical/ Dental courses (MBBS/ MD/ MS/ Diploma/ BDS/ MDS) from the current academic session 2021-22 onwards.

Our Government has taken a landmark decision for providing 27% reservation for OBCs and 10% reservation for Economically Weaker Section in the All India Quota Scheme for undergraduate and postgraduate medical/dental courses from the current academic year. https://t.co/gv2EygCZ7N

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 29, 2021

Vidya Pravesh: PM has also launched a 3-month play based school preparation module for Grade 1 students.

SAFAL (Structured Assessment For Analyzing Learning Levels): A competency based assessment framework has also been launched by PM for CBSE schools' Grade 3, Grade 5 and Grade 8.

NISHTHA 2.0: This initiative has been launched to provide training to our teachers. 24 lakh elementary school teachers have already been trained under the program.

PM Modi also informed that 14 engineering colleges across 8 states will be starting Engineering studies in 5 Indian languages i.e. Hindi, Marathi, Tamil, Telugu, and Bangla. A translation tool has also been developed to translate engineering programmes into 11 Indian languages.

PM also informed that the Indian Sign Language, for the first time, has been granted the language subject status. This will allow students to read and learn it as a language also.