Academic experts deliberate on draft new education policy, give suggestions

New Delhi: Academic experts on Friday suggested that the government should lay emphasis on setting up national academies for teachers' training, preventing the spread of coaching centre culture and shifting the focus from scoring high marks to "learning".

The advice came as the experts, from various universities and other spheres, deliberated on the draft of the New Education Policy prepared by the HRD Ministry. The government has put it in the public domain and sought feedback and suggestions.

"There are set cadres for every profession but there is none for teachers. Similarly, there are no national academies for imparting training to teachers. If we are not investing in this area, how can we expect to reap benefits," R K Khandal, former V-C of Uttar Pradesh Technical University, said.

Nupur Sharma, V-C, Delhi Women Technical university, spoke on the growing culture of coaching institutes and its adverse effects.

"Coaching centres today have become shops, paving way for a new industry, where students continue to suffer due to lack of a focused approach," Sharma said.

N K Goyal, President of CMAI Association of India Communication and Infrastructure, said, "There is tremendous pressure on students to score high marks rather than learn. This should be changed. Similarly, the process of normalising the grades also need a revamping."

A five-member committee headed by former Cabinet Secretary TSR Subramanium formulated the new education policy and submitted it to the HRD ministry in May.