Former edu min opposes NEP, says it promotes privatization of education sector

Shivamogga: Former Karnataka Education Minister and state Congress spokesperson Kimmane Ratnakar opposing implementation of the New Education Policy (NEP) in the state said that it would promote the privatization of the education sector on a large scale.

Addressing presspersons in Shivamogga, Ratnakar said the government had not discussed the impacts of the NEP with experts. Nor was it debated in the legislature.

He further added that their party is vehemently opposing the new education policy, which aims to bring a paradigm shift in the education system but not tabled for discussion.

“This is a serious matter related to every citizen in the country,” he said.

“It should have been debated in the Parliament and respective state Assembly. But the BJP pushed it without listening to any stakeholder’s opinions,” he further said.

“There is a threat of private players taking over the education sector. The poor people will lose opportunities,” Ratnakar added.

NEP was launced on July 29, 2020 by the Central government. On its first anniversary last month, Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched SAFAL (Structured Assessment For Analysing Learning), a competency-based assessment for grades 3, 5, and 8 introduced by the Central Board of Secondary Education (CBSE)