EQUITY AND INCLUSION IN NEP 2020: A GREAT ENDEAVOUR FOR BETTER FUTURE

Abstract

National Education Policy 2020 is a paradigm shift to the entire education system in India. A cluster of new schemes have been introduced and some earlier schemes have been adopted after small amendment to remove the educational poverty of the country. Equity and Inclusion in NEP 2020 is the modification of earlier scheme. The history of education for the persons with disability dates back to the early 1880s. Chronologically several attempts have been taken to promote educational opportunities to target group through different schemes, acts and policies in India. However, the result of inclusiveness is not up to the mark till date. According to Census 2011, 54.39 % of the total disabled people with multiple disabilities at the age group of 5 to 19 years had never attended school. As per UDISE Report 2021-22, the enrolment of CWSN students to total students in Primary, Upper Primary and Elementary stage was only .93%, 1.06% and .98% respectively. Merely, 26.96% of schools have toilets with CWSN facilities, 71.80% schools have ramps and only 49. 72% schools have ramps with handrail facilities for CWSN students. Though NEP 2020 has been introduced with lots of expectations to revamp the inclusive education system with huge strength and opportunities but the success depends on overcoming the inherent weakness and extrinsic challenges during the implementation.