DR JAWAHAR Surisetti, known world-wide as the “Think Professor” for his “Art Of Thinking”, has termed the new National Education Policy (NEP) as a game changer. It has transformed the existing school curricular structure from government or teacher centric to student centric, he said. Dr Surisetti served as the Education Advisor to the former US President Barack Obama and now advises the Government of India on policy issues and innovations in education, start-ups and youth affairs. He engages with 2.4 lakh children and parents across the globe through the UN expedition called Explora - exploring the minds of the youths. Dr Surisetti is a Doctorate in Psychology from the University of Washington. He has been bestowed the New York Times’ Da Vinci Innovator title for his innovations in social education to help uplift the disadvantaged.

 

His innovation, Think Curriculum, for which he has been awarded an honorary doctorate by Columbia University, fosters thinking in learning and has been funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. “So far, education policy was being prepared by people who live in AC cabins with no understanding of ground situation and requirement. This is the first time when the Government invited Gram Panchayats, Block Development Officers, schools and universities to share their experience and requirements to frame the NEP-2020,” Dr Surisetti said in an exclusive interview to ‘The Hitavada’. “For the first time, 2.5 lakh people shared their views, expertise which helped the policy makers to understand the requirement of education in India. NEP took five years to bring about this change,” said Dr Surisetti. “First time, the policy included fun element in learning which was missing previously. With this new pattern a child can explore his interests in various fields which will add fun for all students,” he added. Talking about heavy bags in schools, Dr Surisetti said, “CBSE did a good job by reducing bag weight for primary students. But the implementation has to be done by schools. Some State Governments like Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu and Delhi implemented the model in their schools but other states should also implement it.” “We are slowly moving towards developmental education.

 

The idea of NEP is to use the character and culture of Indian education with the globally accepted developmental education,” he added. Asked about the increasing fees structure in schools, Dr Surisetti said, “About 70% of children in India go to government schools. Just 1-2% of students in the remaining 30% are in those elite schools which charge heavily. To implement ‘Education to All’ policy the Government of India has to focus and strengthen the government schools.” “The NEP replaced the 10+2 structure with a 5+3+3+2 structure, thus roping children from ages three to five into the formal education system. Similarly, the old education system was based on three-year graduation system which is now replaced by 4-year graduation form. It will help those Indian students who want to get admission in US-based universities,” he added. “The NEP also recognised the importance of learning in the mother tongue at least till Class 5 which is also a revolutionary step by the Government,” he claimed.

 

Dr Surisetti said, “Skill development from school level is need of the hour and the Government of India should implement skill training at school level. Government is also working in this regard and soon it will be included in the NEP.” There is no mention of skill development of teachers in the NET. This factor should be explored in near future to strengthen the education system in the country, he added. “India was not ready for COVID-19 situation like other countries, but teachers did exemplary work by learning computer skills in a very short period. 37% of India does not have internet connection and any mobile access. So on-line education for this 37% population was a challenge during the pandemic but Government did appreciable job by experimenting different things to provide education to that population.” explained Dr Surisetti. “On-line education is here to stay now but we cannot replace off-line system because the emotions the teacher gives the child cannot replace anything,” said the expert.