Modi Government Committed to have 15,000 “Schools of Excellence” this year
In a significant announcement for strengthening School Education as envisioned under National Education Policy 2020, Union Budget 2021-22 has made provision for converting more than 15,000 schools in different parts of the country to schools of excellence that will have the requisite strength to include all components of the National Education Policy 2020.
These will emerge as exemplary schools in their regions, handholding and mentoring other schools to achieve the ideals of the Policy.
Under this initiative one primary and one elementary school in each block and one secondary and one senior secondary school in each district will be developed as schools of excellence that are strengthened, empowered and capacitated to provide – a safe and stimulating learning environment where a wide range of learning experiences are offered, and where good physical infrastructure and appropriate resources conducive to learning are available to all students.
Few Kendriya Vidyalayas and Navodaya Vidyalays will also be developed as exemplars for showcasing implementation of NEP 2020 and emerging as schools of excellence. These schools shall also emerge as leaders in school education in their region and help hand-hold and mentor other schools to achieve the ideals of NEP 2020.
Beneficiaries and Benefits of Exemplar Schools
– These schools will focus on cognitive development, building character and creating holistic and well-rounded individuals equipped with 21st century skills.
– These schools will help showcase the implementation of the NEP and emerge as exemplars and schools of excellence in their respective regions.
– Pedagogy adopted in these schools will be more experiential, holistic, integrated, real life situations based, inquiry-driven, discovery-oriented, learner-centered, discussion-based, flexible, and, enjoyable.
– Focus on learning outcomes of every child in every grade – Assessment of Quantitative, Verbal & Logical Reasoning Skills.
– Introduction of Child tracking, Holistic progress Card etc.
– Convergence with existing schemes and line Ministries.
According the education- experts, the idea of schools of excellence reflects the modern outlook and approach in the budget outlook for Education sector. The importance to the primary or school education, that too in underprivileged areas, and including in this education learning of will go a long way in revamping education management in the system.
It is also believed that the budgetary proposals towards skilling and apprenticeship for students on amending the same and dedicating a sum of Rs 3000 crores will give multiple opportunities to the aspiring NextGen leaders of tomorrow.
It may be noted that in the Union Budget 2021, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has announced a total expenditure estimate of Rs 93,224 crore for education. This consists of Rs 54,874 crore for the Department of School Education and Literacy and Rs 38,350 crore for the Department of Higher Education.
Apart from the provision of over 15,000 schools being qualitatively strengthened under National Education Policy 2021, there are also measures of setting up regional, national institutes for virology, 100 new Sainik Schools in partnership with NGOs, and 750 Eklavya model residential schools in tribal areas.
A central University in Leh for accessible higher education in India and allocation of Rs 3000 for the training of graduates and diploma holders in engineering are also envisaged in the budget.