National Education Policy 2020 & Joya Gogoi College

National Education Policy-2020 is the landmark and a basis to bring reformative changes in the Indian education system. It helps the vision for greater access, equity, excellence, inclusion and affordability to support Indian education system. It is a pioneering step of the Govt. of India which will bring transformational changes in the entire education system through advancements in pedagogies, knowledge creation, innovative delivery mechanism and integrated management of education systems. This policy replaces the 34-year-old National Policy on Education (NPE), 1986. The previous policy on education has focused mainly on the issues of access and equity with a lesser emphasis on quality of education. Later, it was modified in 1992 to complete its unfinished agenda.

As per the order no. DHE/PA/Misc/3/2022/8, dated Kahilipara the 28^th April/ 2022 from DHE, Govt. of Assam, the college authority has constituted a Task Force (Committee) on 03/04/2022 to devise the roadmap for phased implementation of the policy. The Task Force devised Institutional Development Plan (IDP) for Implementation of NEP-2020 after conducting multiple rounds of consultations with various stakeholders of the college. The Institutional Development plan includes the following strategic actions:

1. Multidiscipllinary & Interdisciplinary Approach under NEP, 2020:

In view of NEP 2020 Joya Gogoi College has taken steps towards the multidisciplinary/Interdisciplinary courses. As our college has both Science and Arts Streams which enhance more academic flexibility towards interdisciplinary approach and students can choose/select their subjects as per their interest. As per the guidelines from NEP, 2020 the Undergraduate Programme (UG) will be of 4 years duration with multiple exit options i.e., Certificate after completion of 1 year, Advanced Diploma after completion of 2 years, Bachelor’s Degree after successful completion of 3 years and Bachelor’s with Research after completing 4 years. Joya Gogoi College is affiliated under Dibrugarh University and has been eagerly waiting for the instructions/guidelines from the parent University for the Implementation of NEP, 2020.

Our college has already taken initiative of three strategies of teaching- Inter-College, Inter-departmental and Inter-institutional Faculty Exchange Programmes by signing some MoU’s. To provide the holistic approach for the learners our college has already undertaken some experimental learning model like field works, extension activities and projects.

2. Academic Bank of Credits (ABC):

  Our institution has already implemented CBCS system which has flexibility for the learners to complete their BA/BSc. Courses within stipulated time and also enhance the smooth transition to a four years degree courses with the implementation of NEP, 2020. We are preparing for submission of Institutional data in ABC system as long as we get the guidelines from our Parent University and learners can avail the benefit of multiple entries and exit during the chosen programme. Our Institution will arrange an orientation programme to availing the benefits of Academic bank of credit which is a virtual/ digital storehouse that contains the information of the credits earned by individual students throughout their learning period. How students can will open their ABC accounts and how they can avail multiple options for entering and leaving college or universities will also be taught.

3. Skill development:

  The College has already taken initiative towards skill-enhancement, employability to create ‘atmanirbhar citizens’ by introducing some Vocational courses on Cutting Knitting and Tailoring, Food Processing and Food Preservation, Beauty Therapy and Hair Cutting, Diploma in Computer Application and planned to introduce some Add-on courses on Tourism and Travel management, Health and Yoga, Simulation of electronics circuit using LT spice and Basic Analytical Chemistry which will offer various dimensions of skill development. Our College has already Skill Enhancement courses on NSS and Library and Information Science which motivates the students to develop their professional career in these fields.

4. Appropriate integration of Indian Knowledge system (teaching in Indian Language, culture, using online course):

Our College has already some Core/Generic Elective papers on Ancient and Modern Indian Political Thought, Indian Classical Literature and Modern Indian Literature, Indian Philosophy etc incorporated by current CBCS curriculum to instill a sense of rootedness and pride among the students regarding rich traditions of Indian knowledge system. The use of Assamese language as a major mode of communication in the classroom enables the students to understand the topics clearly.  The institution aims to set up a native language research centre in the coming year to encourage short-term research on local and indigenous knowledge system. The college conducts workshops and lecture series on Yoga. The college has set up an herbal garden with medicinal plants to raise consciousness on alternate medicine of Assam.

5. Focus on Outcome based education (OBE):

The institute will focus on the OBE through the introduction of some vocational course/certification course in addition to the regular curriculum. Various workshops and faculty development program will be conducted on development of materials for OBE. The institute will work earnestly to obtain autonomy of college, which is an integral part of outcome based education system as per NEP, 2020 guidelines.

6. Distance education/online education:

Online education provides ample flexibility to students to learn and explore as per their requirements. During the pandemic, all academic works were conducted online and faculty members and students have gained experiences on working with digital tools such as Zoom, Google Tools, Smart Classroom, You Tube to develop and deliver e-content, short videos, interactive power point presentations and other online content. The college has a centre for distance education- Krishna Kanta Handique State Open University (KKHSOU) which operates both the undergraduate and post graduate courses on Arts stream. To facilitate online learning our college intends to develop digital Self-Learning Materials (SLMs).  Based on this, the development of a digital library with course videos and materials by faculty members has become a key focus area of the college for future.