5 years on, Uttarakhand's NEP rollout falters on key reforms

Time of India

5 days ago

Dehradun: Five years after Uttarakhand became the first state to implement the National Education Policy, only partial changes have taken effect, with key curriculum revisions and technology upgrades still pending, teachers and students said this week.
The state introduced some initiatives like bag-free days and balvatikas, but most recommendations under NEP 2020 have not been fully implemented, Dr Ankit Joshi, former SCERT member said. "An integral part of NEP was formative assessment focused on overall growth, not just academics. But we are still using the old assessment methods. Teachers have not received adequate training. It talked of 21st-century skills, but those are still missing as we rush to complete basic syllabi every year.
NEP's 5+3+3+4 model is yet to be rolled out thoroughly," he added
The vision of NEP 2020 was to make India a global knowledge hub through multi-disciplinary learning, fostering local-global integration, and encouraging pride in Indian identity. Yet, teachers claimed the approach in Uttarakhand remains heavily centralised. "Without clarity on how to implement these reforms, the state tends to copy central models.
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NEP demands localised curricula, but that's lacking. Uttarakhand's unique culture and geographical challenges are not reflected in school education," Joshi said.
In May, CM Pushkar Singh Dhami had said Bhagavad Gita teachings would be introduced in school assemblies and curricula to align with NEP's focus on cultural values and moral education. This was implemented by the education department earlier this month.
Since mid-July, students in govt schools have been reciting shlokas during morning prayer, with teachers explaining their meanings and relevance. The education department also said that region-specific content such as local culture, folklore, and geography would be added to textbooks later this year.
Separately, the cabinet recently approved recruitment rules for 135 special education teachers and is pushing for digital upgrades, foreign language training, and vocational options like drone technology and beauty and wellness.
These reforms aim to strengthen NEP-linked goals of inclusivity and multi-disciplinary learning, but teachers on the ground said implementation has remained inconsistent.
Although the education department earlier announced the inclusion of state-specific issues like forest fires and landslides in school curricula, these changes have not been introduced yet. Similarly, a proposal to expand the number of subjects for class 10—including more languages and vocational options—remains unexecuted.
"Nothing has changed for teachers in daily operations. Unless the curriculum is overhauled and new teaching methods introduced, we will continue with pre-NEP methods," said Raghuveer Tomar, patron of the state teachers' association. "There's a lot of talk about hybrid teaching and tech inclusion, but a single smart board in a school with multiple batches doesn't help. You must equip schools fully or not at all. This half-baked approach is harming both teachers and students.
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Teachers also flagged delays in textbook distribution and lack of subject experts. "NEP, if implemented properly, can improve education standards in the state. We support the reforms, but our motivation is eroding due to bureaucratic red tape," said a guest teacher on condition of anonymity. "We are sent on poll and VIP duty while we should be teaching. Budgets are tight, so tech upgrades are delayed. Students are told they can choose subjects, but we don't have experts, so they end up doing basic science, commerce or arts.
"
However, the education department maintained it was on track with reforms, especially on digital integration. "We have introduced balvatikas and bag-free days, and even reduced bag weights. Our next target is the localised curriculum, which is being prioritised this year and will be introduced very soon," said Dr Mukul Kumar Sati, director, secondary education.
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