VIDYANJALI PROGRAMME (Syllabus: GS Paper 2 – Education)

Context: Union Minister of Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship,  has launched the EdCIL Vidyanjali Scholarship Programme. 

Vidyanjali Scholarship Programme

• About:

oAligned with the National Education Policy 2020.

oAims to revolutionize opportunities for quality education and access to higher education institutions.

oGoes beyond mere enrolment to ensure access to high-quality learning systems.

oFacilitates seamless transition from secondary to higher education.

• Financial Support for Meritorious Navodaya Vidyalaya Students:

oExtends financial assistance to economically marginalized and meritorious students of Navodaya Vidyalayas.

oTargets students who lack means but show academic promise.

• Encouragement of Private Sector Involvement:

oLeverages Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives to involve the private sector.

oEncourages corporates to contribute towards educational inclusivity and socio-economic upliftment.

oEstablishes a collaboration between the Government and corporates towards the goal of an educated India.

o

National Education Policy 2020

• Universal Access: NEP 2020 emphasizes universal access to school education, covering pre-school to secondary levels, ensuring education for all.
• Early Childhood Education: It proposes a shift from the existing 10+2 structure to a 5+3+3+4 system, integrating 3-6-year-olds into the formal schooling system with a focus on Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE).
• GER Enhancement: NEP 2020 targets increasing the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) from the current 26.3% to 50% by 2035 in higher education
• Public Funding: NEP 2020 aims to increase public investment in education to reach 6% of GDP.