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.
