A representative forum of experts in the field of education, politicians and the former minister for school education and literacy BC Nagesh have written to Karnataka’s governor requesting his intervention to stop the rollback of National Education Policy 2020.

The current congress government in Karnataka has proposed to have a state education policy while rolling back the NEP 2020, the implementation of which was underway by the previous BJP government in the state.

In a letter signed by former MLC Arun Shahapur, educationists Nandini Lakshminkanth and Dr TM Gireesh under the banner of Peoples Forum for Karnataka Education, Bengaluru among the other professors urged governor Thawar Chand Gehlot to intervene and stop the decision.

The experts said that Karnataka was among the first states to implement NEP and that it has played a key role in drafting and implementing the NEP 2020.

“The state was one of the first states to implement the suggestions of the policy in its educational institutions. However, the efforts and enthusiasm caused a backlash with the arrival of a newly elected government into power. The present government led by Siddaramiah, has not only taken a drastic step to repeal a topic that is included in the concurrent list but has also taken a daring step of forming a new committee to frame State Education Policy – SEP under the Chairmanship of Prof Sukhadeo Thorat,” the letter reads.

Among the several contentions the forum has put forth, they expressed that having one state with schools following two different policies would result in discrimination.

“Through the People’s Forum for Education, Karnataka we wish to bring it to your kind attention that the effort of the State Government in implementing SEP in the state education will disturb the equilibrium of the education imparted, as SEP can be incorporated only in schools that are either managed by the Government or Private schools which are still affiliated to State Board.

“Since most students who are admitted to State-owned schools largely belong to economically weaker sections of society, such an insensitive step by the state government will also create a virtual divide among the children. The state governments have been sensitive in the past and have not taken such steps in the past, which the present Karnataka Government initiated,” they wrote to the governor. 

Also read: Karnataka: Experts disappointed over roll back of NEP 2020