Telangana Experts Reject NEP 2020 for Local Implementation
Education experts in Telangana believe the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 is unfit for the state. During a recent seminar hosted by the Telangana Education Commission, speakers urged the government to consider a decentralised, state-specific alternative.
Key Concerns Raised at the Seminar
Academicians, policy experts, and public representatives participated in the event. They criticised NEP 2020 for being ideologically biased, financially unrealistic, and structurally weak. Most of the discussion focused on how the policy could harm education quality, equity, and access in Telangana.
The participants expressed worries over centralised control, imposed language and culture, and the growing shift towards privatisation. They said the policy does not match Telangana’s educational needs or ground realities.
Experts Question NEP’s Financial Viability
Akunuri Murali, IAS (Retd.) and chairperson of the Telangana Education Commission, highlighted major funding issues. He said the NEP claims to allocate 4.4% of GDP to education, but actual figures for 2024–25 and 2025–26 show only 0.44%.
He also pointed out that Telangana allocates just 1.5% of its GSDP to education. This is far below the global average of 4.48%. According to Murali, the NEP shifts the financial burden from the state to families, making education less accessible.
No Consultation with States or Parliament
Prof. Shantha Sinha, former chairperson of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR), raised a concern about the policy’s legitimacy. She explained that the Union Cabinet approved the NEP without parliamentary debate or state-level consultation.
She also criticised the focus on digitisation, saying it is replacing real learning. According to her, all government schools—including those in slums—must offer the same quality of education as Kendriya Vidyalayas.
Outcome-Focused But Input-Neglected
Prof. G Haragopal, former professor at the University of Hyderabad, said the NEP overemphasises outcomes without securing basic inputs. He questioned the four-year undergraduate programme, especially its multiple entry-exit model. Haragopal noted that such ideas ignore the real issues of cost and access for many students.
Telangana Needs Its Own Education Policy
Several speakers called for a policy that reflects the state’s social, linguistic, and cultural context. They argued that a one-size-fits-all approach will not work for Telangana’s schools and colleges.
The seminar participants urged the state to design its own decentralised and inclusive education model. They stressed the importance of involving local communities in education planning and implementation.
Notable Voices Join the Debate
Other prominent speakers included Prof. Rama Melkote, Prof. M Kodandaram, Prof. D Narasimha Reddy, Prof. S Jeelani, Prof. Aldas Janaiah, Prof. Amir Ullah Khan, Prof. Padmaja Shaw, Prof. I Thirumali, Dr. P Shankar, Dr. N Upender Reddy, and Prof. Bhangya Bhukya. Each of them shared concerns about the NEP’s lack of contextual sensitivity and its long-term implications.
Conclusion
The seminar made one message clear: Telangana needs an education policy tailored to its unique context. The NEP 2020, with its centralised structure and unrealistic financial plan, fails to meet the needs of the state. Experts and educators now urge the government to adopt a localised, equitable, and practical approach to reforming education in Telangana.
