With nod from the Union Cabinet, National Education Policy 2020 came to life last month. From the time when it was approved, the policy has been analyzed on different aspects and assessed for its various provisions. One of the most important aspects of the policy is its focus on developing and nurturing art-integrated education and by extension extra-curricular learning.
The National Research Foundation (NRF), that has been put forward in the NEP will not only focus on scientific research but will also be a catalyst that will promote quality research in art, music, philosophy, writing et al.
The policy will ensure that students are privy to local culture and pool of knowledge and paves way for hiring of artists and craftspersons, specially from local communities.
One of the important provision in the policy is to have Artist(s)-in-Residence in schools or school complexes to expose students to art and creativity.
Different lists creation of programmes in different fields of Arts with an application in modern world such as Translation and Interpretation, Art and Museum Administration, Archaeology, Artefact Conservation, Graphic Design, and Web Design have been listed in the New Education Policy.
To include touring of destinations around the country by students the policy also outlines further development of the ‘Ek Bharat Shrestha Bharat’ programme.
The objective of including art forms in school and higher education curriculum can be an important key in revival of dying local arts and crafts. The opportunities of employment will open not only in teaching sector but also at different academies, museums, art galleries, and heritage sites, which as per the the policy document, are in dire need of individuals who are effective and skilled for their effective functioning.