Significance of New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 for Adult Education and Lifelong Learning Program

Abstract

Purpose: Adult Education Program is an imperative platform to spread literacy, raising awareness, functional amenabilities and sensitize each member of the community irrespective of age, region and religion. National Adult Education Program (NAEP) was initiated on 2^nd October, 1978 to spread literacy among community belonging to the age groups 15-35 years. However, with emergence of various implementing challenges and demands of the community, Adult Education was transfigured to Lifelong learning to engulf people of all age groups and all regions with special emphasis on socially and economically deprived sections of the community.

Design/ Methodology/ Approach: Present review highlights the role of New Education Policy (NEP) 2020 in proliferating adult education and lifelong learning programs in the current digital world. The emergence of Digital India and Atma Nirbhar Bharat makes it indispensable for each member of the community to be well aware of the basic skills that are imperative to be an independent and useful member of the society. To address the unforeseen challenges observed in India’s education landscape after COVID-19 pandemic scenario, it become inevitable to sensitize each member of the community with updated knowledge and skills.

Findings/Result:  As explained by Maclver who was a member of American Sociological Society, has explained the concept of society as a web of social relations. Current scenario has made it imperative to realize the significance of Adult education and lifelong learning. The author suggested that Adult Education and Lifelong Learning is a web of Skill Development Program. In current digital India and Atma Nirbhar Bharat, where technology advancements has emerged on a significant height, Adult Education and Life Long Learning plays a vital role in making the society economically independent.

Originality/New knowledge:  The novelty in current review and NEP 2020 lies in transition from National Education Policy 1986 aiming at spreading functional literacy among community to NEP 2020 aiming at enhancing skill development and dissemination of skill development programs among community to make them economically independent and a useful member in the society.

Paper type: Review Article