Union Education Minister and Minister for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Shri Dharmendra Pradhan launched a public consultation on the draft National Credit Framework (NCrF) here today. MoS, Education, Smt Annpurna Devi; MoS, Skill Development & Entrepreneurship, Electronics & IT, Shri Rajeev Chandrasekhar; Smt Anita Karwal; Secretary, Higher Education Shri Sanjay Murthy; Secretary, Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, Shri Atul Kumar Tiwari; Chairman, NCVET; Shri Dr. Nirmaljeet Singh Kalsi and senior officials of the Ministry of Education and Skill Development attended the programme.
In line with the vision of the New National Education Policy (NEP) as envisioned under the dynamic leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the Government of India has developed the National Credit Framework (NCrF) to enable the integration of academic and professional fields and ensure flexibility and mobility between them. The NCrF would be a game-changer by opening up numerous opportunities for student progression and blending school and higher education with vocational and experiential learning, incorporating qualifications and vocational education. NCrF will also enable students who have left the mainstream to re-enter the educational ecosystem.
Speaking on the occasion, Shri Pradhan said that Jan-bhagidari is a key pillar of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s governance and NEP 2020 also embodies the spirit of Jan-bhagidari. He said the National Credit Framework is the next generation, multi-dimensional tool under the NEP. We dedicate NCrF for “Jan-paramarsh” to make it more dynamic. Shri Pradhan further said that the National Credit Framework is an overarching framework for qualification, re-skilling, up-skilling, accreditation and assessment which includes our people in educational and qualification institutions and workforce.
Shri Pradhan emphasized that we need to make India a $5 trillion economy, fulfill the vision of Vikasit Bharat in the next 25 years and empower 100% of our population and the National Credit Framework will be the most important tool under the NEP to realize these goals. India is embracing technology at an unprecedented pace. We need to make reforms to motivate knowledge, skills and experience. Credits for acquiring knowledge, practical training, positive social outcomes will be a key step to achieve 100% literacy in the next 2-3 years, he added.
The NCrF will seamlessly integrate credits earned through school education, higher education and vocational education and skills training by including the National Higher Education Qualification Framework (NHEQF), National Skills Qualification Framework (NSQF) and National School Education Qualification Framework (NSEQF). It also supports the acceleration of education for gifted students and the recognition of prior learning for a workforce that has acquired knowledge and skills informally through traditional family heritage, work experience or other methods.
The government has now invited comments and suggestions on the document, which can be sent to: comments.ncrf[at]gmail[dot]com.
The proposed benefits for various stakeholders are as follows:
1. Students: NCrF will ensure flexibility in the length of study/courses by providing multiple entry and exit/work options as well as pave the way for credit for all study hours, including academic, vocational and experiential learning. It will also provide lifelong learning – learning anytime, anywhere: it will also help students by:
• Introduction of multidisciplinary and holistic education with flexible curricula
• Removing the hard distinction between education stream and respecting choice of study, allowing more than one award in the same period
• Eliminating the distinction between arts, science, social sciences, commerce, etc
• Providing student credits for each academic/skill/experience
• Expanding the scope of basic learning to include both basic and cognitive
2. Institutions: NCrF will bring unification of higher education institutions to promote multidisciplinary education and create a diverse and rich knowledge base of students. It will also help with:
• Support for closer cooperation between institutions
• Simplification and unification of the credit mechanism
• Greater focus on research and innovation
• Support of digital education, combined education and open distance education
• Use of institutional infrastructure
3. Government: The NCrF is expected to help the government to increase enrolment, help fulfill the national vision of replenishing the demographic dividend and turning India into a global skill capital. I will too:
• Make vocational education and training/qualification aspirational
• Highly educated and trained workforce for Aatmnirbhar Bharat
4. Industry: NCrF will enable students to acquire NSQF approved core skills developed by industry and be more employable. The provision of microcredit data will enable the integration of rapid education/upgradation. It will also help with:
• Retraining and upgrading the qualifications of existing employees/engineers
• Making students more employable by enabling holistic study design
• Creation of a multi/intersectoral qualified group of employable youth
