Karnataka govt scraps NEP; to bring new policy next year, says DK Shivakumar

The Karnataka government has decided to scrap the National Education Policy from the next academic year and a new state education policy will be formulated, Deputy Chief Minister DK Shivakumar announced on Monday.

"We have examined various aspects of the National Education Policy that was adopted by BJP and we have decided to scrap it. We will bring new Karnataka Education Policy next year," said Shivakumar.

Addressing a Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC) meeting at the party office, CM Siddaramaiah said that the NEP must be abolished with necessary preparations which could not be done this year on time.


"By the time the state election results were out (this May) and the new government was formed, the academic year had already started," Siddaramaiah added.

On August 18, taking to 'X' (formerly known as Twitter), Shivakumar wrote, "After coming to power, we promised to cancel the National Education Policy and we are committed to that promise. What is the rush to implement NEP first in Karnataka? Why has NEP not been implemented in Gujarat and Uttar Pradesh?"

"The education system in Karnataka is a model for the country. That is why Bangalore is the IT capital today. So many people in the state are in good positions abroad, because of our education system", the Deputy CM further added.

Following this announcement, several BJP leaders said that the Karnataka government's decision is intended to hinder with the growth of the state.

BJP MP Tejaswi Surya said, "Congress' decision to scrap NEP in Karnataka reflects their intent to stop growth of Kannada; stop students from leveraging their academic credits; stop multidisciplinary & innovative approaches to education."

"CM Siddaramaiah must rethink before taking such politically motivated decisions & spare children from his petty politics. It is unfortunate that despite having so many 'advisors', this is the level of decision making that Karnataka & especially children are made to go through & suffer under this Govt," he added


Former Karnataka CM Basavaraj Bommai said "The decision to change NEP is a foolish one. NEP is deliberated for several years throughout the country. The Siddaramaiah govt had approved this draft during his old regime. The draft has been made with a futuristic approach providing multiple choices to the students to put out their talent."

If this govt thinks of withdrawing it, it will be at the cost of the future of our children. Small changes can be made in the policy but if this is withdrawn, none of the students or academicians will agree and the people will revolt against this, he added.

Earlier in July this year, Karnataka primary education Minister Madhu Bangarappa said that the state education department has decided not to adopt the National Education Policy( NEP) but instead will implement the State Education Policy (SEP).

It may be noted that NEP 2020 launched in July 2020 provides a set of guiding principles for a paradigm shift across the education sector in India from school to doctoral level.