Today we will discuss Centre's Ramakrishna Mission ‘Awakening’ Programme in our daily edition of Current Affairs. Read further to upgrade your UPSC CSE knowledge and also understand the topic’s relevance to the UPSC syllabus.

For Prelims: Features of ‘Awakening’ Programme, National Education Policy (NEP) 2020, Ramakrishna Mission.

For Mains: National Education Policy (NEP) 2020,  Ramakrishna Mission and philosophy of Vedanta. 

Probable Question

To what extent the contribution by Indian past philosophers has been reflected in the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.

Context

Recently the Union Minister for Education and Skill Development & Entrepreneurship launched Ramakrishna Mission’s ‘Awakening’ Programme for students of classes I to V.

About ‘Awakening’ Programme

• This initiative is a step towards ensuring holistic personality development of a child aligned with the philosophy of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
• It is applicable for students of classes I to V.
• Need:
  • Social transformation is one of the key goals of education. 
  • Values and wisdom are more important than material wealth. 
  • Value-based education is important for building a future-ready and socially conscious generation.

Read yesterday’s edition of Current Affairs on the Reintroduction of Cheetah in India, in case you missed reading it.

About Ramakrishna Mission

• It is also known as the Ramakrishna Movement or the Vedanta Movement.
• The mission was founded by Swami Vivekananda after his Guru Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, in 1897.
• Ramakrishna Mission has a legacy of imparting applied education.
• It mainly propagates the Hindu philosophy of Vedanta (Advaita Vedanta) along with four yogic ideals such as Jnana, Bhakti, Karma, and Raja yoga.
• The motto of this mission is “For one’s own salvation and for the welfare of the world” (ATMANO MOKSHARTHAM JAGAD HITAYA CHA)”.

National; Education Policy (NEP) 2020

NEP 2020 aims to increase the gross enrollment ratio (GER) to 100% in preschool to secondary level by 2030 and in Higher Education including vocational education from 26.3% (2018) to 50% by 2035.

• The National Education Policy 2020 proposes various reforms in school education as well as higher education including technical education.
• The NEP 2020 is deeply inspired by the philosophy of Swami Vivekananda.
• NEP 2020 focuses on a teacher-led holistic education system for students.

Way Ahead

• There should be an emphasis on creating such value-based educational programmes for 9th to 12th grades as well.
• Our education system must be aligned to national priorities. 
• There is a need to create 21st century citizens capable of taking global responsibilities.
• CBSE should institute an advisory framework for encouraging value-based education in all schools from Balvatika to Class XII for national progress and global welfare.

News Source: 

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1859557

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