Quality Education for a Sustainable Future: India’s NEP 2020 and the SDGs

Description

Page: 169–172

Palak Bansal and Ravneet Chawla (Department of Human Development, Government Home Science College, Chandigarh)

Education is the cornerstone of sustainable development, catalyzing economic growth, social equity, and environmental stewardship. The United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 4 (SDG 4) calls for inclusive, equitable, quality education and lifelong learning opportunities. In India, the introduction of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 marks a transformative step toward overhauling the education system and aligning it with sustainable development imperatives. This paper critically examines the role of quality education in achieving sustainability, with a focus on how NEP 2020 supports SDG goals. The paper discusses the multifaceted contributions of education to economic development, social equity, and environmental sustainability, highlights case studies from India, addresses challenges in policy implementation, and offers recommendations for further strengthening the education system. Through this review, we underscore that enhancing quality education is pivotal for securing a sustainable future for India and the global community.