Mandatory Training for Principals as New Education Policy Implementation gathers pace, says Minister Chandrakant Dada Patil

Mumbai, 16 April: The State Government has taken an important step to speed up implementation of the four year undergraduate programme, a major change in higher education. Higher and Technical Education Minister Chandrakant Dada Patil announced that a three day online training programme will be made mandatory for all principals, directors, and faculty members in the State for effective introduction of Honours and Honours with Research courses.

The announcement was made at a discussion session organised by the Higher and Technical Education Department. The training has been made compulsory to ensure that the new academic structure is introduced in a uniform manner across colleges and that no academic or administrative difficulty arises during implementation.

Patil said this decision is an important step towards making higher education more flexible and more research oriented under the National Education Policy 2020. The fourth year under the four year undergraduate programme will come into effect from the academic year 2026 to 2027, opening the way for students to pursue Honours and Honours with Research options for more advanced study.

The new system includes the credit system, the multiple entry and exit option, and the Academic Bank of Credits. Patil said teachers and administrators must have a clear understanding of these changes, and that the special training programme is being organised for this purpose.

This step is aimed at giving students in the State access to high quality, skill based, and research focused education. It is also expected to support wider improvement in the higher education system.