Academic Bank of Credit (ABC) has been launched by the GOI through CSCs with the objective of ‘One Nation, One Student ID’. ABC ID is a digital repository for student records which is now mandatory for college/university admissions and to facilitate easy credit transfer between institutes for students. Universities can easily access student data with ABC ID. Here are the highlights of the event:
Launch of Academic Bank of Credit (ABC) through CSCs:
i) The Ministry of Education, along with CSC SPV, launched the APAAR (Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry) through Common Service Centres (CSCs) across remote villages.
ii) Objective: Implementation of ‘One Nation, One Student ID’ under the National Education Policy (NEP 2020).
iii) Requirement: All college/university-going students must register on the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) and obtain an ABC ID for admission to any educational institution.
Features and Benefits of APAAR:
i) Provisional APAAR ID issuance for all school children, to be authenticated with Aadhaar and linked to Digi Locker.
ii) Potential business model for Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) to provide APAAR ID services.
iii) Transparency and ease in accessing school and higher education services.
Technology Platforms and Integration:
i) Leveraging existing platforms like Samarth, Swayam, and Diksha at the school level.
ii) Planned expansion of ‘Samarth’ to cover at least 10,000 institutions within 1.5 years.
iii) Significant role of CSCs in implementing APAAR and Samarth.
Academic Bank of Credits (ABC):
i) Digital repository facilitating easy access to student records and personal information.
ii) Stores credits earned by students across different institutions, allowing seamless admission transitions.
iii) Virtual storage for student performance data, aligning with NEP 2020 recommendations.
Key Stakeholder Perspectives:
i) Anil Sahasrabudhe (Chairman, All India Council for Technical Education): This initiative emphasizes the lifelong validity of APAAR ID, enabling credit accumulation through various exams. Also simplifies documentation processes for students, reducing reliance on certificates.
ii) Sanjay Rakesh (MD-CEO, CSC SPV): This initiative stresses the need for popularizing APAAR ID and its benefits. Also highlights the role of CSC VLEs in facilitating APAAR ID enrollment, particularly in schools lacking online infrastructure.
Significance and Future Implications:
i) Revolutionary initiative to centralize student records and curb illegal activities.
ii) Addresses infrastructural gaps in schools through CSC VLE assistance.
iii) Aligns with NEP 2020 vision for educational reform and digital integration.
Academic Bank of Credit (ABC) Overview:
i) Digital repository storing student credits and performance data.
ii) Facilitates admission transitions and data accessibility for educational institutions.
iii) Recommended by NEP 2020 to modernize education and streamline student record management.
Conclusion:
The launch of APAAR through CSCs marks a significant step towards realizing the vision of ‘One Nation, One Student ID’ as outlined in NEP 2020. Integration of technology platforms and stakeholder collaboration are essential for the successful implementation and widespread adoption of APAAR. APAAR and the Academic Bank of Credits (ABC) aim to enhance transparency, accessibility, and efficiency in the Indian education system, ultimately benefiting students and educational institutions alike.