National Mission for Mentoring (NMM)

Why in news?

The University Grants Commission (UGC) has called on all higher educational institutions (HEIs) across India recently to nominate teaching faculty under the National Mission for Mentoring (NMM).

• Launched in – 2022, in 30 selected Central Schools (including permanent, contractual and para-teachers such as Shiksha Mitra and Niyojit Shikshak).
• Aim – To establish a robust national network of mentors to enhance teacher professional development at all levels of education.
• Nodal Ministry - Ministry of Education.
• Implementing Body - AICTE (All India Council for Technical Education).
• Instituted Under – The umbrella of the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP 2020).
• Objective - To provide emotional, academic, and professional mentoring to students through trained mentors, ensuring guidance on:
  • Career planning
  • Academic improvement
  • Mental well-being
  • Internship and skill development
  • Entrepreneurship and innovation
• Key Features
• Mentoring Portal
  • A nationwide digital platform to connect mentors and mentees.
  • Students can register and choose mentors based on interest and career paths.
• Types of Mentors
  • Academicians
  • Industry professionals
  • Retired professionals
  • Entrepreneurs and innovators
• Coverage
  • School students (especially from Classes 9–12 in some programmes)
  • Undergraduate and postgraduate students
  • Aspiring entrepreneurs
• Mode of Mentoring
  • One-to-one mentoring
  • Group mentoring
  • Virtual interactions
  • Structured sessions and webinars
• Volunteer-driven Programme
  • Mentors participate voluntarily as part of national service.
• Structure - The "Bluebook" - NCTE has published a guide titled "NMM - The Bluebook", which serves as a roadmap, outlining the architectural framework, objectives, strategies, and practical guidelines for all stakeholders.
• Stakeholders – Mentor (the guide); Mentee (the teacher); and Nodal officers/administration.
• Implementation strategy –
  • Pilot phase – Tested in 30 Central Schools (15 Kendriya Vidyalayas, 10 Jawahar Navodaya schools, and 5 CBSE schools) with 60 mentors, some even Padma Awardees.
  • Building capacity – Seminars and workshops are conducted to teach “Master Mentors” who can subsequently teach others.
  • Incentivisation – Although participation is voluntary, it encourages participants to do so with certificates, performance credits and other incentives.
• Outcome – Reduce isolation/burnout, improve work-life balance, foster Community of Practice.

References

The Hindu | National Mission for Mentoring