Bringing in much-needed reforms, the Union Cabinet approved the National Education Policy 2020.
The Indian education system was waiting for the winds of change for its reconstruction.
From the flexibility in choosing subjects to change in the medium of interaction, we bring you the transformation that the NEP 2020 will implement in our current education system.
About the National Education Policy
The National Education Policy (NEP) replaces the thirty-four-year-old National Policy on Education (NPE), 1986 intending to provide more flexibility in the education system and giving a holistic framework to school/college education.
Built on the foundational pillars of Access, Equity, Quality, Affordability and Accountability, this policy is aligned to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and aims to transform India into a vibrant knowledge society and global knowledge superpower by making both school and college education more holistic, flexible, multidisciplinary, suited to 21st century needs and aimed at bringing out the unique capabilities of each student.
The government has also renamed the Ministry of Human Resource Development will be renamed as the Ministry of Education.
5+3+3+4 CURRICULUM to replace the prevailing 10+2 system
New 5+3+3+4 school curriculum with 12 years of schooling and 3 years of Anganwadi/ Pre-schooling.
- Foundational–3 years (Anganwadi/Pre-school/Bavatika) Age (3 to 6) and 2 years(class1&2) (Age 6 to 8)
- Preparatory–3 years (Class 3 to 5) (Age 8 to 11)
- Middle–3 years (Class 6 to 8) (Age 14 to 18)
- Secondary – 4 years (Class 9 to 12) (Age14 to 18)
Changes in School Education
- Board Examination will be Low Stakes (Low-stakes assignments are forms of evaluation that do not heavily impact students’ final grades or other educational outcomes)
- Board Exams to test core concepts and application of knowledge
- Mother tongue to be a medium of instruction till 5th grade and preferably till Grade 8 and beyond in Home Language / Mother tongue/ Regional Language
- Report Cards will be a comprehensive report on skills and capabilities
- No Rigid Separation between Arts & Sciences, between Curricular and extra-Curricular activities, between Vocational and Academic streams
- Coding to be introduced from class 6 onwards
- Vocational integration from class 6 onwards
Changes in Higher Education
- 50% Gross Enrolment Ratio to be achieved by 2035
- Holistic and Multidisciplinary Education -Flexibility of Subjects
- Multiple Entry / Exit
- UG Program – 3 or 4 year
- PG Program – 1 or 2 year
- Integrated 5-year Bachelor’s / Master’s
- M Phil to be discontinued
- Public Investment in Education Sector to reach 6% of GDP at the earliest
- Single Regulator for higher education (except Legal and Medical)
Technology
- Use of Technology in- Education Planning, Teaching, Learning & Assessment, Administration & Management
- Regulation – Self Disclosure & Minimum Human Interface
- Increasing Access for Disadvantaged Groups
- Divyang Friendly Education Software
- e-Content in Regional Languages
- Virtual Labs
- National Educational Technology Forum (NETF)
- Digitally Equipping Schools, Teachers and Students
Key Reforms
- National Mission to focus on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy
- Universalization of Early Childhood Care Education (ECCE)
- Curriculum to integrate 21st Century Skills, Mathematical Thinking and Scientific temper
- Education of Gifted Children
- Gender Inclusion Fund
- KGBVs upto Grade 12
- Reduction in Curriculum to Core Concepts
- National assessment center – PARAKH
- NTA to offer Common Entrance Exam for Admission to HEIs
- National Professional Standards for Teachers (NPST)
- Book Promotion Policy and Digital Libraries
- Transparent online self-disclosure for public oversight and accountability
Also Read: The essence of ‘Thank You’ in the 21st Century
Expected Outcome of NEP
- Universalization from ECCE to Secondary Education by 2030, aligning with SDG4
- Attaining Foundational Learning & Numeracy Skills through National Mission by 2025
- 100% GER in Pre-School to Secondary Level by 2030
- Bring Back 2 Cr Out of School Children
- Teachers to be prepared for assessment reforms by 2023
- Inclusive & Equitable Education System by 2030
- Board Exams to test core concepts and application of knowledge
- Every Child will come out of School adept in at least one Skill
- Common Standards of Learning in Public & Private Schools
Read the full report here
The National Education Policy has received mixed reactions from the industries. The changes were much required.
The policy has been announced and now the real wait comes- its implementation. Education is a fundamental right for all, and there should be no stone left unturned to make it accessible for all.
Let’s hope to see a bright sunrise in our education system, with transparency.
