Amidst the chaotic and harsh situations prevailing all over the world due to the pandemic, India witnessed a monumental decision on July 29, 2020. The policies of Education System in India have always been under strict criticism and people have always wondered- When is it going to change?
Amidst the chaotic and harsh situations prevailing all over the world due to the pandemic, India witnessed a monumental decision on July 29, 2020. The policies of Education System in India have always been under strict criticism and people have always wondered- When is it going to change?
Union Cabinet approved a New National Education Policy (NEP) on July 29, 2020. Much to everyone’s delight, NEP is believed to bring significant and positive changes in the Education System of India. The NEP is introduced after 34 years.
Union Cabinet approved a New National Education Policy (NEP) on July 29, 2020. Much to everyone’s delight, NEP is believed to bring significant and positive changes in the Education System of India. The NEP is introduced after 34 years.
“A ‘light but tight’ regulatory framework to ensure integrity, transparency, and resource efficiency of the educational system through audit and public disclosure while encouraging innovation and out-of-the-box ideas through autonomy, good governance, and empowerment,” is one of the fundamental principles of NEP.
“A ‘light but tight’ regulatory framework to ensure integrity, transparency, and resource efficiency of the educational system through audit and public disclosure while encouraging innovation and out-of-the-box ideas through autonomy, good governance, and empowerment,” is one of the fundamental principles of NEP.
NEP also mentions, “The vision of the Policy is to instill among the learners a deep-rooted pride in being Indian, not only in thought, but also in spirit, intellect, and deeds, as well as to develop knowledge, skills, values, and dispositions that support responsible commitment to human rights, sustainable development and living, and global well-being, thereby reflecting a truly global citizen.”
NEP also mentions, “The vision of the Policy is to instill among the learners a deep-rooted pride in being Indian, not only in thought, but also in spirit, intellect, and deeds, as well as to develop knowledge, skills, values, and dispositions that support responsible commitment to human rights, sustainable development and living, and global well-being, thereby reflecting a truly global citizen.”
Key Highlights of NEP 2020-
Key Highlights of NEP 2020-
The 10+2 structure of school education will be replaced with a new 5+3+3+4 structure covering ages 3-18.
Foundation : 3 years- Anganwadi/ Preschool/Balvatika (Ages 3-6) 2 years- Class 1 & 2 (Ages 6-8)
Preparatory : 3 years- Class 3 to 5 (Ages 8-11)
Middle : 3 years- Class 6 to 8 (Ages 11-14)
Secondary : 4 years- Class 9 to 12 (Ages14-18)
NEP also focuses on 21st Century skills and technological development. Thus, students of class 6 and onwards will be taught coding.
HRD Ministry to be renamed as Education Ministry
Burden and pressure of Board exams will be reduced. Board exams can be conducted in two parts- Objective & Descriptive.
“Curriculum content will be reduced in each subject to its core essentials, to make space for critical thinking and more holistic, inquiry-based, discovery-based, discussion-based, and analysis-based learning.”
“In all stages, experiential learning will be adopted, including hands-on learning, arts-integrated and sports-integrated education, story-telling-based pedagogy, among others, as standard pedagogy within each subject, and with explorations of relations among different subjects.”
“The three languages learned by children will be the choices of States, regions, and of course the students themselves, so long as at least two of the three languages are native to India.”
No Hard & Fast separation of Streams- Students will be provided with much more flexibility and freedom in choosing the subjects they want to study. “Students will be given increased flexibility and choice of subjects to study, particularly in secondary school - including subjects in physical education, the arts and crafts, and vocational skills – so that they can design their own paths of study and life plans.”
"While students must have a large amount of flexibility in choosing their individual curricula, certain subjects, skills, and capacities should be learned by all students to become good, successful, innovative, adaptable, and productive human beings in today’s rapidly changing world.”
Indian Sign Language (ISL) will be standardized across the country.
"Students will be taught at a young age the importance of “doing what's right”, and will be given a logical framework for making ethical decisions.”
Education Sector to get 6% of GDP.
NTA will setup a Common Entrance Exam. “The National Testing Agency (NTA) will work to offer a high-quality common aptitude test, as well as specialized common subject exams in the sciences, humanities, languages, arts, and vocational subjects, at least twice every year.”
NEP also acknowledges the need of trained teachers for Special and Divyang kids.“Such teachers would require not only subject-teaching knowledge and understanding of subject-related aims of education, but also the relevant skills for understanding of special requirements of children.”
A single regulatory body will be setup for the entire higher education (excluding legal and medical education)- Higher Education Commission of India.
Vocational Study will be given more focus in school education.
The undergraduate degree will be of either 3 or 4-year duration, with multiple exit options within this period, with appropriate certifications. Example- A certificate after completing 1 year in a discipline including vocational and professional areas, or a diploma after 2 years of study, or a Bachelor ’s degree after a 3-year programme.
An Academic Bank of Credit (ABC) shall be established which would digitally store the academic credits earned from various recognized Higher Education Institution so that the degrees from an HEI can be awarded taking into account credits earned.
The 10+2 structure of school education will be replaced with a new 5+3+3+4 structure covering ages 3-18.
Foundation : 3 years- Anganwadi/ Preschool/Balvatika (Ages 3-6) 2 years- Class 1 & 2 (Ages 6-8)
Preparatory : 3 years- Class 3 to 5 (Ages 8-11)
Middle : 3 years- Class 6 to 8 (Ages 11-14)
Secondary : 4 years- Class 9 to 12 (Ages14-18)
NEP also focuses on 21st Century skills and technological development. Thus, students of class 6 and onwards will be taught coding.
HRD Ministry to be renamed as Education Ministry
Burden and pressure of Board exams will be reduced. Board exams can be conducted in two parts- Objective & Descriptive.
“Curriculum content will be reduced in each subject to its core essentials, to make space for critical thinking and more holistic, inquiry-based, discovery-based, discussion-based, and analysis-based learning.”
“In all stages, experiential learning will be adopted, including hands-on learning, arts-integrated and sports-integrated education, story-telling-based pedagogy, among others, as standard pedagogy within each subject, and with explorations of relations among different subjects.”
“The three languages learned by children will be the choices of States, regions, and of course the students themselves, so long as at least two of the three languages are native to India.”
No Hard & Fast separation of Streams- Students will be provided with much more flexibility and freedom in choosing the subjects they want to study. “Students will be given increased flexibility and choice of subjects to study, particularly in secondary school - including subjects in physical education, the arts and crafts, and vocational skills – so that they can design their own paths of study and life plans.”
"While students must have a large amount of flexibility in choosing their individual curricula, certain subjects, skills, and capacities should be learned by all students to become good, successful, innovative, adaptable, and productive human beings in today’s rapidly changing world.”
Indian Sign Language (ISL) will be standardized across the country.
"Students will be taught at a young age the importance of “doing what's right”, and will be given a logical framework for making ethical decisions.”
Education Sector to get 6% of GDP.
NTA will setup a Common Entrance Exam. “The National Testing Agency (NTA) will work to offer a high-quality common aptitude test, as well as specialized common subject exams in the sciences, humanities, languages, arts, and vocational subjects, at least twice every year.”
NEP also acknowledges the need of trained teachers for Special and Divyang kids.“Such teachers would require not only subject-teaching knowledge and understanding of subject-related aims of education, but also the relevant skills for understanding of special requirements of children.”
A single regulatory body will be setup for the entire higher education (excluding legal and medical education)- Higher Education Commission of India.
Vocational Study will be given more focus in school education.
The undergraduate degree will be of either 3 or 4-year duration, with multiple exit options within this period, with appropriate certifications. Example- A certificate after completing 1 year in a discipline including vocational and professional areas, or a diploma after 2 years of study, or a Bachelor ’s degree after a 3-year programme.
An Academic Bank of Credit (ABC) shall be established which would digitally store the academic credits earned from various recognized Higher Education Institution so that the degrees from an HEI can be awarded taking into account credits earned.
