The National Education Policy 2020

After 34 years, India gets it holistic, flexible, multidisciplinary education policy. The new Policy aims for Universalization of Education from pre-school to secondary level with 100% GER in school education by 2030.

On 29^th July, 2020, the Cabinet approved the National Education Policy 2020 (NEP), paving way for transformational reforms in school and higher education systems in the country. The Policy replaces the 34-year old National Policy on Education (NPE), 1986. Its foundation is laid on the pillars of Access, Equity, Quality, Affordability and Accountability and is aligned to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and aims to transform India into a vibrant knowledge society and global knowledge superpower.

In the new policy, Board Exams shall test core concepts and application of knowledge. Every Child will come out of School adept in at least one Skill. There would be Common Standards of Learning in Public & Private Schools.

Key Takeaways

• Ensuring Universal Access at all levels of school education

NEP 2020 emphasizes on ensuring universal access to school education at all levels – pre- school to secondary. It aims to provide infrastructure support, innovative education centres to bring back dropouts into the mainstream, tracking of students and their learning levels, facilitating multiple pathways to learning involving both formal and non-formal education modes, association of counsellors or well-trained social workers with schools, open learning for classes 3, 5 and 8 through NIOS and State Open Schools, secondary education programs equivalent to Grades 10 and 12.

• Early Childhood Care &Education with new Curricular and Pedagogical Structure

With emphasis on Early Childhood Care and Education, the 10+2 structure of school curricula is to be replaced by a 5+3+3+4 curricular structure corresponding to ages 3-8, 8-11, 11-14, and 14-18 years respectively.

• Attaining Foundational Literacy and Numeracy

Recognizing Foundational Literacy and Numeracy as an urgent and necessary pre-requisite to learning, NEP 2020 calls for setting up of a National Mission on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy by the Ministry of Human Resource Development (MHRD).

• Multilingualism and the power of language

The policy has emphasized mother tongue/local language/regional language as the medium of instruction at least till Grade 5, but preferably till Grade 8 and beyond. Sanskrit to be offered at all levels of school and higher education as an option for students, including in the three-language formula. Other classical languages and literatures of India shall also be available as options. However, no language will be imposed on any student.

• Assessment Reforms

NEP 2020 envisages a shift from summative assessment to regular and formative assessment, which is more competency-based, promotes learning and development, and tests higher-order skills, such as analysis, critical thinking, and conceptual clarity. All students will take school examinations in Grades 3, 5, and 8 which will be conducted by the appropriate authority. Board exams for Grades 10 and 12 will be continued, but redesigned with holistic development as the aim. A new National Assessment Centre, PARAKH (Performance Assessment, Review, and Analysis of Knowledge for Holistic Development), will be set up as a standard-setting body.

• Equitable and Inclusive Education

NEP 2020 aims to ensure that no child loses any opportunity to learn and excel because of circumstances of birth or background. Special emphasis will be given on Socially and Economically Disadvantaged Groups (SEDGs) which include gender, socio-cultural, and geographical identities and disabilities.

• Robust Teacher Recruitment and Career Path

Teachers will be recruited through robust, transparent processes. Promotions will be merit-based, with a mechanism for multi-source periodic performance appraisals and available progression paths to become educational administrators or teacher educators. A common National Professional Standards for Teachers (NPST) will be developed by the National Council for Teacher Education by 2022, in consultation with NCERT, SCERTs, teachers and expert organizations from across levels and regions.

Major Reforms

• New National Curriculum Framework for ECE, School, Teachers and Adult Education
• Board Examination will be Low Stakes, Based on Knowledge Application
• Medium of Instruction till at least Grade 5, and preferably till Grade 8 and beyond in Home Language / Mother tongue/ Regional Language
• 360 degree Holistic Progress Card of Child
• Tracking Student Progress for Achieving Learning Outcomes
• National Professional Standards for Teachers (NPST)
• Book Promotion Policy and Digital Libraries
• Transparent online self disclosure for public oversight and accountability

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