The New Education Policy-2020

India has waited long since 1986 for Education policy to come its way. The New Education Policy (NEP) has been approved by the Union Cabinet on 29th July 2020. It proposes sweeping changes in School and Higher Education. Replacing the 34-year old education system, the New Education Policy aims to propel the Education system to global standards to create a new benchmark.

Key Highlights of New Education Policy-2020

1. School Education:

The existing 10+2 pattern structure of the school education system is replaced by the "5+3+3+4" design.

The first five years corresponds to the age group of (3-8) years known as the Foundational stage, which includes the first 3 years of pre-primary school and 2years of class 1st and 2nd. In this stage, more focused will be on multi-level, play activity-based learning.

The next three year corresponds to the age group of (8-11) years known as the Preparatory stage from class 3rd to 5th, this stage will be focused on play, discovery, activity-based and interactive classroom learning.

The next three years corresponds to the age group of (11-14) years known as the Middle stage from class 6th to 8th, where experimental learning in Science, Maths, Arts, Social Science, Humanities will take the centre stage.

The final and the Last stage corresponds to the age group of (14-18) years known as the Secondary stage from class 9th to 12th, where multidisciplinary study, greater critical thinking, flexibility and student choice of subjects will be provided which means the student gets to choose from Arts, Humanities, Science or between Vocational or Academic streams they wish to study. 

 

Moreover, All students will take 3rd, 5th and 8th-year exams which will be taken by the competent authority. Board exams for Grade 10th and 12th will be continued, but they will be of low stake. The focus will be on concepts and knowledge application. Students will be given a second chance in these exams to improve their score. Students will also be given the choice to choose from the advance level or medium-level exam test for themselves. Co-curriculum and vocational subjects like sports, music etc will be treated at the same level as Science and Commerce.

2. Higher Education:

The New Education Policy proposes dismantling of the UGC and the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) and replace it with a single overarching umbrella body known as the Higher Education Commission of India(HECI) excluding Medical and Legal education. It also states an introduction of a four-year multidisciplinary undergraduate programme with multiple exit options which means if a student chooses to leave the course after only completing one year the student will be awarded a 1year certificate and for completion of two years, three years and four years of the course an Advance diploma, Bachelors degree and Bachelors degree with Research will be presented respectively.   

Masters of Philosophy (M.Phil) will be discontinued. Academic Bank of Credit will be introduced for digitally storing academic credits earned from Higher Education Institutions. Foreign colleges will be permitted to open in India.

3. Language: 

The New Education Policy promotes the Mother tongue as the medium of instruction. Wherever possible, the medium of instruction until at least Grade V, but preferably till Grade VIII will be Mother tongue, Local language or the Regional language. Three language formula will continue, where at least two of the three languages should be Indian but no language should be imposed on anyone.

4. Teachers:

The New Education Policy places the teacher at the centre of the fundamental reforms in the education system. Without improving the way teachers are trained, it will be difficult to improve the quality of education. Therefore, Teacher Eligibility Tests to be strengthened, to include better test materials, to reflect a score that will be taken into consideration during recruitment. A classroom demonstration or interview will be an integral part of teacher hiring at schools. By 2030, the minimum degree qualification for teaching will be a 4-year integrated B.Ed Degree. A minimum 0f 50 hours of participation in regional, state, nation and international workshops is required in a year to help develop their skills and knowledge.

All these are the main changes in The New Education Policy 2020. It is an attempt to address most of the grievances of the education system.