Recently, the Union Cabinet Ministry of Indian Government has put a seal on the approval of the new National Education Policy 2020. This policy, mostly known as (NEP) – 2020, has the aim of making “India a global knowledge superpower”. Information and Broadcasting (I & B) minister Prakash Javedkar and Human Resource Development (HRD) minister Ramesh Pokhiyal has announced this National Education Policy 2020 on Wednesday, 29th July.
Legacy of National New Education Policy 2020
National New Education Policy 2020 is all set to to replace the 34 years old National Education Policy. In 1986 it framed for the first time. Prime Minister Narendra Modi reviewed India’s education policy on 1st May of this year. Wherefore, K. Kasturirangan, a panel of education experts headed by ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) chief prepared the draft of this policy.
From school to college level, NEP-2020 will introduce several changes in the entire education system of our country. This policy is keen to establish a new way of thinking and that is different from our previous education system. Some of the important highlights of the National Education Policy 2020 are here in details.
Highlights :
- Restructuring 10+2 school curriculum into 5+3+3+4 curricular structure
- Setting up a single regulatory body (HECI) for the entire higher education system
- No rigid separations between Science, Commerce, Arts
- Several entries and exit options in the 4-year degree course
- Common-entrance examinations for universities
- Discontinuation of MPhil Programmes
Let’s have a look at the Key Points of the new National Education Policy 2020. Know the changes in detail here –
Redesign school education structure
According to the National Education Policy 2020, a new 5+3+3+4 academic structure will replace the current 10+2 system. Students will spend three years in pre-school and 12 years in school. Check-out 5+3+3+4 system in brief –
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Foundational Stage (5 years) – For the age group of 3-8 years
First of all, the school will offer play and activity-based learning for the first five years of a student. Therefore, a 3-years of pre-schooling and 2-years of primary schooling will develop the mental capabilities of a child in this phase.
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Preparatory Stage (3 Years) – For the age group of 8–11 years
Students will get to play and discover through these 3 years of learning. They will also get activity-based interactive classroom learning sessions .
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Middle Stage (3 Years) – For the age group of 11-14 years
In the middle stage of schooling the students will learn about whatever they wish to know. Sections of arts, Humanities, Social science, Mathematics, and experiential learning in science will be open for them.
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Secondary Stage (4 Years) – For the age group of 14-18 years
Basically, in this phase, there will be no rigid separations between Science, Commerce, and Arts. However, students will be able to choose the subjects according to their passion, need, and whatever they want to learn. Thus, the subject choice will become more flexible. And this multidisciplinary will make them able for problem-solving and critical thinking.
With this open schooling system, National Education Policy 2020 has also a separate plan. Through this, they want to bring back those 2 crores students into the mainstream who left the schools.
No more dropouts as FYUP Programme Returns
National Education Policy 2020 will propose a 3 or 4 years undergraduate degree course with multiple exit options. Students will get a one-year vocational training certificate after one year of study. They will also get a diploma certificate after completing two years of the course. And finally, after completing the three-year program they will receive a Bachelor’s Degree.
Regional Language as a medium of instruction
NEP-2020 recommends ‘Three-Language Formula’ but they will not make it compulsory for the students. The new education system will set the regional language as the medium of education. Even the students can choose their mother tongue as the medium of learning.
More focus on early childhood education and care
As per this policy, a pre-schooling class will cover at least one year in all primary schools in India. Mainly it will be applicable for the schools of the disadvantaged and dominated areas. This pre-schooling phase will bring the children of 3 to 6 years under the school curriculum structure.
Redesign board exam in low stakes testing method
With this National Education Policy 2020, Class 10 and 12 board examinations will become easier. Thus, all the students will be able to appear in the board examination twice.
Common-regulation of HECI for the entire higher education system
Firstly, Higher Education Commission of India (HECI) will set up as a common-regulator body for the entire higher education. But it will exclude legal and medical-education. Additionally, the same set of norms will be mandatory for all higher education institutions whether it is private or public. The norms will be applicable for academic standards, regulation, and accreditation.
Encourage vocational education in school-level
Students of grades 6-12 will learn some vocational subjects at their school level. Local communities or states will choose the vocational subjects according to student’s needs. Finally, these vocational-training programs help them to become self-reliant, improve their skills, and productivity.
Expanding national scholarship portal
The new education system will offer a large number of scholarships. And it will also offer free ships for their meritorious students belonging to SC, ST, OBC, and financially non-creamy layer.
A 4-year curricular structure of B.Ed degree
National Education Policy 2020 will redesign the B.Ed degree course for 4-years. For this, the structure will become more comprehensive and integrated. Thus, a 4-year B.Ed degree will be the minimum qualification for being a teacher.
Conclusion:
The government wants to introduce this new education policy before the new session of this year. Moreover, there is a possibility of starting this from 2021-22 academic years. But, due to the Corona virus Disease (Covid-19) outbreak, the new academic session will begin in September or October. But, at first the Central Government-funded institutions will adopt this new norms. Then, the whole education system will gradually come under this National Education Policy 2020.