The government had commenced the process of formulating a New Education Policy through the consultation process for an inclusive, participatory, and holistic approach; which took expert opinions, field experiences, empirical research, stakeholder feedback, and lessons learned from best practices into consideration.
As stakeholders, it is important that we deep dive to understand what short-term and long-term implications it would have on the ecosystem. Let us begin from the start.
So what really is NEP?
NEP is a comprehensive framework for primary to higher education as well as vocational training in both rural and urban India. This is an all-inclusive policy that aims to guide the development of education in the country.
To put in simple terms, this policy is to provide all Indians with better quality of education contributing an equitable and vibrant knowledge base to the society in such a way that it develops a deep sense of respect towards the fundamental rights, duties, and Constitutional values.
By including all layers of the country, the policy aims to intensify the concept of ‘One-India’ building a strong bond and connection within the country.
What does the new NEP 2020 aim at?
It envisions an education system that contributes to an equitable and vibrant knowledge society, by providing high-quality education to all. It also intends to instill skills, values, and outlook that supports responsible commitment to human rights and well-being, thereby enabling our students to grow into a truly global citizen.
Why was a new policy required?
A new policy generally comes along every few decades; the first came in 1968, the second in 1986 and the third released this year on 29 July 2020. The new education policy replaces the 1986 policy which was there for the last 34 years. Safe to assume that the older policy had in fact become archaic and needed fundamental changes to reflect the fast-evolving 21st-century world.
The Key Takeaways of the NEP 2020 are – New pedagogical and curricular structure of school education (5+3+3+4), Target to dismantle UGC and AICTE, Introduction of a four-year multidisciplinary undergraduate program with multiple exit options, laying emphasis on “easier” Board exams, a reduction in the syllabus to retain “core essentials” and thrust on “experiential learning and critical thinking”, and last but not the least – targeting to phase out all institutions offering single streams and that all universities and colleges so as to become multidisciplinary by 2040.
After a day NEP was announced, Ramesh Pokhriyal (Minister of Education) said, ” We have placed more emphasis on arithmetic, çonsidering the opinion of scientists that 85% of brain development of kids takes place in the age of 3 to 6 years,” adding “We have also decided to do away with 10+ 2 system and introduce 360-degree holistic evaluation. Our goal is to connect 100% children with the education system till 12th, as the new education policy aims at fulfilling the vision of a new India”.
He also stressed the point that the NEP will strengthen basic education along with developing children’s mental faculties to prepare them for global competition.
Furthermore:
- Continuous tracking of learning outcomes of each child
- Assessment to focus on core concepts, higher-order, and foundational skills
- AI-based software to help track the progress of the students to enable them to make optimal career choices.
- The holistic progress card will actively involve parents in their children’s education and development.
- 360-degree multidimensional report
